Author: Ronaldo Brown

A red-hot Stretford Paddock side travels to a Milton team with enough quality in their ranks to cause an upset; the Paddock boys will need to give this game their full attention as complacency could prove futile during a run-in where nothing but three points will do.

Milton have five losses and five wins in the ten league games they have played, making them very much a Jekyll and Hyde proposition. A side that gave Paddock several issues in the reverse fixture when Paddock ran out 4-3 winners, an end to end game that ebbed and flowed, and we can expect more of the same in tomorrows fixture.

It was no secret how disappointed Howson was in the performance last week, and speaking in the week in preparation for the game, he said, ‘I wasn’t at all happy with the performance last weekend, we are miles better than we showed, and I expect an increased level of performance this time around.’ This suggests Paddock anticipate a much sterner test and will be wary of dropping points as they continue to mount the pressure on De La Salle Reds to make the most of their games in hand.

The urge for silverware is an insatiable one in the Paddock camp, a feeling that has resonated during a winning streak in the league that now extends to eight games and this weekend should be no different. As the visitors will be looking to take all three points and continue to pile the pressure on De La Salle. Josh Smith coming off a brace last week, now has 11 goals in the league, ranking him second place in the goal-scoring rankings, six goals behind the leader Jack Ward of Moston Brook. There’s quite a gap, but with the form Josh is in, the type of form where it wouldn’t be surprising if he bridges the gap by the end of the season as he undoubtedly will be looking to continue his goal-scoring exploits on the weekend.

The match will be held at Heywood Sports Village, Starkey Street, Heywood OL10 4TW; kick-off will be the standard time at 2 pm.

Stretford Paddock continued their winning streak in the league after defeating Salford Victoria 4-1 on the weekend, overcoming a tricky and awkward opponent, and taking Paddock six points clear at the top of the league. De La Salle Reds do however have 3 games in hand.

Although the scoreline was comfortable and emphatic, Howson was far from impressed and wasn’t shy in displaying his disappointment, voicing after the game that ‘the performance was unrecognisable’ and he believes performances like that will not win Paddock the league come the end of the season.

One of the positives to take from the game was the emergence of Joao De Andrade who now has 3 goals in 2 starts and has looked a breath of fresh air out wide, cooly slotting the ball past the keeper after an assured first touch out of the air. Things got better as the all-time appearance leader Will Hobson headed home from a set-piece as he continues to build on his ever-growing Stretford Paddock legacy. However, once again, the star of the show who is arguably the star of the season so far, Josh Smith bagged himself a brace, taking him two goals clear of Jay Phillips to become the outright all-time leading goal scorer for Stretford Paddock.

What has much-maligned Stretford Paddock is the lapses in concentration defensively and the lack of consistency with clean sheets, an issue that reared its ugly head again as a Hobson mistake resulted in Salford Victoria punishing the hosts in the latter stages of the game.

With no margin for error in this two-horse title race, those are mistakes Paddock will be looking to cut out of their game so that it doesn’t bite them in important games. But in the end, all that mattered was the win and three point’s and every game is something for the team to build on in their hunt for league glory.

Stretford Paddock FC once again go into another match-week at the top of the table as they currently sit three points clear of De La Salle Reds who have two games in hand.

Coming off a 6-1 demolition of North Walkden last weekend, buoyed by what is now seven games in the league unbeaten, Paddock will be looking to keep up the pace in what is looking like a two-horse race for the league title. In the form Paddock are in, if they continue to win games, at the very least they will be keeping the pressure on a De La Salle team who will know that games in hand are only useful if you win them.

Looking at the opposition, Salford Victoria are lying third from bottom but they appear to be quite an enigmatic team which makes them a very difficult proposition. They have only played six games in the league all season and have only won one of the games, which is a far cry from the force they were last season but when they lose this season, more often than not, it’s a very tight game. They are also coming off a narrow 3-2 loss against De La Salle Reds last weekend, a game in which they were level at halftime. It’s clear that Salford Victoria do pose a threat and will require Paddock’s full attention if they want to maintain their advantage at the top of the table.

Howson spoke during the week stating that: “Salford Victoria look to be a decent side, one much better than their record suggests so we have to make sure we’re ready, we can’t afford to drop points”. A mentality that Howson’s men will undoubtedly be getting drilled into them during the training week, as they will look to extend their winning streak in the league and build on what is looking to be an extremely promising season.

The match will once again be held at Nicholls Community Football Centre, Dalberg St, Manchester M12 6BN. We expect a decent turnout as the support at Paddock continues to grow as the team continues to build and grow.

An injury-ridden Paddock team went into the game hungry to get back to winning ways, desperate to respond after narrowly bowing out of the cup last weekend.

Attention then turned to not slip up in the league against a North Walkden side that had picked up a bit of form going into the game, and the end result was emphatic and again went a long way to prove Paddock’s title credentials.

