Author: Chris Shipley

Zak Bell-ter Sends Paddock To The Summit

17 August 2024
Chris Shipley
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Categories: Report

Zak Bell-ter Sends Paddock To The Summit

A stunning first half volley from Zak Bell stole the show as Stretford Paddock claimed three important points against winless visitors Wigan Town.

Expectant Paddock supporters returned to the Project Solar Stadium for the second time in four days to celebrate the clubs inaugural Members Day. Many members used to opportunity to attend a game for the first time this season –  as did manager Stephen Howson returning from his three-match touchline ban.

Paddock made 3 changes to the team that faced Newton Athletic in midweek,  in came Joao De Andrade, Kayode Adewale and Janeiro Salmon-Harris, replacing Mike Taylor, Josh Mbala and pull up champion Vic Iyumva.

With photoshoots, flares and new giant flags in place to mark the occasion, Paddock supporters were acutely aware that defeat at home would be quite the humiliation after such a big prematch build-up. The team determined to serve the humiliation were opponents Wigan Town.

Wigan Town arrived at today’s game without a win after five Division Two games, picking up their solitary point of the season with a goalless draw against Maine Road Reserves. While they would likely start the game as underdogs, Wigan are much improved from the side that conceded large numbers of goals last season. Despite no wins so far in the 24/25 campaign, two of their defeats so far had been by just one goal. Fine margins.

If Paddock were not aware of how much Wigan had improved over the close season, they learned very fast as Wigan fashioned the first chance of the game after just six minutes. Wigan played a long diagonal pass from left to right which the Wigan wide man collected unchallenged. He carried the ball forward before slipping in his teammate with a through ball which he shot first time. But – as on many occasions this season – the outstretched left boot of Paddock stopper Florian Salecanu blocked the strike and blocked Wigan from taking a shock early lead.

Wigan’s effective energy levels made the first quarter of the game quite a gritty affair, with both sides committed to winning back possession fast but struggling to create chances of note. Paddock first clear sight of goal came from Janeiro Salmon-Harris who chose to strike a low drilled pass from Joao Andrade first time, but couldn’t keep it down. Despite very few clear chances, De Andrade was looking the most likely source, with his pace, and direct running down the Paddock right flank. However, the Wigan resistance was formidable for the opening thirty minutes and it looked like it would take something spectacular to break their resolve. Then it happened.

A poor corner from Paddock didn’t beat the first man on the near post, but the headed clearance looped out of the penalty area and onto the right boot of Zak Bell. From 25 yards out, he powerfully volleyed the ball back above a crowded penalty area, underneath the crossbar and crashing into the net. A genuine goal-of-the-season contender from Bell, scoring only his second Paddock goal on his 41st appearance. Paddock had enjoyed the bulk of the possession, but the goal was harsh on Wigan who had defended with great intensity. But just a few minutes later, they only had themselves to blame as Paddock doubled their lead.

The Wigan defence had possession of the ball in their own penalty area and under no pressure at all from the Paddock forwards, risked a cross field pass out of defence which went straight to Paddock winger Ronaldo Brown. With time and space, Brown steadied himself on the edge of the area, opened up his body and bent the ball into the far top corner in off the post. A really impressive and composed finish from Ronaldo for his first goal of the season.

The goal seemed to impact the Wigan team. They seemed suddenly disorganised and flustered giving away possession needlessly in dangerous areas. Paddock pressed on for more goals and Wigan attempted to hold on for the half time whistle to get reorganised.

Much to their relief the referee put a halt to the game without Paddock adding to the scoresheet and the two goal lead remained going into the break.

The break was just what Wigan needed, and it had exactly the impact they would’ve desired. They came out fully organised and full of energy and commitment.

Within four minutes of the second half, Wigan had their best chance of the game. Wigan played out nicely from defence, with a defender carrying the ball into midfield unopposed. From the half way line he slid a through ball to the alert Wigan forward who raced onto the pass. Paddock appealed for offside, but the referee indicated for play to continue. Wigan’s number nine bent the ball around the keeper and onto the base of the post and Paddock cleared. However, Paddock didn’t come away completely unscathed from this passage of play as Ronaldo Brown suffered a hamstring injury which meant he had to be replaced by Tayo Tek.

Wigan’s bright start to the second half just couldn’t find a breakthrough, and they were made to pay their price when Paddock took their next chance. Wigan’s hard work and admirable effort was undone by a poor pass from their defence when attempting to play out. The full back lost possession playing a blind pass on the edge of his own penalty area and the ball was collected by Kayode Adewale who bundled his way into the box brushing off the defender in the process. His low strike was impressively saved by the feet of the Wigan stopper, but the ball deflected into the air for a grateful Adewale to head in the rebound from close range.

The third goal of the day sealed the win for Paddock and Wigan seemed to acknowledge this as the energy on the field dropped. A rare foray forward after 70 minutes for Wigan was struck straight at Florian who made his final save of the afternoon to secure his second clean sheet in four Paddock appearances. Late substitute Victor Iyumva had a late chance in the dying stages to add a fourth, but his shot was hit directly at the keeper instead of finding its intended target.

