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Final Score: 2- 4 vs Atherton Laburnum

Despite playing some brilliant attacking football, the U21s suffered a 2-4 defeat due to costly defensive mistakes.

Match Summary: The team started brightly but quickly found themselves 0-2 down following two errors. A stunning goal from Usman Akali before halftime gave hope at 2-1. The second half saw the team struggle to regain momentum, conceding a third goal. A late push brought the score to 2-3, but the opposition struck on the counter to confirm the loss.

Standout Performer: Joe Coleman put in an excellent performance and was a key figure throughout the match.

Areas for Improvement: While the team’s attacking play was promising, they need to improve their defensive discipline and limit individual errors to turn good performances into results.

Next Fixture: To be confirmed.

Final Score: 1-3 vs Afc Stockport

The Amateurs faced a tough test in a friendly match against a higher-division team. While the match provided opportunities for several players who hadn’t had many minutes, the team delivered a brilliant performance.

Match Summary: The first 10 minutes saw the team struggle to adapt to a poor playing surface, conceding two early goals. However, once settled, the Amateurs dominated possession and pulled one back to make it 2-1. Despite creating multiple scoring opportunities, they were unable to capitalize, and the opposition punished them on the counter to seal the game at 3-1.

Standout Performer: Josh Brown was the standout performer, demonstrating great composure and influence throughout the game.

Areas for Improvement: The game served as a valuable test for next season’s ambitions, with clear areas to work on in positional play and transitions.

Next Fixture: To be confirmed

Final Score: 1-5

A tough result for the U21s, but the scoreline doesn’t reflect the full story. The team showed a brilliant second-half performance and created several chances, but it just wasn’t our day in front of goal.

Standout Performer:
Usman Akali made his debut and was a standout player throughout the game.

Areas for Improvement:
The team can take positives from their strong second-half display and use it as a foundation for future performances. Sharpening finishing will be key to converting chances into goals and making the most of attacking opportunities. As the squad continues to adapt to new coaching methods, steady improvement will be essential in building confidence and cohesion.

Next Fixture:
To be confirmed.

Final Score: 5-2

The Amateurs secured an impressive victory to progress to the quarter-finals of the Wray Cup. A strong team performance saw some brilliant football played throughout the match.

Standout Performer:
Anthony Ambage was outstanding, delivering a brilliant performance from start to finish.

Areas for Improvement:
While the team delivered an excellent performance, there are still key aspects that can be refined in training to ensure continued progress. Maintaining consistency will be crucial, as building on this strong display will help sustain momentum in the competition.

Next Fixture:
Quarter-final match to be confirmed.

After a great start in Cheshire League 2 for Stretford Paddock FC, they sit 4th in the league table, 6 points off top spot, following their recent 2-2 draw against Newton Athletic at The Cheshire County Sports Club. However, attention will now shift towards the JA Walton Challenge Cup for Stephen Howson’s men as they go up against league leaders St. Helens Town.

Paddock have steadily grown in the past few weeks. Their 7-0 and 4-0 victories against Daten FC Reserves and Moore United respectively indicated the growing confidence within the players at the club. The men in red proved their mettle once again when they came back from 2 goals down to secure a point against Newton Athletic. They will be looking to continue this run on Saturday.

On the other side though, St. Helens Town are on a scintillating run themselves. Unbeaten in the last 20 matches in all competitions, they will be looking to extend that run against Paddock. They have been able to spread their goals around the team, with three players scoring 6 goals each – Charlie Simpson, Charlie Leech and Marc Gibson.

Despite the performances of St. Helens Town this season, Paddock will be going into the game with the belief that they can overcome this challenge. In the first league game of the season, it was an extremely tight affair between the two sides, with the game ending 2-2 at the Project Solar Stadium. Paddock dominated the game, with 53% possession and 22 shots on that day, with Joao De Andrade and Sam Pratt putting the ball in the back of the net. Paddock will again look to make their home advantage count and edge out St. Helens Town.

This fixture is expected to produce fireworks this time around as well, especially with survival in the JA Walton Challenge Cup at stake. While the away side will be looking to extend their 20-match unbeaten streak, Paddock will be looking to lay down the marker and send out a message to the entire league that they are coming for the top spot.

Gear up for this weekend and we will be expecting to see you at the Project Solar Stadium.

It was a busy and eventful weekend for Stretford Paddock’s youth teams, with impressive performances across various age groups. Thrilling matches and standout performances across various age groups, from hard-fought cup clashes to dominant league displays, the teams showcased their skill and determination.

U12 Blacks advanced to the semi-finals of the Div 4 Cup after a dramatic penalty shootout win against Hyde United. The team stuck to their game plan, playing disciplined, high-quality football throughout, maintaining control, creating chances, and executing their tactics effectively in a well-rounded performance. Harris gave Paddock the lead early in the second half, but Hyde equalized from a corner. A solid penalty display, including crucial saves from Michael, secured their progression to the semis.

U12 Whites were unlucky in their cup clash against Marple Athletic, despite dominating possession and creating plenty of chances. From the first whistle, Paddock dominated proceedings, dictating play and creating numerous scoring opportunities. Despite relentless pressure, they were left frustrated as they failed to convert their chances. A pair of quick counterattacks saw Marple take a 2-0 lead, but Paddock responded late through Lewis. However, they couldn’t find the equalizer, exiting the competition despite a strong display.

U12 Reds secured a 3-0 win over Heaton Mersey Vipers in the Cup Quarter Finals. Goals from Leighton, Wilfred, and Odhrán sealed the victory, with Odhrán also impressing with a solid defensive display and a brilliant free-kick. Goalkeeper Tom made a key save to preserve the clean sheet. The team displayed excellent passing, pressing, and build-up play, though tracking back remains an area for improvement. Next up is a tough Semi-Final against Juno on February 9th, with the boys ready for the challenge.

U16s Saturday Team faced a tough test against Roach Dynamos U18s in their cup quarter-final but showed resilience. Paddock started brilliantly, moving the ball quickly and setting the tempo early on, immediately putting their opponents on the back foot. Their attacking intent was clear from the first whistle. An early goal from Leland set the tone, and he added a second before Roach pulled one back from the spot. Nichoi’s stunning strike restored the advantage, and despite a late push from the opposition, Paddock held firm to secure a well-earned victory.

U16s Reds Sunday Team returned to league action in style, dismantling AFC Manchester with an emphatic 9-0 win, echoing Manchester United’s famous 9-0 thrashing of Southampton. Harvey opened the scoring, followed by a first-half brace from Noah, setting the tone for a ruthless display. Just like United did that night, Paddock showed no mercy in the second half, shifting gears and adding six more, with goals from Leland, Junior, another from Harvey, two from Keifer, and a spectacular finish from Alfie. A dominant performance and a second consecutive clean sheet underlined their title ambitions in emphatic fashion.

A fantastic weekend overall for Stretford Paddock, with cup progression, dominant wins, and strong performances across the board. However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing, as the U12s Whites suffered a frustrating defeat despite dominating the game. Nonetheless, momentum is building across the teams as they head into a crucial run of fixtures in February, eager to keep pushing forward.

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.