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Final Score: 3-3

The first 15 minutes were disappointing in terms of possession and attacking play.
We conceded early, going 1-0 down, but then began to find our rhythm, turning the game around to lead 3-1.

Unfortunately, a red card left us playing the remainder of the match with 10 men. This proved costly as we conceded two late goals in the final five minutes, resulting in a 3-3 draw.

Man of the Match:  Victor Iyumva delivered a standout performance.

Areas for Improvement:

• Maintain composure and enjoy possession.
• Avoid losing focus or becoming bored with controlled, possession-based play.

Next Fixture:
A challenging league game against the team currently 3rd in the table. We’re prepared to give it everything to represent ourselves well.

Final Score: 4-2

The Amateurs secured a hard-fought victory to return to the top of the table by two points.

The first half was slow and flat, but the team came alive in the second half, scoring four goals to claim the win.

Standout Performers:
Zikora Anyaorah and Anthony Ambage had a significant impact after coming on.
Man of the Match: Anthony Ambage.

Areas for Improvement:

• Better structure and discipline in and out of possession.
• Maintain team shape consistently throughout the match.

Next Fixture:
A cup tie away at Spurley Hey on Saturday.

Cheshire League Round-Up

After the storm passed, the Cheshire League was finally able to resume, with three league fixtures allowing six teams to kickstart their 2025 campaigns.

Stretford Paddock Dominate Moore United

Starting the new year with a spring in their step, Stretford Paddock climbed back to third place with a commanding 4-0 home win against bottom club Moore United. Hat-trick hero Damani Hall earned the man-of-the-match accolade, while captain Eddie Fulwood added a fourth goal to seal the points. The victory leaves Paddock six points behind the promotion spots, with two games in hand. Moore United remain anchored at the foot of the table but have played significantly fewer games than the teams directly above them.

Lymm Rovers Reignite Promotion Hopes

Lymm Rovers began 2025 as they ended 2024—with a crucial league victory against Warrington Rylands Development. Their 3-2 triumph secured a six point haul across both games and snapped a run of three consecutive league defeats. This timely result has reignited Rovers’ promotion push, lifting them to fourth place. Leo Roberts was instrumental, scoring a goal and providing both assists for teammate Harry Quarmby, who netted twice. Meanwhile, Reuben McHugh notched his 16th goal in 17 appearances for struggling Rylands, who remain in dire need of points.

Maine Road Reserves Thrash Sandbach Town

Maine Road Reserves secured just their third league win of the season with a dominant 5-0 home victory over Sandbach Town. Jack Turner and Finlay Crossdale both scored braces, setting the tone for an emphatic performance by the Manchester side. Sandbach Town’s woes continue, with their winless streak now extending to 13 games across all competitions. Their last victory came back in August against Maine Road in the reverse fixture. Both teams remain in the bottom half of the table but will hope for a turnaround as the season progresses.

St Helens Town Advance in Liverpool FA Cup

Elsewhere, league leaders St Helens Town maintained their momentum, advancing to the next round of the Liverpool FA Cup with a 3-1 away victory against MSB Wootton Reserves. Second-half goals from Liam Diggle, Will Clapham, and Ryan Cook ensured their progression to the next stage.

Mersey Valley Shine in Northern Cup

Second-placed Mersey Valley also represented the Cheshire League with distinction, cruising into the Northern Cup’s round of 16 with a resounding 9-1 win. Sam Deering and Dylan Fraine both netted hat-tricks, as Valley set up a home tie against Upton JFC in the next round.

Joao de Andrade has etched his name into the history of Stretford Paddock Football Club as both a prolific goal scorer and a dedicated mentor. The club’s all-time leading scorer who also plays a pivotal role in the U21 coaching staff. Joao’s journey exemplifies his unwavering commitment to the club’s growth and success. Joining Stretford Paddock FC midway through the 2021 season from East Manchester, Joao quickly showcased his versatility on the wings, adeptly playing both right (RW) and left (LW) positions. His immediate impact was evident, earning him the Players’ Player of the Season awards for two consecutive years (2022/23 and 2023/24) and securing the Goal of the Season accolade in 2023/24.

