Author: Jordan Hart

Stretford Paddock succumbed to a damaging 4-1 defeat at Openshaw Campus against fellow promotion hopefuls Winsford Town.

The defeat for paddock leaves them relying on other results for any chance to finish in the top two.

The opening ten minutes of the game saw an edgy affair as both teams looked to get a hold of possession without creating too much of an opportunity.

With a dozen minutes on the clock a calamitous error saw paddock gift the lead to Winsford. As the centre half played a long hopeful ball up field, a mix up between captain James Oatt and Mason Taylor allowed the Winsford attacker to pinch the ball and roll it into an empty net.

Paddock best opportunity of the half came after 20 minutes as Nosa Iyamu received the ball in the middle of the park before playing a faint through pass to Ryan Katumba inside the area, although the keeper was quick off his line to smother the shot and keep Winsford’s lead.

As the game entered the final third of the first half, Paddock seemingly fell apart. With Winger Joao De Andrade getting disposed in the full back position a cross whipped in front of the face of the goal was inadvertently turned into the net at the back post by Omar Sinclair.

With five minutes to go of the half Winsford on yet another attack took the ball down the by line before a cut back in the box saw a shot deflect towards the back post allowing the unmarked Winsford attacker a simple tap in.

Winsford with a corner in the final minute of the half played the ball to the back post as a scrambled clearance was hooked back in the six-yard box as it was calmly volleyed into the goal leaving paddock a mountain to climb.

Half time: Stretford Paddock 0-4 Winsford Town

Paddock with nothing to lose in the second half came out with much-changed formation and personnel.

The first chance of the half came after a quarter of an hour with Jaineiro Salmon-Harris driving through the middle of the park before laying the ball to Katumba on the edge of the area. Katumba controlled the ball before unleashing a curling effort which was well saved by the Winsford keeper.

Paddock pushed for goals and continued to create half chances as Winsford allowed the home team to maintain the ball.

With ten minutes left to go Salmon-Harris from inside his own half played a switch ball to De Andrade who drove down the left before crossing deep to far post with second half substitute Callum Walsh side footing his shot as the ball bounced over the keeper into the net.

The goal proved to be a mere consolation as both sides played out a dull end to the game failing to create any clear cut chances.

Full time: Stretford Paddock 1-4 Winsford Town

Stretford Paddock came from a goal down to beat Newton-le-willows 3-1 at Manchester college’ Openshaw Campus.

In the reverse fixture a flat paddock performance saw them surrender a two-goal lead and ultimately score a consolation in the closing minutes after the substitutions picked up the tempo.

A much-changed side from last weeks disappointing defeat saw under-21 player make his first start for club in an impressive performance.

With twenty minutes gone Paddock were forced into an early change as Katumba was replaced by Teddi Ojijo.

Paddock began to create chances as Ojijo won the ball on the hallway line before sliding a weighted pass down the left for Callum Walsh, as the winger drove into the box his flash at goal flew over the bar at the near post.

The best chance of the half occurred moments later, as Walsh won possession high up field prior to carrying the ball to the by-line. His cutback found Joao De Andrade in space and on the six-yard line, and his shot saved by the keeper looped up into the danger area where Ojijo tamely headed a golden opportunity into the grateful grasp of the Newton number 1.

With ten minutes to go before halftime Newton were gifted the lead as a long hopeful ball from the left side of the pitch floated over the paddock defence and as Mason Taylor came to collect the ball on the edge, the ball bounced over his head and dribbled into the back of the net.

Newton came close to doubling the advantage as a lovely interchange in the middle of the park saw a shot from the edge of the area well saved low by Taylor.

Halftime: Paddock 0-1 Newton-Le-Willows

The start of the second half began with paddock working the ball well as Newton attempted to disrupt the tempo at every opportunity.

The game began to turn as Paddock forced Newton on the back foot with ample opportunities, the best chance just after the hour mark fell to Paddock as Kayode Adewale shot from the edge of the box again ricocheted up in the danger area from the keepers save and with the goal gaping for the second time, De Andrade this time could only head it into the keeper’s hands.

With 25 minutes left to play and paddock desperately looking for a way back De Andrade pressed the Newton centre half and won the ball just outside the box before being dragged down inside the area, earning paddock a penalty and seeing the defender shown red.

Paddock began to get a lot of joy down the right as Walsh was gifted possession on the right before laying the ball off to Mikey Burke on the overlap, the full back steamed down the line and into the area until his low pass flashing across goal was turned into the back of the net to give paddock the lead.

Only a minute from taking the lead Paddock doubled their advantage as Burke played a ball through to Walsh on the right-hand side and with the winger in behind, he drove inside to create a scoring opportunity and calmly slid the ball under the keeper’s legs for Paddocks third goal in a little over ten minutes.

