Author: Chris Shipley

Stretford Paddock came from behind in thrilling fashion to defeat Clay Brow 2–1. A late penalty from captain Joao De Andrade capped off a spirited second-half fightback.

First Half

The visitors, who began the match three points behind Stretford Paddock, raced out of the blocks to take the lead in the sixth minute. They capitalised on a sliced clearance from Michael Olatunji, which presented their striker with a one-on-one against loanee goalkeeper Rhys Holmes. Brow’s forward showed composure, lobbing Holmes before nodding into an empty net to give the visitors an early advantage.

Paddock refused to dwell on the setback, and Sam Pratt almost struck back immediately, though his close-range attempt was comfortably gathered by the Brow goalkeeper.

The home side found it difficult to break through Brow’s compact defensive shape, despite the best efforts of midfield duo Joe Coleman and debutant Joe McGuinness to feed the front line. To bypass the Lancashire outfit’s congestion through the middle, manager Stephen Howson instructed his side to use the flanks to stretch the play, an approach that soon began to bear fruit.

Most of Paddock’s threat came down the right-hand side, where captain Joao De Andrade drove forward and delivered a low cross into the box, finding Pratt. The striker’s first-time strike, however, was safely claimed by Brow’s number one. Moments later, right-back Luke Morris whipped in another inviting delivery toward Pratt, but the ball flashed agonisingly beyond his outstretched leg.

On the brink of half-time, Paddock had one final opportunity when De Andrade surged through the middle, slipping a perfectly weighted pass into Pratt. His low effort from the right-hand channel was once again collected by the alert goalkeeper, ensuring Brow held their lead at the break.

Second Half

Paddock began the second half brightly, with De Andrade again at the centre of their attacking play. The lively forward picked out Pratt inside the area, but his shot on the half-turn flew over the bar.

Despite maintaining the long-ball approach, Paddock struggled to create clear-cut chances. A half chance fell for Pratt outside the box when stand-in full-back Zack Bell flicked on his header into the striker’s path, though his rushed attempt fizzed past the left post.

Centre-back Sam Walker then tried his luck from distance, but his long-range strike was comfortably held by the visiting keeper as Brow continued to defend resolutely.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 85th minute. Academy starlet Kiefer Cole stepped up and produced a moment of pure quality, curling a stunning free-kick from the edge of the box over the wall and into the top right corner, sailing beyond the goalkeeper’s reach to level the score.

Just two minutes later, Brow almost hit back when a long ball broke Paddock’s offside trap. Their attacker looked destined to score, yet Olatunji’s superb recovery pace prevented what could have been a decisive goal.

Then came the crucial moment deep into stoppage time. Substitute Claudio Costa finally found a way for Paddock to unlock Brow’s compact defence, threading a perfectly weighted through ball behind their back line. It released top goalscorer Pratt, who had been a constant menace throughout the match. As he tried to round the goalkeeper, the man between the sticks brought him down, leaving the referee with little choice but to point to the spot.
With the home crowd holding its breath, captain fantastic De Andrade showed ice-cold composure from 12 yards, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and slotting low into the bottom-right corner to complete a dramatic turnaround.

It was a performance built on resilience and belief as Paddock ended their losing streak in style. Howson’s men showed real character to fight back after falling behind early and were rewarded for their persistence with two moments of late brilliance.

The result sees Stretford Paddock sitting fifth in the table, now six points clear of Clay Brow, and back in contention for promotion heading into the second half of the season.

It was a weekend full of goals and momentum across Stretford Paddock FC, with several sides turning in standout performances. While the first team remain without a fixture, the rest of the club kept standards high, from the Women extending their unbeaten run and the Amateurs fighting back for a valuable point, to the youth sides putting in dominant displays. The energy around the club continues to build as every team looks to carry their form into November.

Avro FC 1 – 5 Stretford Paddock FC Womens

The Stretford Paddock Women’s team continued to impress in their debut season for the club, securing a convincing 5–1 victory over Avro FC. After a strong first half, the team truly came alive after the break, showcasing their quality and determination. Martha Atkinson stole the show with a brilliant second-half hat-trick to claim the match ball. The result reflects the team’s excellent organisation and attacking flair, as they now sit top of the table with the best goal difference after seven games. It’s a fantastic start that highlights the growing strength and togetherness within the squad.

Rochdalians 2 – 2 Stretford Paddock Amateurs

Stretford Paddock Amateurs showed great resilience in their visit to Rochdalians on a fine autumn afternoon. After conceding twice in the first half, Paddock faced an uphill battle going into the break 2–0 down. However, the team responded superbly after half-time, with goals from Mouhamed Gueye and Khalid Kharufa earning a well-deserved point. The comeback demonstrated real determination and team spirit, highlighting the squad’s growing confidence and belief. The result leaves Paddock just above mid-table, but only three points off top spot, keeping them firmly in the title race.

Stretford Paddock Whites (Under 13) 16 – 0 Boundary Park

Stretford Paddock Whites U13 produced a dominant performance this weekend, running out 16–0 winners against Boundary Park. The team showed impressive attacking flair, with nine different players getting on the scoresheet, a testament to their teamwork and depth across the pitch. Oscar was named Man of the Match after an outstanding display that set the tone for the victory. Despite currently sitting 7th in the league, the side have three games in hand and look well placed to climb the table. With momentum building and a cup fixture on the horizon next week, confidence in the camp is clearly on the rise.

