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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.

In what was a slightly earlier kick off this weekend, Stretford Paddock continue their red hot as they dispatched an in form Abacus Media side 4-2 to go two point’s clear at the top of the table. As what has often been the case in recent weeks, Paddock have looked unassailable in games, looking like a very cohesive and well organised unit who don’t have to be at their absolute best to win matches; which was again the case on the weekend because although it was a comfortable victory they were definitely not at their swash-buckling best.

Paddock started the game slowly and an incident involving key player, Omar Sinclair, seemed to further knock the stuffing out of the team as he suffered a sickening head injury colliding with an opposing player and momentarily loosing consciousness, but all updates surrounding Omar are positive, but he will be likely to miss a couple weeks through concussion.

Following the injury it took a little while for the game to get back up to speed as Paddock then proceeded to blow Abacus Media away just before half time, scoring 3 goals in 10 minutes to finish the half. The first goal was a notable one though, as it was a goal scored by captain Will Hobson who broke the record for club appearances with 20 appearances and marked the milestone with a goal and a stand out Man of the Match performance. He added to his goal with an assist breaking forward on the overlap before sliding a cross along the six yard box for Tom Jones to tap home. The other two goals came from the usual culprits as Kieron Molloy and Josh Smith added to their growing goal tally this season, Josh’s goal now put him just 1 goal behind the club record held by Jay Phillips. This means that the patented front three of Josh Smith, Tom Jones and Kieron Molloy have 27 goal contributions between the trio in just 9 games, insane.

In usual fashion, Howson wasn’t completely satisfied with the performance overall, voicing his displeasure with the two goals conceded late in the second half as he felt like they took their foot off the gas, he did however state how impressed he was with Baboucar Jenkins who he thought put in a Man of the Match performance and likened his game to “Ngolo Kante” and “Yaya Toure”.

All in all it was another three points for Stretford Paddock who saw themselves not just extend their win streak but go top of the league as well.

Stretford Paddock face a stern test against an Abacus Media side who are currently unbeaten in their last 5 games and are in a great run of form themselves, in fact, they have only lost one game all season and a win on the weekend would take them 2 points behind Stretford Paddock with a game in hand. Therefore they’ll be going into this game with a great deal of incentive and see it as an opportunity to sky rocket up the league standings and make a statement.

Stephen Howson is fully aware of the test that lies, ahead stating in the week that, “We can’t afford to be complacent, it will be a tough game and I’m not just after the points but a performance as well, I want us to keep going up a level weak to week.”

With Stretford Paddock joint top they have absolutely no intention of slowing down and with the team looking like they are going from strength to strength, all signs point towards another victory on the weekend. There are a few things to watch and keep an eye on this weekend, as there is opportunity for Paddock history to be made as Will Hobson will look set the record for most Stretford Paddock appearances and Josh Smith currently sits 2 behind the all time Stretford Paddock goal scorer Jay Phillips; he needs a brace to level it and a hat-trick to break it. With the form he’s currently in, you wouldn’t put it past him.

On the back of a mounting unbeaten run and win streak, Paddock will go into the game believing nothing but a win will do whilst having every bit of confidence that they can get the job done. The game will be played at Cardinal Langley RC High school, Rochdale, M24 2GL where the game will kick off at 2pm

After the victory from the firsts the attention turns to the reserves and development squad. The ressies got a hard fought 3 points against South Manchester 1sts winning 3-2 at turn moss. A brace from Adam Ashton and a stunning free kick from Ollie Clarke secured the victory in a sluggish but hard working performance. The reserves really stepped it up in the 2nd half to get the 3 points and keep us in contention for league silverware this season.