Paddock with a comfortable two goal lead and a man advantage played out the final quarter of an hour maintain possession without creating many chances.

Fulltime: Paddock 3-1 Newton-Le-Willows

Stretford Paddock defeated Maine Road Reserves by two goals to nil in a return to the Butchers Arms Ground, after last weekend’s 6-2 victory against Hoole Rangers saw the tie relocated due to pitch availability.

This was Paddock first game at the butchers arms since a 2-0 win over Hartford on the 28^th October, and a first league game since victory away at table toppers Clay Brow on the 18^th November. Due to adverse weather conditions causing postponements to all 4 scheduled league games in December.

The homecoming wasn’t all plain sailing, as the first quarter of an hour saw both sides struggle to maintain the ball and dictate the tempo.

The first chance of the game fell to Joao De Andrade after Jainiero Salmon-Harris played the ball inside the full back allowing the Paddock winger a chance one on one with the keeper before slicing his shot on a tight angle.

Maine Road had their best opportunity of the game on the half hour mark as a low corner dropped on the penalty shot, where the snapshot was side footed high and wide.

With just over five minutes before the break, Martin Flanagan had to be withdrawn, on a stretcher after a lengthy delay, due to a severe injury causing damage to his face following a collision when attempting to claim a cross.

The incident saw captain James Oatt put on the gloves as Eddie Fullwood moved to central defence with Richie Adjei coming on in full back.

Deep into added time of the first half, Paddock shifted the ball across the pitch to Ronaldo Brown on the right and a whipped cross fired at the ribs of Okera Simmonds saw the striker’s acrobatic flick at the front post saved low by the keeper.

Half-time: Stretford Paddock 0-0 Maine Road Reserves

The hour mark brought a change to paddock with Dom Molloy replacing Brown which saw paddock begin to gain control in midfield.

Nosa Iyamu attempting to get on the end of a pass through the middle saw him dragged down on the edge setting up a free-kick in a dangerous position for Paddock. Simmonds curled his shot delicately over the wall forcing the keeper into a good save.

Paddock’s control in the game started to tell as Burke played a ball down the left into the box for Simmonds, who was bundled over earning paddock a penalty with 15 minutes to go.

Approaching the final stages of the game Maine road were unable to create an opportunity to test makeshift keeper Oatt in goal.

Paddock sealed victory when Salmon-Harris won the ball high up the pitch to lay off Molloy who skipped through the defence and smashed the ball home from close range to double paddocks lead.

The victory sees Paddock climb to second ahead of a crunch match at home to Windsford FC next weekend.

Stretford Paddock advanced to the third round of the Northern Cup (following a bye in round one) after six second half goals overturned a 2-0 halftime deficit against Hoole Rangers.

Due to postponement of all scheduled matches in December largely down to adverse weather conditions, Paddock played for the first time since the end of November. A combination of missed chances and mistakes in the first half open up the lead. However, the lack of game time looked to be a factor as players tried to shake off the festive feelings.

The opening half an hour saw both sides miss good chance to take the lead. Paddock created the first opportunity of the game with Kieran Molloy crossing from the right, Hoole goalkeeper parried the cross towards the penalty shot with Nosa Iyamu picking up the loose ball his shot, blocked by the keeper fell to Zak Bell on the edge of the area, and a mistimed volley sailed wide.

Hoole Rangers this time down their right-hand side saw the ball floated the six-yard box before being met with a tame side footed touch into the arms of Martin Flanagan.

Left Winger Ronaldo Brown missed two successive chances in a five-minute period, both of which again created from the right. The first a cut back found Brown in space central of the area and his shot could only be directed at the keeper.

The second and the biggest chance of the game so far saw Brown found unmarked at the back past, with the goal at his mercy, however, could only glance his shot wide.

With half an hour gone Mikey Burke was found in the outside the area with a clever forward pass by Jaineiro Salmon-Harris, before sliding the ball through to Zak Bell and with just the keeper to beat Bell hesitated allowing the keeper to close down and midfielder and saving a poor effort.

Into added time of the first half Hoole were awarded a contentious freekick midway in the Paddock half. A high delivery into the area, attracted martin out of his goal and a miscued punch lopped backwards towards goal, to be tapped in and double the Hoole advantage.

Halftime: Stretford Paddock 0-2 Hoole Rangers

The beginning of the second half saw paddock gain a grip of the midfield areas and starting to control to play. Despite this, Hoole had a sight of goal with a drilled shot across goal which was comfortably saved low by Flanagan.

This moment inevitably proved to be Hoole’s last threat as the tide turned and the floodgates opened. Moments later from a Hoole corner Paddock opened their tally through a swift counterattack.