Josh Smith had been on record watch for a few weeks now and with the form he had shown this season, it was only a matter of when rather than if, when it came to becoming Paddock’s all-time leading goal scorer, he came into game level with Jay Phillips on nine and it only took him 13 minutes to break it, as he guided a well-worked pull back into the roof of the net to open the scoring.

Jay Phillips however was a huge talking point in the game as in the very same game his record what broken he made his unexpected return to club and squad, coming on in the second half of the game late and rocketing in a goal of the season contender on his comeback to draw back level with Josh Smith for the goal-scoring record.

There was also the first start for left winger Joao De Andrade who bagged himself a brace on his first start putting in a strong performance in his own right but arguably the star of the day was Omar Sinclair who dazzled all day with his skills, pace and trickery.

Stretford Paddock now go 3 points clear at the top of the league but De La Salle Reds do have two games in hand so we’ll have to keep a watchful eye on how they fair in their coming games as Stretford Paddock look primed and ready to capitalise on any slip-ups made by the early pace setters; but all in all it was a comfortable victory and another example of the imperious force the team is becoming at this level of football.

With the chance at silverware narrowly going awry last week in the cup, Paddock will be eager to get back on the football pitch and get back to winning ways, extending their league unbeaten run and continue the march towards league glory. Where it is vital that there is no slip ups as it is paramount that Paddock don’t lose sight of the high flying De La Salle Reds who haven’t shown any signs of slowing down, as early as it is Howson has already iterated that not getting the victory on the weekend could signify curtains on Paddocks title hopes.

Last time these teams met, Paddock ran out comfortable 6-2 winners in a relentless attacking display, which is exactly what makes these kinds of games so dangerous, the underdogs will undoubtedly be coming out with a chip on their shoulder desperate to put in a more competitive display. With Howson also stating within the week, “We know what we are capable of and the lads are disappointed about last weekend but we can’t afford to complacent as we still believe we have what it takes to go all the way and that starts on the weekend.”

It also might not be so easy this time around as North Walkden have rounded into a bit of form recently and are unbeaten in their last 4 league games, just coming off a comfortable 3-0 victory against a very decent Manchester Polonia side.

Another thing to keep an eye on was the prolific Josh Smith matching the all time leading goal scoring tally of 9 goals, previously held by Jay Phillips, last weekend against Denton Town FC and will have his sights set on breaking that record on the weekend. It would be quite the achievement with him having the opportunity to break it by averaging a stellar goal a game while doing so.

The match will be held at Dalberg St, Manchester M12 6BN at Nicholls Community Football Centre with Kick Off being back to its traditional 3pm. A real opportunity for Stretford Paddock to return to winning ways and continue their hopeful title charge.

It ended up a very disappointing day for Paddock, as they saw their best efforts go in vain, in what was arguably their best performance of the season; a game that well and truly could have gone either way.

The game was played at an extremely high tempo throughout as both teams went neck and neck. Denton shot out to a lead in the early stages through a sensational free kick, before doubling their lead through a contentious penalty decision. The subsequent penalty was brilliantly saved by Ethan but Denton were first to the rebound and lashed the ball home. Things got bad to worse as Denton broke down the right hand side and added to the score line with a great finish across goal, it was a score line that flattered the visitors as Paddock started brightly and were looking a threat every time they went forward. Just lapses in concentration cost them in the first half, as they went into the break 3-0 down but their belief didn’t wain as Paddock almost came roaring back in the second half.

With Paddocks first goal coming from Kieron Molloy who was almost unplayable on the day, taking his red hot form to a new level and it showed, as he broke down the right hand side, left two defenders in his wake and nestled the ball into the roof of the net on his weaker side. A sensational finish that was the beginning of a momentum shift in the game as Paddock continued to pile on the pressure, and deservingly the second goal game through Josh Smith who finally hit his landmark goal. A goal that took him level with Jay Phillips as the all time leading goal scorer in Stretford Paddock’s short history, which is a testament to the unbelievable form he’s displayed this season as he got on the end of some neat piece of play on the edge of the area before stroking home a cultured half volley into the bottom corner.

However, the equaliser eluded Stretford Paddock as they were unable to level it before the game came to an end as they were unable to apply the finishing touches to what was almost a very spirited comeback. There will undoubtedly be disappointment after such a brilliant performance against a side from a higher level but it was a game that worked as a great barometer of just how far the club has come in such a short space of time. Confidence and positives can be taken from the defeat and should stand Paddock in good stead for the rest of the season.

After what has been a two week hiatus from action for the hosts, Stretford Paddock return in what is undoubtedly their biggest game of the season so far, and what should be their biggest test to date.

Stretford Paddock will be hosting Denton Town in the quarter final of the Manchester FA Challenge Trophy, the two teams played against each other during pre-season where Denton Town ran out 4-0 winners and will be looking to repeat that feat whereas Paddock will be looking for redemption with a much more cohesive and in-form side this time around. Speaking in the week Stephen Howson has echoed the importance and magnitude of the game and expects it to be a big challenge but sees it as an opportunity to, “make a big statement”.

