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6 goals and an exciting performance from their new signings is just what Stretford Paddock needed to end a dreadful run of 4 losses in 4 games. A brace from new man, Ryan Katumba as well as goals from Nasser Shakoor, Nosa Iyamu, Ronaldo Brown and Aftab Jan was more than enough to sink opponents Lymm Rovers and just as importantly, give Paddock a new platform to build from.

It took Paddock’s new striker just 13 minutes to get himself on the scoresheet. Some great link play between Ronaldo Brown and Mikey Burke resulted in Paddock’s left back getting himself in and behind the Lymm Rovers defence. A nicely weighted ball across goal was picked up by Katumba. A nice touch and finish inside the box put Paddock 1-0 up.

Paddock continued to dominate the first half and eventually doubled their lead not long before the break. A loose ball in the box picked up and struck goalwards by long standing midfielder, Nasser Shakoor. His shot was blocked well but his rebounded effort flew past the Lymm keeper with pace.

There was still time for a third. A mistake from Lymm Rovers at the back was hunted down by Ryan Katumba. His hunger to win the ball was rewarded with a one-on-one opportunity against the keeper. He finished beautifully by slotting the ball between the narrow gap between the keepers hand and the near post.

HT: Stretford Paddock 3-0 Lymm Rovers

4 minutes was all that it took Paddock to bag their 4th goal of the afternoon. A great run from Katumba down the left allowed him the space to shift the ball across the goal and into Nosa Iyamu’s feet. A simple finish past the keeper was no issue for Paddock’s vice captain and just like that, the home side had put the game to bed.

The game was out of Lymm’s reach but they managed to score a consolation. A beautifully whipped corner was met at the back post by Lymm’s Ridley-Thomas. He headed the ball into the back of the net and prevented Paddock’s new man in net, Martin Flanagan from bagging a debut clean sheet.

With 5 minutes to go, Paddock made it 5-1. Just like Katumba’s second goal, good pressure onto the Lymm defender from Ronaldo Brown gave an opportunity against the keeper, one-on-one. Ronaldo finished nicely and sent the Paddock bench into frenzy.

And just when we thought it was all over, substitute, Aftab Jan got on the scoresheet to make it 6. Zak Bell, Paddock’s new midfielder, crossed accurately from the right hand side and Aftab was there to guide the ball home.

FT: Stretford Paddock 6-1 Lymm Rovers

Stretford Paddock: Martin Flanagan, James Oatt (C), Thomas MacFarlane, Michael Burke, Richard Adjei, Nosa Iyamu, Zak Bell, Nasser Shakoor, Ryan Katumba, Ronaldo Brown, Joao De Andrade

Subs: Raphe Barber, Will Hobson, Paulo Incaque, Aftab Jan, Joe Coleman

For the 4th week on the bounce, Stretford Paddock lost in the Cheshire League to further damage their charge for promotion. For only the 5th time this season, Paddock failed to score a single goal in their 4-0 hammering against Haydock FC. It was a scoreline which mirrored the reverse fixture earlier in the season and also a performance which drew many simialrities.

The game started in the fashion in which it would continue – dominance from the home side. Haydock started with great intensity and hunger and had Paddock on the back foot from the get go. It was in the 16th minute however, where Haydock took the lead. A miss timed tackle from Paddock’s centre half, Thomas MacFarlane resulted in the referee pointing to the spot. What followed was a nicely slotted penalty into the bottom corner.

Paddock remained on the back foot for the majority of the first half however, looked dangerous at times on the counter attack. The away side almost did enough to only be one goal down at the break however, in the 43rd minute, the hosts doubled their lead.

Stretford Paddock were enjoying a spell of sustained pressure over their opponents before giving the ball away cheaply. Haydock’s quick counter attack exposed Paddock’s high defensive line and their striker found himself one on one with Vic Gimenez in net. Gimenez came out off of his line to put pressure on the Haydock forward but the quick forward’s instincts helped him knock the ball past Vic and slot the ball home.

Things went from bad to worse. Before Paddock could be saved by the referee’s whistle, they were 3 goals behind. Seconds after the restart from the second goal, a through ball down the right touch line fell to the feet of Haydock’s winger. A few big touches and pace got the attacker in a nice one and one position, his finish into the back of the net mustn’t be overlooked, however.

HT: Haydock 3-0 Stretford Paddock

It took Haydock only 7 minutes to make it 4-0 after the second began. Another ball over the top meant Paddock’s keeper, Gimenez, had to gamble. Vic failed to get to the ball before Haydock’s forward and his key touch on the ball bounced goalwards and crossed the line. Just like back in August, Paddock were 4-0 to Haydock once again.

This goal killed the tempo of the game. Stretford Paddock, showed glimpses of positivity in the second half through sustained periods of possession but the muddy, torn up pitch as well as the current scoreline made things difficult for them. Haydock were quite happy to defend when required and make things difficult for Paddock, especially the away side’s forwards who had a quiet game.

