For the first time this season, Paddock have a chance to put a previous disappointment right when they face Mersey Valley this Saturday. It’s been almost a month since Paddock’s last league fixture yet, the club will be looking to make it 3 wins on the bounce in this weeks matchup.
Mid-Season friendly
Paddock have not played a league game since the end of last month, where they convincingly beat Hartford 3 goals to 1. Despite this, the lads have been training regularly and have managed to dust away some cobwebs with a preseason friendly last Saturday against Crewe FC Reserves.
Manager, Stephen Howson shared his thoughts on this week’s fixture:
“It’s nice to finally have a game. We aren’t really bothered about last week’s result as the progress in our style for play and attacking shape was great against Crewe.”
Paddock lost 3-2 away against Crewe FC, however the first half performance was full of positives. Tom Jones’ brace was taken brilliantly thanks to two brilliant balls from Salmon-Harris and De Andrade.
Mersey Valley
Mersey Valley hosted Paddock earlier this season and Ste’s lads went home frustrated. An effective Mersey Valley low block and some bad fortune meant that Paddock were sent home with only a point. The manager is looking forward to trying to put things right:
“It’s the first time we are playing opposition that we’ve played before, so I think we know what to expect. I am confident that if my lads do their job, we should come away with the three points.”
Mersey Valley currently sit second bottom of the division, only registering one win and two draws. Experience has thought Paddock however, that their opposition this weekend will be no push overs.
Team News
This week, Paddock are without two key men in the middle. Cam Watters and Kayode Adewale are unavailable for selection. Nosa Iyamu is also serving a suspension following his sending off against Hartford. Luckily for Stretford Paddock, the club has an array of top central midfielders. With Dom Molloy and Jainiero Salmon-Harris up for selection, coaches Ste and Bill are in safe hands.
Paddock have a big opportunity this weekend to build on solid base that they’ve recently formed. 3 wins from 3 will certainly send a message to the rest of the league – a message that the Paddock boys are ready to fight in the upper regions of the division.
🚨𝗙𝗜𝗫𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦🚨
We take on 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘆 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 for the second time this season after a 2-2 draw on 3rd Aug
📅 Sat 24th Sep
📍 Manchester Enterprise Academy, M22 9RH
⏲️ 3:00PM
⚽@CheshireFL
🎫 FREE#UpThePaddock pic.twitter.com/k2CVBRmbXj— Stretford Paddock FC (@SPaddockFC) September 23, 2022
This weekend’s fixture will be played at:
Manchester Enterprise Academy
Simonsway
Wythenshawe
Manchester
M22 9RH
Entry is free so get down and support the lads!
By Andre La Barbera