A late Omar freekick secures all three points for Stretford Paddock in a close fought game against St Helens Town in Openshaw.
After a disappointing defeat in their last match to Pilkington U23s. Paddock were looking to bounce back but a last-minute cancellation of their last game saw the side gain an extra week’s preparation as they enter an important string of home games.
Stretford Paddock lined up with an unchanged eleven from the side that featured in the defeat to Pilkington U23s with Katumba, Brown and De Andrade leading the line for the hosts.
The opening 3 minutes of the game were tight, but the first chance would fall to the visitors as a corner is fizzed to the edge of the box, but the shot was blocked and is caught by mason in goal.
Paddock first break would come in the 13th minute as Ronaldo played through Katumba, but the strikers cross into the box could only find the St Helens defender.
Paddock would continue to get chances as a header is sent over the bar after a Mikey freekick.
The remainder of the half would be even with both teams lacking that final pass, but the last shot would fall to Katumba who’s effort is blocked by the defender.
Half Time: Stretford Paddock 0-0 St Helens Town
Janeiro replaced Coleman just as the second half began in a midfield shake up as the hosts tried to show a bit more fight this half.
The opening exchange of the second half was tight but neither side really creating anything.
As we just passed the hour mark minute Kayode and Dom came on replacing Nosa and Zac as the gaffer was desperately trying to push for a winner
The first chance would also come after the hour mark with St Helens breaking down the flank, but a chipped effort could only go over the bar.
Katumba would have Paddock first chance of the half after an interception by Oates after some great pressing eventually finds its way to the striker, but his effort is brilliantly saved by the keeper.
Paddock continues to create big chances just before we enter the final 20 as Joao low driven shot is saved by the keeper as well.
The trend would continue as Katumba shot is again saved by the keeper as we enter the final 15 minutes.
The Deadlock is finally broken just before we enter the final 10 minutes as Omar dinks home a beauty of a freekick to give paddock the lead late on.
St Helens looked to instantly respond as a low cross is cleaned up by the defence resulting in a corner but that could only be sent out of play by the visitors.
As we entered the final five Joao was replaced by Mbala as Paddock tried to search for a second to kill the game off and secure the points.
St Helens would begin to start pressuring the Paddock defence with a flurry of crosses into the box, but no one could get on the end of them.
The chances would continue to fall to the visitors as a a shot from outside the box goes just wider after a bit of chaos in the box
In the 90th Ronny was replaced by Daryl to close the game out after an excellent outing for the winger.
Full Time Stretford Paddock 1-0 St Helens Town
This result pushes Paddock back up to 4th level on games with Pilkington U23s but remaining 4 points behind in their promotion push whilst still having a game in hand on 2nd place Winsford to try and slash their seven-point advantage.
WRITTEN BY JAMES RICHARDSON