Middleton Lads and Girls 21’s 2 – 9 Stretford Paddock Under 18s

Stretford Paddock U18s continued their perfect start to the season with a commanding 9–2 win away at Middleton Lads and Girls 21s. On a tricky, soft surface, the team followed instructions well, keeping things simple at the back and pressing high to force mistakes. Early pressure from Harley Watson led to Phoenix opening the scoring, with further goals from Yunisa, Marshall, Edel, and Sonnie giving Paddock a 5–0 lead at half-time. Despite a brief lapse allowing Middleton to pull one back early in the second half, the lads quickly reasserted control with goals from Lewis, Harley, Phoenix again, and Yunisa to complete the rout. Although a late Middleton goal slightly spoiled the scoreline, it was another strong team performance full of attacking intent and discipline. The win keeps Paddock’s 100% record intact as they move confidently into November top of the table.

Stretford Paddock 2 – 1 Sandbach United Reserves

By Lloyd Griffin

Stretford Paddock extended their winning streak in extraordinary fashion, coming from behind late on to defeat Sandbach United Reserves 2–1. Paddock delivered a spirited finish to what was an unpredictable afternoon and one that showcased both resilience and resolve after a scrappy second-half spell.

First Half

Despite making enforced wholesale changes, including Stretford Paddock’s leading goalscorer Sam Pratt who was out due to sickness, the opening twenty minutes saw Paddock dictate possession with confidence. The home side moved the ball purposefully through midfield and switched play intelligently. Their control, however, was balanced by Sandbach’s lively counterattacks, which posed a constant threat whenever possession was lost.

An early warning came when a back-pass mix-up forced Paddock’s number 1, Salceanu to head clear under pressure, only for the visitors to pounce on the loose ball. Centre-half Michael Olatunji reacted brilliantly though, clearing off the line before Paddock were forced into another desperate stop from the resulting corner.

Moments later, Paddock nearly took the lead. A curling free-kick from 16-year-old Kiefer Cole crashed against the underside of the bar, with players and fans alike questioning whether it had crossed the line. Making his first start of the season, the young, exciting winger certainly made an impression early on with his energy and confidence on the ball. Just two minutes later, another set-piece from Cole sailed narrowly over as Paddock pushed for the breakthrough.

At the other end, Sandbach’s long throws continued to trouble the defence, one resulting in a free header comfortably gathered by the Paddock keeper, a reminder that the visitors remained dangerous from set plays.

As the half progressed, Paddock’s, Luke Morris came close from a 33rd-minute free-kick that skimmed just past the post, while Cole was forced off with an injury making it a major blow to Paddock’s first-half attacking rhythm. He was replaced by fellow under-18 starlet Noah Lawton, who looked to enter the fray with the same offensive intent as the youngster he replaced.

Sandbach had one final chance before the interval, breaking from a disappointing Paddock corner to create a two-on-one, only for the Spaniard between the posts to rush out and claim a loose ball bravely. Then, just before half-time, a last-ditch recovery from Olatunji once more denied Sandbach a clear route to goal.

 Goalless at the break, Paddock could feel pleased with their defensive effort but frustrated that their early dominance hadn’t produced a breakthrough.

Second Half

Sandbach started the second half with greater purpose and immediately carved out chances, one close-range effort flashing just wide of the right post. Paddock, by contrast, appeared sluggish in possession with their passing lacking sharpness, and the intensity of the first half began to fade.

A 48th-minute attempt from the opposition, struck from distance, flew over the bar, summing up a disjointed spell for Howson’s men. Moments later, however, Paddock’s lively Number 7, Joao De Andrade, drew a foul from his skilful turn which led to a dangerous free-kick. Mike Taylor’s long-range effort rattled the crossbar once again – the second time the woodwork had denied Paddock.

Despite those flashes, Sandbach continued to look dangerous on the break. A threaded through ball in the 60th minute sliced open Paddock’s high line, leaving the opponent’s striker one-on-one with Salceanu. Fortunately for Paddock, the forward lost his footing at the crucial moment, allowing the hosts to clear their lines and breathe a sigh of relief.

As the game became stretched, Paddock began to rediscover their rhythm. Damani Hall went close with a curling strike that fizzed past the top corner, but it was Sandbach who struck first moments later. A flowing move down the right ended with a low cross into their attacker, who swept home to make it 1–0 in the 63rd minute. A deserved lead after a spell of sloppy play from Paddock.

Howson responded by reintroducing the tricky Cole, alongside Ronaldo Brown, making his first appearance after a spell on the sidelines to inject fresh urgency. The change lifted the side, but finishing remained erratic. Efforts from Hall, Wilson, and Morris all flew narrowly off target as frustration began to grow in the home end.

The turning point arrived in the 85th minute. After a dominant passage of play, a Sandbach handball inside the area from our corner gave Paddock a lifeline. De Andrade stepped up and cooly dispatched his penalty into the bottom corner, past the goalkeeper’s outstretched arm and igniting belief around the ground.

With momentum shifting, Paddock surged forward. Taylor’s curling effort skimmed wide before Cole, now fully rejuvenated, produced a dazzling run, gliding past three defenders and delivering a teasing cross that begged to be finished. Once again, Cole was at the fulcrum of every Paddock attack.

Then came the moment of brilliance. Deep into stoppage time, Omar Sinclair stepped up with a firecracker of a free-kick from range. His thunderous effort flew past Sandbach’s stranded keeper who could only helplessly watch the ball glide into the top left corner. Sinclair capped off his first appearance of the season in dramatic fashion, sending Paddock’s supporters into ecstasy.

The victory sees Paddock move to within just three points of league leaders Daten, maintaining their upward momentum on the march toward the summit of the table.