Joao’s tenure at Stretford Paddock FC is marked by his remarkable goal scoring feats, becoming the club’s all-time top scorer. A milestone celebrated by teammates and fans, with 35 goals and 12 assists in 93 matches, Joao has consistently positioned himself for high-quality scoring opportunities, proving his importance as a forward who delivers and elevates the team’s attacking play. Beyond his on-field exploits, Joao has embraced a coaching role with the U21 team, using his experience and expertise as a PE teacher to guide and develop emerging talents. His approachable and supportive nature makes him a respected figure among younger players, fostering growth and camaraderie.

In his coaching capacity, Joao emphasizes technical proficiency, tactical awareness, and the importance of maintaining high standards. “Joao is fantastic with the lads when he is coaching,” shared a club member. “He not only tailors drills for the weekly sessions but also works in person with each player on areas they identified for improvement. His feedback and game analysis are always insightful, and he commands a lot of respect from the players. As a senior figure in the first team, the lads look up to him and thoroughly enjoy working with him. For many, the ultimate goal is to one day share the pitch with him in the first team.”

Joao’s deep rooted connection to Stretford Paddock FC is evident. Speaking about his journey, he shared immense pride in his contributions as the all-time leading scorer and mentor. Despite facing a rough patch of games at times, Joao’s relentless work ethic ensured he bounced back stronger, reinforcing his value to the team. He described witnessing the club’s growth and shaping the next generation through his U21 coaching role as incredibly rewarding. Reflecting on his journey, Joao called it one of hard work, sacrifice and learning, filled with moments of pride and joy, he expressed his honour in being part of the club’s history and future.

As Joao de Andrade continues to share his wealth of knowledge and unwavering passion with the next generation of players, his influence at Stretford Paddock FC is set to leave a lasting legacy that will extend far beyond his goal scoring feats. From his remarkable rise as the club’s all-time leading scorer to his role as a mentor, Joao has become a living embodiment of the club’s spirit and ambition. His commitment to both individual and team growth, coupled with his leadership on and off the pitch sets a standard for future generations.

Cheshire League Weekly Round-Up: 12th – 17th August

The second week of August has been action-packed in the Cheshire League, with multiple fixtures providing plenty of drama and significant shifts in the league standings. Here’s a summary of the week’s action and how it’s shaping up the table:

12th August 2024
– Maine Road Res. 2 – 2 Hartford FC
A closely contested match saw Maine Road Reserves hold Hartford FC to a 2-2 draw. Despite their efforts, both teams had to settle for a share of the points, reflecting their evenly matched performances.

13th August 2024
– **Stretford Paddock 2 – 0 Newton Athletic**
Stretford Paddock continued their strong start to the season with a 2-0 victory over Newton Athletic. Goals in the second half secured the win, keeping Paddock unbeaten and near the top of the table.

– Moore United 3 – 1 Warrington Rylands Dev.
Moore United claimed their first win of the season, defeating Warrington Rylands Development 3-1. The home side took control early on and never looked back, leaving Rylands still searching for their first victory.

– Newton-Le-Willows 2 – 1 Wigan Town
Newton-Le-Willows edged out Wigan Town with a 2-1 win, adding another three points to their tally and keeping Wigan rooted at the bottom of the table.

14th August 2024
– Halton Farnworth Hornets 5 – 4 Haydock FC
In one of the most thrilling games of the week, Halton Farnworth Hornets emerged victorious in a nine-goal thriller against Haydock FC. The Hornets’ firepower was too much for Haydock, despite a valiant effort from the visitors.

17th August 2024
– Stretford Paddock 3 – 0 Wigan Town
Stretford Paddock continued their unbeaten run with a dominant 3-0 win over Wigan Town. Goals from Zak Bell, Ronaldo Brown, and Kayode Adewale ensured a comfortable victory and kept Paddock at the top of the table.

– Lymm Rovers 5 – 2 Moore United
Lymm Rovers put in a commanding performance, defeating Moore United 5-2. This win keeps Lymm Rovers within striking distance of the league leaders.

– Mersey Valley 4 – 2 Warrington Rylands Dev.
Mersey Valley secured a 4-2 win against Warrington Rylands Development, continuing Rylands’ tough start to the season and moving Mersey Valley further up the table.