Wigan Town left Manchester without any points or a goal to show for their valiant efforts. But they did leave with a great amount of credit from the 100+ in attendance for the vast transformation the team has enjoyed in the past few months. 

Stratford Paddock however continue their unbeaten start to the season, with three wins from four. The result elevated Paddock to the top of Division Two for the first time this season, ahead of St Helens Town on goal difference. 

But you don’t win anything in August!

 

Victory on the Road: Paddock Defeats Warrington Rylands

3 August 2024
Chris Shipley
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Categories: Report

Paddock claimed their first victory of the 2024/25 season with a hard-fought away win over a spirited Warrington Rylands Development side.

Stretford Paddock took to the field with two changes from their opening day stalemate with St Helens Town, with Kayode Adewale and Mike Taylor stepping up to replace Michael Olatunji and the unavailable Sam Pratt.

One week ago, Paddock started really poorly against St Helens and no doubt this was front of mind when Paddock opened the scoring after just three minutes. A perfectly weighted through ball from Janeiro Salmon-Harris split the Rylands defence and was picked up by Joao De Andrade at full speed. With his first touch, he diverted the ball across goal, away from the onrushing keeper and into the path of Mike Taylor to finish from close range. Surprisingly, despite some impressive cameo performances and key contributions from Taylor last season, this was his first goal for Paddock and he wouldn’t have to wait too much longer for his second.

After forty minutes Taylor almost doubled his tally direct from a free-kick which he curled expertly around the Rylands two man wall but frustratingly for Paddock whistled past the near post and out for a goal kick with the keeper at full stretch. Many people in attendance thought the shot was heading in, including four members of the Irish Supporters Club who travelled across to witness the first away game of the season for Paddock. They came expecting goals and Taylor seemed determined to meet their expectations.

With the first 45 drawing to a close – and the referee starting to think about ending the half – Taylor did get his second goal of the game. A move that started with goalkeeper Florian passing short into his defence, was spread wide to right back Alex Black who was making his first start for the club. From the half way line, he played a diagonal pass over the top of the Rylands defence into the path of Taylor who had beat the offside trap. With his left boot he cushioned the ball into his own path before dispatching the ball into the bottom right corner of the net. An excellently taken goal by Taylor and an impressive assist from Black on his full debut just as the referee signalled for the half time break.

The second half started in a similar vein to the first half, with wide men Ronaldo Brown and Joao De Andrade threatening the Rylands goal with their pace and direct running. A few moments into the half, the pressure told, as a strong run down the left side by Ronaldo left two defenders in his wake before he calmly rolled the ball into the path of Joe Coleman – who had made a third-man run from midfield – to add the finishing touch for Paddock’s third of the afternoon.

The third goal changed the game. The pace dropped and the intensity of the opening stages of the game seemed to blow away with the windy Warrington weather. Paddock seemed content to keep the ball without offering a threat and Warrington seemed content to let it happen. However, you could sense that the keep-ball session wasn’t going to plan as misplaced passes and poor decision-making was seeing Warrington Rylands repeatedly regain possession and create chances on the counterattack – and that’s exactly what happened for their first goal of the afternoon. A long clearance from the Warrington keeper was picked up by Michael Olatunji who beat his marker and played safely into Zak Bell in midfield. Zak then played a risky pass across the back line which was under hit into the path of the grateful Rylands forward who accepted the gift before shooting the ball into the bottom corner beyond a clearly frustrated Florian. Bell held up his hand in apology, a rare mistake from the midfielder who until this moment had put in a strong performance with near flawless ball retention. But lapses in judgement and concentration will be punished in this division as Paddock and others have learned to their cost on numerous occasions.

The Warrington goal changed the flow of the match completely. The game shifted on its axis. Warrington Rylands who had seemingly accepted the game was beyond them at 3-0 suddenly had their tails up, and felt they had enough time to get something from the game – and who could blame them? They were getting chances and Rylands positivity seemed to shock Paddock who appeared to lose their close control of the game which they had enjoyed for large spells. Rylands were galvanised and unrecognisable from the first half. Paddock were now facing an opponent with a very keen intention to get the ball forward with urgency and energy.

Paddock keeper Florian Salceanu who was largely untroubled in the first-half was forced into two key blocks as Warrington forwards raced towards goal after racing clear of the Paddock rearguard. He then showed tremendous athleticism to stretch to parry a shot from distance as Warrington looked to make the spell of pressure count. The game became stretched as both sides lacked any semblance of midfield control and opted to attack their opponent with only ten minutes remaining on the referees watch. But that was enough time for the flow of the game to change once more.

As one keeper excelled in one goal, another then provided a gift which ultimately settled the game as a contest. A full 25 yards from his own goal, the Warrington keeper received a return pass from his defender and – under pressure from Paddock sub Vic Iyumva – released the ball too slowly, lost possession leaving Joao De Andrade, with an empty goal (and a vacated penalty area) ahead of him. Joao punished the mistake to score his second goal in two games. Warrington’s spirited second half resistance was finally quashed and Paddock saw out the game at 4-1 to pick up a first win of the new season.

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