FT: Haydock 4-0 Stretford Paddock

Stretford Paddock: Victor Gimenez, Michael Burke, James Oatt (C), Thomas MacFarlane, Callum Kilroe, Nosa Iyamu, Joe Coleman, Kayode Adewale, Aftab Jan, Daniel Bakare, Joao De Andrade

Subs: Paulo Dos Santos, Nasser Shakoor

On Saturday afternoon, Stretford Paddock’s return to the Cheshire League went from bad to worse. After a 5-0 trouncing last week, a late Atherton Laburnum winner would mean Paddock’s new year form would be 2 losses from 2 – something unthinkable only a few weeks earlier.

The first half began in a fairly open manner with both sides enjoying possession and advancing into one another’s final third’s. It was in the 32nd minute where Paddock conceded first for the second week on the bounce. Could it have been too many mince pies over the Christmas period?

Atherton’s left back played a nicely weighted pass from deep in behind the Paddock high defensive line. What followed was a race for the ball between the away sides winger and Paddock’s CB, Thomas MacFarlane. The pace of Atherton’s attackers would go on to cause Paddock trouble for the rest of the afternoon and in this case, the winger got the better of MacFarlane. A ball across goal was then picked up by the late of run of Amir Marcos. His shot headed goal-wards and found the back of the net.

Paddock responded excellently – with a goal just 7 minutes later. Ronaldo Brown did well out on the right hand side to knock the ball past his defender and drill in a low cross past the keeper. Abdullah Saeed then used his strikers instinct to throw himself on the end of the ball and guide it into the back of the net. A brilliant goal for Paddock and a chance to construct some momentum.

HT: Stretford Paddock 1-1 Atherton Laburnum U23’s

The second half saw a lot of good energy and link up play between the away side’s front 3. They caused Paddock’s midfield and defence problems but a good performance from Victor Gimenez kept Paddock in the game.

One save to note was Vic’s fabulous finger tip touch onto the post to keep a long range strike out and the scores level at 1-1.

In the 65th minute, Jainiero Salmon-Harris had a chance to put Paddock in the lead. Salmon-Harris dummied his defender on the edge of the box in classic ‘Jainiero style’ before shooting on target. His shot however went down the mouth of the goal and was easy for the goalkeeper to keep out.

Just when it looked like the points were going to be shared, Atherton Laburnum showed some quality late on in the game and snatched all three points. Pierce Ryan received a pass on the right hand edge of the Paddock penalty area. Using his quick feet, he beat one defender and then quickly got a shot away. Before the Paddock defence and keeper could react, the ball had hit the roof of the net – 2-1 to the away side.

FT: Stretford Paddock 1-2 Atherton Laburnum U23’s

Stretford Paddock: Victor Gimenez, James Oat (C), Thomas MacFarlane, Michael Burke, Paulo Incaque, Jainiero Salmon-Harris, Nosa Iyamu, Kayode Adewale, Ronaldo Brown, Abdullah Saeed, Joao De Andrade

Subs: Raphe Barber, Callum Kilroe, Yahya Romanillos, Joe Coleman

After 3 consecutive wins and a lengthy winter break, Stretford Paddock’s return to action saw them concede 5 goals at home to St Michaels DH. For the first time since August, Paddock failed to score a single goal in a game – something Ste’s men will be hoping is just an anomaly.

The game started fairly evenly however, in the 20th minute, the away side broke the deadlock. A nicely struck shot from outside the box was headed goal-wards but fortunately, straight in to the path of Paddock’s keeper, Dan McKenna. Disaster struck. A mistake from the home side’s keeper saw the ball bounce underneath him and into the back of the net.

5 minutes later, the away side doubled their lead. A shot from a similar position to the first goal was guided into the bottom corner of McKenna’s net. This time round, there was not much Paddock’s man in net could do – 2-0 St Michaels.

HT: Stretford Paddock 0-2 St Michaels DH

The first 5 minutes of the second half were bright for Stretford Paddock however, a sloppy mistake resulted in a terrible start. Paddock were pressed whilst in possession and then a loose pass from Kayode Adewale left St Michaels number 9 in on goal. The visitors’ attacker nicely beat the keeper and slotted the ball into an empty net to score his side’s third goal of the day.

In minute 60, St Michaels put the game to bed. A freekick from 30 yards out quite beautifully hit around the wall and into the near corner of the goal. Paddock were on their way to their first loss since November.

Before the 70th minute mark, things began to border on embarrassing for Paddock as they conceded goal number 5. St Michaels’ number 7 received the ball in behind the Paddock defence after a beautifully waited pass from his teammate in the middle of the park. What followed was a direct and skilful run goal-wards before a perfectly executed finish past the keeper from a tight angle.

Already well and truly defeated, Paddock were handed the chance for a consolation goal when substitute, Cameron Watters, was brought down in the box in the 85th minute. Vice captain, Nosa Iyamu’s penalty however, was saved to complete a truly forgettable day for Stretford Paddock.