The ball fell to Salmon-Harris on the edge of the area, before a weighted pass into the path of Brown allowed the winger to set up the counterattack running the ball with pace down the left prior to slipping the ball inside to half time substitute Dom Molloy to delicately side foot the ball past the on-rushing keeper in the bottom.

Ten minutes later Paddock equalised, Brown again pick up the ball on the left passing it to Molloy [Kieran] on the edge of the area, holding the ball up allowed the runners and a blindside pass slipped the ball through to Joao De Andrade for an easy finish.

Seconds later Molloy [Dom] picked up the ball in the middle of the park and guided a pass through the middle of the defence where Brown rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into an open goal to turn the game around and ultimately take the lead.

A few minutes later the game looked to be settled as Molloy [Kieran] was found on the right-hand side, then drove with the ball into the corner of the box, and effortlessly cut the ball inside on his left allowing him space to smash the ball into the bottom corner.

Into the last moments of the game a well goal put the cherry on the cake, as Callum Walsh De Andrade linked up on the left until the latter played a pass inside to Salmon-Harris with the number nines touch laying off Coleman again on the edge of the area as the midfielder grabbed a brace by smashing it low into the far corner with a right footed strike.

Stretford Paddock boost promotion hopes following a hard-fought victory at top of the table Clay Brow FC.

Manager Stephen Howson stated that he was “really proud of them [the players]” as a gutsy performance saw Paddock win 2-1 which “will give the lads confidence”.

The early exchanges saw an end-to-end game develop with both sides creating half chances. Paddock had an early opportunity in the opening minutes with Kieron Molloy collecting the ball on the right before taking on his fullback and sliding a low cross in front of goal towards Ryan Katumba which was comfortably collected by the keeper.

Clay Brows best effort came with just over a quarter of an hour on the clock A free kick on the left of the field saw an outswinging delivery found its way through to the back post and a looping effort to help the ball back into the mix was calmly collected by Martin Flanagan.

Down the other end of pitch Paddock were presented with a gift to open the scoring. A defensive throw-in from clay brow in the corner, taken directly to the keeper Katumba was on hand to pinch the ball off the keeper and gratefully tap into an empty goal.

Paddock had a half chance to double their lead when goal scorer Katumba collected the ball backing into the defender, before rolling his marker and running onto the ball, however he dragged the shot from outside the area wide of the far post.

The pressure from Clay Brow started to grow, as the hosts created a number of opportunities, although the hosts failed to test Flanagan in the Paddock goal. Eventually Paddock found themselves with hearts in mouth, as with less than ten minutes of the first half Clay Brow had a penalty shout waved away, when Flanagan slid to clear away a drilled cross for a corner.

The resulting corner whipped away from goal saw a free header in the box from a Clay Brow centre half instinctively palmed over the bar by Flanagan for second consecutive set piece. This time the ball was met by a Paddock head but was cleared as far as the Clay Brow Number 6 who teased a cross towards the far post. As Flanagan looked to claim the cross the knockdown left the saw the Paddock keeper caught in no man’s land and the audacious effort from Clay Brow’s attacker waste the opportunity to level the game.

Clay Brow’s pressure ultimately led to an equaliser on the stroke of half time. Following a goal kick which was helped forward an effortless through ball caught out the Paddock defence on the back foot, with just the keeper to beat the Clay Brow striker gently slid the ball past the out rushing Flanagan.

Half-time: Clay Brow 1-1 Stretford Paddock

Within minutes of the restart Paddock restored their lead when midfielder and man of the match Joe Coleman scored his first goal for the club. Kieron Molloy picking the ball up on the right cut in field to prior to unleashing a shot which got blocked as far as Nosa Iyamu. His teasing cross found his midfield compatriot in the box to delicately side foot beyond the keepers reach to the far post.

The hosts found the ball in the back of the net when a pass into the box was smashed in the net, but the goal was immediately disallowed for an offside following the through ball.

With less than half an hour to go Clay Brow moved the ball around the box shifting the Paddock defence as they looked to create an opportunity. Eventually the gap opened up for a shot from range which rattled against the bar and the rebound was headed over.

The final twenty minutes of the game saw Paddock resolute in defence as they held on to stop Clay Brow creating clear cut chances to hold on for a massive three points in a thrilling encounter.

Stretford paddock came from behind to defeat Maine Road reserves 3-2 with a last gasp winner.

In the ninth minute of added time and with the game looking to be heading to a draw. Nosa Iyamu showed great strength to hold up the ball before playing through Okera Simmons.

With just the keeper to beat the striker passed the selflessly passed the ball across goal to Gabriel Fernando who tapped in from close range into an empty net to spark jubilant scenes amongst players and staff alike.