– Sandbach Town 2 – 1 Maine Road Res.
Sandbach Town edged out Maine Road Reserves with a narrow 2-1 win, maintaining their strong early season form and keeping them in the upper half of the table.

– Newton Athletic 2 – 2 Newton-Le-Willows
In a clash between two closely matched teams, Newton Athletic and Newton-Le-Willows played out a 2-2 draw. Both sides showed resilience, but neither could find the decisive goal.

League Table After This Week
The results from the past week have started to create a clear picture in the league standings:

1. Stretford Paddock took the top spot in the table, with 10 points from 4 matches, remaining unbeaten and showing their intent to challenge for the title.
2. St Helens Town and Lymm Rovers are hot on their heels, both showcasing strong early-season form.
3. Halton Farnworth Hornets and Sandbach Town also secured vital wins this week, keeping them in contention near the top.
4. Mersey Valley and Newton Athletic are holding steady in mid-table, while Wigan Town and Warrington Rylands Development remain at the bottom, still without a win.

This week has been important in establishing the early frontrunners and showing which teams might struggle as the season progresses. With plenty of football left to play, there will undoubtedly be more twists and turns as teams continue to fight for points in the coming weeks.

We are thrilled to announce our opening fixtures for the upcoming season.

Here’s a rundown of our first matches:

Saturday, 27th July:

Opponent: St Helens Town
Venue: [Home] Project Solar Stadium, Hyde 3pm KO

We kick off our season against St Helens Town, a formidable side we had thrilling encounters with last season. We secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory at home thanks to an incredible late free-kick from Omar Sinclair. Away from home, we triumphed 2-0 with goals from Victor Iyumva and Mikey Burke.

Wednesday, 31st July:

Opponent: Dukinfield Town
Venue: Dixon Brooklands, Wythenshawe 7.45pm KO
We have a midweek friendly against Dukinfield Town. This match will be a great opportunity to fine-tune our tactics and give some game time to different squad members.

Saturday, 3rd Aug:

Opponent: Warrington Rylands Reserves
Venue: [Away] 2pm KO
Our second league game sees us travel to face Warrington Rylands Reserves. No idea what to expect from Rylands – the first team is a fantastic side, hoping to play well and secure valuable points on the road.

Watch Live on Twitch

We are excited to announce that all our games will be live-streamed on Twitch this season. This is a fantastic opportunity for our fans worldwide to follow the action in real-time and support the team from anywhere. Don’t miss a moment of the excitement!

We hope to have a more extensive fixture list coming up soon. Stay tuned for updates and make sure to mark your calendars for these exciting games. Your support is crucial as we embark on this new season. Let’s make it a memorable one, together!

Stretford Paddock looked to bounce back against Cheshire League 1 opposition Daten FC after a disappointing loss against Droyslden in the second edition of the Tony Downes memorial game.

Ste wasn’t without his fair few of absentees but it was a great opportunity to get some new faces minutes and also ramp up the preparation for another important league campaign.

The match began at a fairly quick tempo with some controlled possession from Paddock but it was the visitors that flew out the traps the fastest, where a mazy run from their left winger resulted in Michael Burke mistiming his challenge in the area, giving a penalty to Daten.

The visitors went 1-0 up with a very well taken penalty but almost immediately doubled their lead as a slack pass from Joe Coleman led to Paddock being punished as their forward latched onto the errand pass and scored emphatically.

Paddock responded brilliantly however where a direct run and cutback from Ronaldo Brown was met by a great left footed finish by Josh Mbala to get Paddock back into the game. As the momentum swung, another great piece of play down the left from Ronaldo led to a slide through ball to Sam Pratt who finished calmly under the keeper to equalize.

Momentum swung heavily Paddocks way going towards half time where just before the half a long through ball from Martin to an overlapping Mikey Burke put him through on goal before deftly lofting the ball over the onrushing keeper and putting Paddock in front.

For all the joy Paddock were getting the second half was a dier affair, where Paddock never really got going and before Ste knew it, a 3-2 half time scoreline became 6-3.

Some of the only positives to take from the second half were the performances and debuts of multiple 15 and 16 year olds who performed admirably and looked comfortable at the senior level, getting their first taste for mens football.

Paddock now look towards the beginning of their league campaign as pre-season quickly draws to an end.

