Author: James Richardson

Stretford Paddock fall to a 1-0 defeat away at Moore United in a game featuring a lot of our U21s after an impressive campaign from the youth side as Paddock looked to close the season on a high after todays result all but confirming that Paddock will still be playing League 2 football next season.

Paddock produced a changed line-up from last weeks 0-0 stalemate at home to Sanbach Town with 8 U21 players entering the squad after an okay campaign for the youngsters what saw them finish 11th in the league. The side saw Coleman and Bell return to the midfield

The early part of the game was dominated by Paddock who were passing there way round the Moore United midfield but they couldn’t turn any of their attacks into massive chances. Paddock first major chance fell to Josh Mbala as the tricky winger danced his way into space on the edge of the box but the shot lacked conviction so it ended up slowly rolling into the keepers hands.

The opening 15 minutes were all Paddock with Moore United only threat coming through one of their pacy wingers but neither side could turn attacks into chances.

After 30 minutes the game became more open as the hosts finally began to hold onto the ball a bit more but as the tale of the whole first half has been neither side has really made the keepers work with both defences putting in good performances in the 1st half. Just before the end of the half terrific play by Paddock just on the outside of the box lead to a shot from the midfield but it could only bounce into the keepers arms.

Moore would than create their own massive chance as another cross is driven in what was missed by Taylor in goal but luckily didn’t find its way to a Moore player so it was quickly cleared and Paddock survived a late scare.

The final chance of the half fell to Paddock as a foul just outside the box saw Burke try and curl the ball into the top corner but it just went wide of the post

Half Time: Moore United 0-0 Stretford Paddock

The second half followed the same trend as the first half with Paddock wasted chances begin to pile high as another freekick this time by Walsh was sent over the bar

But it would be Moore who break the deadlock after a poor pass back from Oatt left Taylor in no mans land saw the Moore striker head home the ball and give them a 1-0 lead against the run of play.

On the hour mark Paddock made 2 changes as they tried to search for the equaliser as Teddy Ojijo and Victor Iyumva replaced Coleman and Iyamu in the midfield.

Since the substitutions Moore began to create more chances after another poor defensive pass allowed the hosts to cross the ball into the middle but luckily for Paddock it went just over the head of the oncoming attacker

With Paddock still struggling to convert any chance they get Howson decided to roll the dice once more with Mbala being replaced by Ospina to try and salvage a needed point just as we entered the final 20.

As we entered the final 10 minutes Paddock finally began to put their foot on the gas by finally creating shooting chances as Paddock found themselves constantly in Moore United box but the resulting shots were either too weak or being sent over the bar.

Paddock big chance came just before 90 minutes as a corner was whipped in by Burke saw Oatts shot saved by the keeper and Joao chance on the second cross sent high and flying summing up Paddock game today.

Full Time: Moore United 1-0 Stretford Paddock

Stretford Paddock win 4-3 over fellow promotion chasers Clay Brow FC in an excellent comeback victory to continue their promotion push into the final games of the season after massive goals from Walsh, Salmon and Oatt after a disappointing first half from the boys saw us go 2-0 behind to the visitors despite good chances.

Stretford Paddock return to the Butchers arms to face fellow promotion chasers Clay Brow FC in a top of the table clash. After a convincing 4-2 win over Haydock last week Paddock look to continue their fine form as they look to end the season on a high.

The last time the two sides met Paddock came out with the 3 points after a 2-1 win away from home after goals from Ryan Katumba and Joseph Coleman secured our victory.

Paddock coming off the back of last weeks victory make 2 changes to their side with Mason returning between the sticks and Mikey returning to fullback.

But the first chance would fall to Paddock as Walsh gets on the end of a ball over the top of the Clays defence but his lobbed attempt over the on rushing keeper kept rising and went over the bar.

After the opening 10 minutes Clay Brow found themselves higher up the pitch but couldn’t turn their pressure into a shot on goal with their winger only mustering a poor ball going straight out of play after winning the ball back on the bar line. Clay Brow first dangerous chance would come from a swift counter attack after some poor passing in the Paddock midfield the ball was eventually crossed in by the winger but the chance was blocked burke after the Clay striker tried to flick the ball into the bottom corner.

Despite visitors starting to dominate the proceedings Paddock still managed to create chances after brilliant team play moving the ball from defence to attack the ball managed to fall to Walsh just outside the box but poor connection saw the shot drag wide.

But the pressure from the visitors would pay off as after a poor pass from Coleman was quickly intercepted a cross was then swung into the box and a brilliant touch from their striker allowed him to smash the ball into the top corner giving Clay a deserved first half lead.

Only 7 minutes later Clay would find themselves 2-0 up after a ball played over the top finds it way to their number 12 who takes it round the keeper and slots it home in a dominant opening 20 for the visitors.

But it would only take 2 minutes for Paddock to respond to the setback after a brilliant whipped ball by Walsh finds the head of the captain who sends it into the bottom corner giving the keeper no chance halving the deficit at 2-1.

Paddock began to build pressure as they looked for an equaliser what didn’t take long as a scrappy few seconds in the box saw the ball eventually land at Salmons foot who could tap it home and draw the game level at 2-2 just before the end of the half.

But Salmon celebrations would be cut short as only a few minutes later an attempt at a bicycle kick saw him come down with an injury and the ref ends the half early to allow him to get treated.

Half Time: Stretford Paddock 2-2 Clay Brow

Clay would start second half the better side with the initial chance being saved by the keeper but follow up is deflected wide of the post despite handball claims by the Clay Brow players.

The first major chance would fall to Clay as a quick pass behind the defence finds the striker but Mason out quick and saves the shot to keep the game level.

Despite Clay dominating the opening 20 minutes of the half it would be Paddock who would take the lead for the first time this game after a brilliant pass from Salmon-Harris saw the ball fall to Walsh smartly put the ball into the bottom corner to give Paddock a 3-2 lead just as we enter the final 20.

Howson would than look to secure the lead as he brings on Mike Taylor to replace Joe Coleman so they can close out the game for the final part of the second half and secure the 3 points.

Despite that it wouldn’t take long for Paddock to grab a 4th as Walsh would run onto his own flick on before skipping past the keeper and tapping it home to give Paddock a two goal cushion as we entered the final 15 as Nosa comes on to replace Bell in midfield.

Poor defending from Mikey on the flank saw Clay score to make it 4-3 after a quick counter attack but fortunately for the Paddock fullback it was called for offside after the number 18 came back from an offside position.

despite almost suffering a set back Paddock continued to push for a 5th but were struggling to create any massive chances with the only shot falling to Taylor who can only send his effort high over the bar.

As we entered the final 10 minutes Callum Walsh departed the scene after a Man of the Match performance by the winger who was replaced by Josh Mbala.

The end to the 2nd half would be nervy for Paddock as a corner that’s headed out falls to the Clays winger who tries to volley it home and the resulting shot is deflected into the net giving Mason in goal no chance halving the deficit to 4-3 Paddock as we entered the last few minutes of the game.

In the last minutes of the game both teams had chances to change the result neither side could find that killer touch meaning the game ended in a Paddock Victory

Full Time: Stretford Paddock 4-3 Clay Brow FC