Author: Mitul Mistry

Stretford Paddock ran riot on the weekend, dismantling Old Stretfordians 9-1 this weekend to progress to the semi-finals of the Rhodes Cup, to aid Paddock’s pursuit of silverware this season. This victory was Stretford Paddock’s biggest margin of victory in their short history and one of the most impressive performances ever. Seven of the nine goals came in a ruthless second-half display, representing the difference in fitness between the two sides. Setting up Paddock for a potential collision course with fellow top of the league rivals De La Salle in a highly anticipated semi-final clash..

Postgame, Howson described how delighted he was with the performance of his side and the ruthlessness they showed, something he has often been critical of this season.

However, attention now turns to the huge league clash next week against Moston Brook, where nothing but a victory will do in the toughest league game remaining this season, and we’ll have all the build-up to the game later on in the week.

Stretford Paddock  progress to the next round of the Rhodes Cup, but they did make hard work of it, only being able to settle the tie in the dying embers of the game, something that has become a force of habit for Howson’s men this year. The playing conditions were far from ideal as it was touch and go, whether the game was even going to go ahead, the combination of rain and wind made conditions an absolute nightmare, and it showed during the game. Paddock struggled to find any real patterns of play and playing rhythm. The conditions were a massive equaliser in what was anticipated as being a comfortable game for the visitors. However, in what was an unconvincing performance, Paddock did scrape through with a 3-2 win and will be eager to put the performance behind them and be satisfied with the result.

Howson did reiterate, “The conditions were awful, and we did have to adjust from how we usually play, but we do have to up our performance level if we are going to achieve what we want to achieve by the end of the season.”

In what was a scrappy and disjointed game throughout and it took a couple of moments of brilliance to get Paddock over the line. The deadlock was broken in what should already be locked up as the goal of the season, with a 40-yard screamer from Bouba Jenkins, a goal that was later almost matched in the game by Mikey Burke, who cut inside from the left and lashed home a superb strike into the top corner. Two instances of class in a game that largely lacked quality as the hosts soaked up the pressure and were able to break clinically on two occasions to score their goals. Paddock would score the winner in the end through Bouba Jenkins, who scrambled home a cushioned header from Paul Arrowsmith to complete his brace and send Paddock through into the next round of the cup.

A performance that will need to improve as Stretford Paddock takes on Polonia next week as they look to secure league glory.

Stretford Paddock  progress to the next round of the Rhodes Cup, but they did make hard work of it, only being able to settle the tie in the dying embers of the game, something that has become a force of habit for Howson’s men this year. The playing conditions were far from ideal as it was touch and go, whether the game was even going to go ahead, the combination of rain and wind made conditions an absolute nightmare, and it showed during the game. Paddock struggled to find any real patterns of play and playing rhythm. The conditions were a massive equaliser in what was anticipated as being a comfortable game for the visitors. However, in what was an unconvincing performance, Paddock did scrape through with a 3-2 win and will be eager to put the performance behind them and be satisfied with the result.

Howson did reiterate, “The conditions were awful, and we did have to adjust from how we usually play, but we do have to up our performance level if we are going to achieve what we want to achieve by the end of the season.”

In what was a scrappy and disjointed game throughout and it took a couple of moments of brilliance to get Paddock over the line. The deadlock was broken in what should already be locked up as the goal of the season, with a 40-yard screamer from Bouba Jenkins, a goal that was later almost matched in the game by Mikey Burke, who cut inside from the left and lashed home a superb strike into the top corner. Two instances of class in a game that largely lacked quality as the hosts soaked up the pressure and were able to break clinically on two occasions to score their goals. Paddock would score the winner in the end through Bouba Jenkins, who scrambled home a cushioned header from Paul Arrowsmith to complete his brace and send Paddock through into the next round of the cup.

A performance that will need to improve as Stretford Paddock takes on Polonia next week as they look to secure league glory.

Table-topping Stretford Paddock are back in action this weekend against Salford Victoria, in what is now just five more league games of the season remaining and Paddock are expecting five wins from five if they’re going to end the season as champions.

Coming off a subpar 4-1 victoria against bottom of the league side AFC Oldham, the team are well aware that they will need a massive uptick in performance this time around if they are going to be able to avoid a possible upset against a dangerous and mercurial Salford Vics side who have only played nine league games all season. Howson has been on record this week stating his discontent with the performance and setting out just how important each and every remaining game is, anything can happen on any given day and with De La Salle just one point behind with a game in hand there is simply no margin for error.

Something to keep an eye on, however, is the blazing hot form of Kieron Molloy who has Josh Smith’s goal scoring record in his sights, currently three goals behind with just five league games to go – with the form he’s in and with Josh out of action for the rest of the season, it would actually come as a surprise if Kieron isn’t able to overtake Josh come the end of the season. This weekend will however see the return of Will Hobson and Cameron Watters, who will undoubtedly help strengthen what has been an injury-ravaged squad in recent weeks.

The league is no longer in the hands of Howson’s men but they can just control what they can control. After all, points on the board trump ‘games in hand’, and as things stand, Paddock hold just a one-point lead at the top of the table. Anything can happen and if Paddock are able to win out the rest of the season they will be there or thereabouts.

Due to a league fixture cancellation, Stretford Paddock FC set up to face a mystery XI formed by Joleon Lescott. The side features current pros and ex-Premier League footballers. A big test for Stephen Howson and the lads. Here are the Match Highlights…