Denton Town are lying in 4th place in the Cheshire Football League One and have already beaten a couple teams in the same division as Stretford Paddock on their way to the quarter finals, beating North Walkden 6-0 and Salford Victoria 3-1 respectively. However, they themselves have been out of action for a couple weeks so both teams will be entering the game a little cold but will be desperate get right back on track.

Also, Going into the game, following on from Will Hobson’s record breaking appearance last game, we will once again be on record watch as Josh Smith is currently only one goal behind the all time leading goal scorer for Stretford Paddock with 8 goals and will be looking to match it, maybe even break it, on the weekend.

Another interesting caveat in this game is the return of Nosa Iyamu who was Stretford Paddock’s player of the season last season who makes his return after signing for Denton Town FC on dual registration from Ramsbottom United FC; and will be desperate to get one over on his former team. It’s no surprise that Paddock go into the game as as the underdog, but in cup competition, anything can happen – it undoubtedly will be a high quality game and it’s an opportunity for Paddock to make a statement and continue their quest for the clubs very first piece of silverware.

The game will be held Vestacare Stadium, home of Avro FC with the game being kicked off at 1pm, be sure to make your way down to support as Stretford Paddock take part in their biggest game so far.

With the first team out of action for the second weekend running, the focus turns to how the reserves, development team and the U21’s faired in their respective games.

The reserves came out on top in their weekend game and were able to gain a crucial 3 points against an organised and well coached Eccles team, sending the reserves to 2nd in the league. Two goals from striker Azan clinched all 3 points in a close game. The reserves did show character, grit and fight to grind out a result which was especially impressive due to the conditions of the game and the surface they had to play on. Now 2nd in the league 6 points behind 1st place with a game in hand anything could happen as Nairobi has made it abundantly clear that the reserves want to develop a winning mentality and are in for silverware.

As for the development team, Paddock visited Greater Manchester firsts at the weekend and left with a well deserved 4-0 win. The matched started very tight with both teams trying to play their football. Paddock could of been clear within the first 20 minutes as Lewis Bennett missed multiple opportunities but the breakthrough came after 27minutes with the in form Immanuel Akinwale scoring his 2nd in as many games. The goal settled Paddock down and they began to play their football. The midfield of Mark Dempsey, Man of the Match Brighton Ferguson, Jamie Iggy and Charles Frapwell were dominant in everything they did, they controlled the game on both sides of the ball. Lewis Bennett finally got his well deserved goal after another brilliant move by Paddock who are really starting to implement a style of play into their game.

Paddock went up another gear in the 2nd half restricting Greater Manchester to pot shots from the edge of the area. Abdullah Saeed then went on to bag a superb brace in the 2nd half again showing why he maybe the best striker in the league. Paddock showed massive improvement and character after last weeks unfortunate come back, They showed maturity, saw out the game and managed to walk out with all 3 points.

It was all in all successful weekend for Stretford Paddock Football Club as the Ressies came out the victors in a 12 goal thriller, beating Milltown FC Firsts 7-5 in their 6th league game of the season. This victory takes them into the top 4, 6 points behind leaders Hattersley with two games in hand. Front 3 Adam Ashton, Paul Arrowsmith and Usamah Afzal took home the plaudits with a formidable attacking display. Adam and Paul netted a hat trick each scoring 4 and 3 respectively and Usamah excellently linked play and recorded 4 assists on the day. That is now Paul Arrowsmith’s second hat-trick of the season suggesting he’s a man that when he scores, he scores in bunches. The Ressies coaches implemented a new tactical approach this week which demanded a lot from the players, they responded well with an improved performance to set a strong foundation for the progression of the team during the remainder of the season.

The development squad managed to win their 1st game at home to top of the table Woodsend, pulling off the unthinkable. The hard work the squad has put in over the last few weeks was rewarded with a flawless performance. Paddock dominated the game from start to finish playing beautiful attacking football and dominated in defence. The game was run by man of the match captain Mark Dempsey who controlled the tempo from midfield. Identifying the space behind Woodsend’s centre backs, Paddock piled on the pressure in the first 20 minutes and were rewarded with goal from the outstanding Abdullah Saeed who was a level above the opposition all game.

They carried on with their exceptional performance in the the 2nd half and dominated the ball for the majority. The last 30 min was a near master class from Paddocks back 4 which included Karl Koulibaly, Usman Eshan, Cormac Donnellan and Iduonibin Awodumoye. They frustrated Woodends attack and dealt with everything that was thrown at them with goalkeeper Victor Gimmenez made sure of the well earned clean sheet with some fabulous saves. It was a great performance and great result for a team who have never stopped believing in themselves over the opening part of the season.

The only blemish on a brilliant weekend for Stretford Paddock were the U21’s succumbing to Ashton 3-0 in a tough and hard fought game, where lapses in concentration in the latter stages of the game cost them.