Stretford Paddock faced a tough challenge in the annual Tony Downes memorial match on Saturday (July 6), falling to Droylsden 5-0 at the Butcher’s Arms.

The first half was tightly contested and ended goalless, showcasing a strong defensive effort from Stretford Paddock and a standout performance from Paddock’s keeper, Martin. With Paddock’s only opportunity of the game coming through a tricky piece of play down the right wing from Ronaldo, cutback to Jainero who saw his shot well saved.

Droylsden came out strong in the second half, with their big burling striker breaking the deadlock just five minutes after the restart.

Despite Paddock’s best efforts, Droylsden doubled their lead just before the 70-minute mark, with their dangerous winger scoring from close range. The same player then quickly added his second and Droylsden’s third goal, calmly finishing past an advancing Martin.

Paddock were struggling to cope with the constant wave of pressure and eventually the pressure told. Droyslden then increased the lead to four with just ten minutes remaining, and another stoppage time strike from the home side sealed the result.

While the match was a tough one for Stretford Paddock, the primary focus was on honoring Droylsden guardsman Tony Downes, who was tragically killed in Afghanistan in 2007 at the age of 20.

Tony is remembered locally with a street, a building, and this memorial match trophy, which was presented to Droylsden at full-time.

We are excited to announce that Stretford Paddock FC’s first team will be playing our home games at the prestigious Project Solar Stadium for the 2024/25 season. This decision marks a significant step forward as we continue to strive for excellence both on and off the pitch. Notably, the stadium has also been used by Manchester United and Manchester City’s Reserve and women’s sides in recent history, underscoring its top-tier quality.

New Home for the First Team: The first team will now call the Project Solar Stadium, home of Hyde United, their new base. This excellent facility features a top-quality 4G pitch, which we believe will bring out the best in our squad. Our track record at this stadium speaks for itself, having won every game we played there. The brilliant atmosphere and facilities make it the perfect venue for us to aim for continued success next season.

Manager Stephen Howson shared his thoughts: “We are very grateful to Droylsden for allowing us to play at their ground last season. However, we feel that our best football is played on a 4G pitch, and Hyde United’s stadium is one of the best around. We’ve won every time we’ve played there and hope to continue that trend in the upcoming season. It’s a brilliant stadium, and we are excited for what’s ahead.”

New Home for U21s and Reserves: In addition, our U21s and reserves will play their home games at Openshaw campus, the same ground where the first team concluded last season. This move ensures consistency and familiarity, helping our younger squads to perform at their best.

We look forward to welcoming all our fans to these fantastic venues and appreciate your continued support. Together, we aim to make the 2024/25 season one of our best yet.

Stay tuned for more updates and matchday information as we prepare for an exciting season ahead.

As we approach the final hours of the pre-order window for our much-anticipated “The Code Breaker” kit, we want to remind our fans and supporters that this is your last chance to guarantee your jersey ahead of the upcoming season.

Pre-Order Closes This Monday! Since the launch this past Monday, the response to our new kit has been overwhelmingly positive. To ensure you don’t miss out, we strongly advise placing your pre-order before the deadline on Monday. Remember, availability of sizes will be limited after pre-orders close, and the fastest way to secure your jersey is by pre-ordering now.

Why Pre-Order? Pre-ordering guarantees that you will receive your desired size without delays. The jerseys are set to arrive in the last week of July, and pre-ordering ensures you are among the first to wear the new “The Code Breaker” kit, embodying the spirit and legacy of Alan Turing with pride.

Kit Details: Inspired by the legendary figure of Alan Turing, the kit features a unique binary pattern and a powerful quote on resilience and innovation. It’s more than just a jersey; it’s a statement of our club’s ambition and a tribute to a pioneering spirit.

Secure Your Kit Now: Don’t wait until it’s too late! Head to our online store now to place your pre-order. This is the most effective way to ensure you receive your “The Code Breaker” kit as soon as it’s available.

Thank You for Your Support: We are thrilled by the community’s enthusiasm for the new kit and are excited to see it in action both in the stands and on the pitch. Your support directly contributes to the club’s success and helps us keep pushing the boundaries on and off the field.

Visit our online store now to secure your kit. Let’s make this season unforgettable with “The Code Breaker”!