By Alfie Haigh

Stretford Paddock claim a much-needed victory in the Lancashire and Cheshire Leagues Rhodes Cup after thrashing Signol Old Boys 4-0. Despite the opponents’ efforts, Stretford Paddock were able to effectively display their plethora of style and skill, as they cruised through the match with multiple phases of fluent play.

The score line opened with an Okera Simmonds penalty in the 21st minute, after a blatant handball from the Signol Old Boys defender, with Simmonds sending the keeper the wrong way, with a drilled ball down the middle of the goal.

In the 33rd min Ronaldo brown doubled Stretford Paddocks goal tally after displaying good strength down the left wing, being able to beat his man, then beat the keeper with a near post finish.

A couple of attempts from Signol Old Boys closed out the first half, however neither effort was truly threatening. The first being a good turn but a poor shot from just outside the box, and the second a more distant, and wide longshot.

At half time, Manager Stephen Howson listed a clean sheet as the number one priority.

A 54th-minute freekick goal from Buckley-Ricketts all but put this game to bed, with a good effort being produced from the freekick, however, the attempt may have been aided by some questionable goalkeeping from the opposition.

From this point on, Stretford Paddock turned up the dial and created constant chances and pressure on the Signol Old Boys defence, a close chance at the 65th min from substitute Hamza Abuzour, which was just wide of the post. This was followed by an Okera Simmonds effort after tackling the goalkeeper, but unfortunately, a Signol Old Boys defender comes in at the last second and blocks a shot in the 66th minute.

Signol Old Boys “score” in the 68th minute, fortuitously for Stretford Paddock though, it is ruled as a foul on the Paddock goalkeeper and was disallowed.

Finally, in the 78th min Okera Simmonds displays some wonderous footwork to get around his man approximately on the halfway line, and blitzes down the left-wing, finishing the chance as he gets in the box, a beautiful solo effort.

A much-needed, and well-deserved 3 points for Stretford Paddock in The Rhodes Cup.

 

Highlights are ready to watch:

Will Hobson

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