The victory only glossed over what was a fairly disappointing performance with manager Stephen Howson, stating the performance was “not good enough and not acceptable.”

Paddock almost fell behind in the opening moments as they struggled to contain the Maine Road striker. A long punt from the keeper sent the striker in on goal who then cut the ball back for the number 11 who scuffed his shot straight at keeper Martin Flanagan.

Paddock had a better chance when Gavin Salmon’s snapshot was saved by the foot of the keeper following Callum Walsh’s run across goal.

Shortly before the midway point of the first half Paddock opened the scoring when Ronaldo Brown took the ball down the wing, his accurate cross found Salmon on the edge of the area and with a gently controlled to settle the ball for Iyamu latched onto the ball to effortlessly curl his shot past the keeper as it clipped the inside of the post before hitting the back of the net.

Controversy followed when a long through ball to the Maine Road striker, who appeared to be in an offside position, swiftly gained possession leaving himself with just Flanagan to beat. Before sitting him down and calmly rolling the shot into the vacant goal.

Barely five minutes later Paddock found themselves again when the Maine Road striker, again looked to be offside received a delicately played through ball. His shot this time struck the foot of the post and rebounded out to the ever so grateful right back who made no mistake by smashing the ball into the back of the net.

Half time: Maine Road reserves 2-1 Stretford Paddock FC

Early in the second half Iyamu picked up the ball on the corner of the area prior to driving towards goal before he was clattered into, earning himself a penalty. The midfielder dusted himself off and coolly placed the ball into the bottom left corner, despite the best effort of the keeper who dived the right way.

Maine road earned a penalty when Ritchie Adjei cynically chopped down the Maine road attacker in the box as he was set unleash. The penalty stuck with good power was brilliantly saved by Flanagan in the bottom right corner.

Paddock had a spurn of belief following Flanagan’s heroics and created chance after chance however failed to capitalise and ss the game headed into added time Callum Blanchard tripped the Maine Road winger on the edge of the box as he cut inside shaping up to shoot. The resulting freekick was well hit and Flanagan again expertly saved to keep the game level.

Paddock again believed the game was there to be win and threw everything at it in an attempt to win the game. However, got denied by an instinctive save from Simmons close range effort and Walsh who shot wide of the target stretching for the ball. What followed then was arguably Paddock’s luckiest and most inspiring moment of the season which could prove to be vital in their push for promotion.

In a game of two halves Stretford Paddock defeated old enemies North Walkden Reserves, to advance to the quarter finals of the Manchester FA Saturday Amateur Cup.

Before Paddock graced the Cheshire premier League 2, they faced North Walkden when both sides competed in the Lancashire and Cheshire league. However, this time with a lot more at stake.

Paddock desperately looking to put together a good performance following previous weeks poor showings, will be disappointed with the start they gave.

Offering chances to Walkden early on they can consider themselves lucky not to fall behind. With only minutes on the clock North Walkden winger dragged the ball inside on the corner of the box before sliding the ball at the back post where the opportunity to tap in was missed after the ball fizzed by the attacker running in at the far post.

Before the 20-minute mark Walkden again had the chance to take the lead, when a flicked ball over the defence left a one-on-one with Martin Flanagan, although the effort was tamely volleyed straight at the keeper.

Walkden’s best chance of the match came moments later when James Oatt lost the ball in defence and with the striker bearing down on goal, the shot evaded the far post to spare the blushes of the Paddock centre half.

Paddock started to grow into the game and created a few chances before the break with, and almost took the lead on the stroke of the halftime. Zak Bell collected the ball just inside the Walkden half, before playing a punt over the Walkden defence. With the keeper missing the opportunity to claim at the far post Gavin Salmon’s control evaded the striker to find the side netting.

Half-time: North Walkden Reserves 0-0 Stretford Paddock FC

A few half chances saw Paddock take a slight control of the game although with the match looking destined for penalties, it was the fortune of two substitutes that turned the game.

With only 15 minutes left on the clock Kayode Adewale, who was dropped to the bench for arriving late, nicked the ball from the Walkden Central defender before being brought down just inside the area to earn paddock a spot kick.

Halftime substitute Nosa Iyamu, who also got dropped to the bench, stepped up. Following last week’s successful penalty on his birthday. The midfield man picked the same spot to send the keeper the wrong way.

Moments later Paddock should have been two up when Kayode took the ball down the left before drilling a cross low in front of goal, and with the empty net staring Joao De Andrade in the face, he blazed his shot over the bar from two yards out.

With only a few minutes left on the clock Joao redeemed himself to make sure of the result. Following Nosa’s threaded pass to find the winger on the left Joao ran along the by line before smashing the ball at the keeper who could only parry the shot into his own net.