FT: Stretford Paddock 0-5 St Michaels DH

Stretford Paddock: Daniel McKenna, James Oatt (C), Thomas MacFarlane, Michael Burke, Paulo Incaque, Dom Molloy, Nosa Iyamu, Janiero Salmon-Harris, Tom Jones, Joao De Andrade, Abdullah Saeed.

Subs: Kayode Adewale, Ronaldo Brown, Raphe Barber, Cameron Watters, Nasser Shakoor

This Saturday, Stretford Paddock take on Ashton Town Reserves in the Cheshire League for the second weekend on the bounce. It was only 6 days ago when goals from Tom Jones, Omar Sinclair and Abdullah Saeed helped Paddock add another away win to their impressive campaign so far. This week, Paddock will be the hosts.

Opponent Watch

Ashton Town Reserves were a team that made things difficult for Paddock last Saturday. They defended hard and also built sustained attacks from the back. Even when Paddock netted their third goal and the game seemed to be out of Ashton’s reach, the home side continued to apply phases of pressure onto Paddock.

Perhaps losing to Paddock will ignite even more fire into Ashton Town’s bellies?

Situational Preview

A loss last week for Ashton means that a win for them this week is vital. They sit 4th from bottom in the league (12th) however, West Didsbury & Chorlton, who are sit in 13th, have 3 games in hand on Ashton.

A loss tomorrow could see Ashton Town drop as far down as 14th (second from bottom) – Ashton are going to be up for it; they need a win. Paddock are going to be in for a tough game.

Things are more positive for Paddock. A win could see Paddock go level on points with Bollington who are currently in 3rd place – Bollington’s goal difference is far superior to Paddock’s, however. Stretford Paddock are 4 points off of 2nd place with 3 games in hand on F.C. St Helens who currently occupy that spot.

As of now, Upton JFC seem set to finish top but Paddock have every chance of finishing in the other promotion place, should they continue their current form.

Team News

Back in the squad this weekend is Tom MacFarlane. A back injury meant that MacFarlane was sidelined last weekend. Despite forming a great partnership with James Oatt over the past few weeks, a place back in the starting 11 for Tommy is not guaranteed. This is due to the impressive performance last week at centre half from youngster, Callum Kilroe.

Also back up for selection is Dom Molloy. Dom has been out with an elbow injury for a number of weeks now. Dom is a man who had an immediate positive impact at the club after his arrival and his return from injury is therefore a huge positive.

🚨𝗙𝗜𝗫𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 🚨

for the second weekend in a row we play 𝗔𝘀𝗵𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀 this time at home.

📅 Sat 10 Dec
📍 Manchester Enterprise Academy, M22 9RH
⏲️ 2:00PM
🏆 @CheshireFL
🎟️ FREE#UpThePaddock pic.twitter.com/KF0XikfdPq

— Stretford Paddock FC (@SPaddockFC) December 9, 2022

By Andre La Barbera

Stretford Paddock are back in action this weekend in the Cheshire League with their first fixture this season against Ashton Town Reserves. After advancing into the next round of the J A Walton Challenge Cup last weekend, Paddock need to keep wining in the league if they want promotion come the end of the season.

Opponent Watch

Ashton Town Reserves are currently sat in the lower half of the table – in 12th place.

The side with a Wigan postcode currently have 12 points to their name, made up from 4 wins and 9 losses.

Despite being in the bottom half, Ashton Town are a side who can score goals. They have only failed to score in a game twice in 13 games this season – not bad for a side not doing so too well according to the table.

Ashton Town have netted 31 goals this season and will be no doubt planning on bagging some more this weekend. Their goals are nicely split amongst their squad with there top goalscorer, Stuart McDonald, only having 3 of those 31 goals.

This suggests that Paddock are going to be facing a tough team oriented side in Ashton Town Reserves.

Situational Preview

Stretford Paddock still have games in hand on all but 3 teams in the Cheshire League Division 2. As manager, Stephen Howson, has said in previous interviews, Paddock will be looking at one game at a time rather than thinking about promotion or a title challenge.

A win for Paddock and a loss for St Michaels DH would see Paddock move up into 4th spot – just 2 places off the promotion spots.

Should teams below Paddock win however, and Paddock lose, Ste’s boys could drop down as far as 9th place. This shows us how close things seem to be down in mid-table.

Ashton Town will have their eye’s on a win only. A loss tomorrow could see them drop down to 14th place (second bottom) should Pilkington U23’s and West Didsbury & Chorlton Reserves both obtain victories.

Team News

It’ll be interesting to see what team, Director of Football, Bill Prendergast, decides to go with.

Since Ste’s absence, Bill has made some interesting and effective call’s which have seen Paddock obtain 2 victories.

Bill has taken striker, Abdullah Saeed (AB) from the Development side and into the 1st team where he has been effective as a striker as well as moving Tom Jones into a wider position.

With the return of Ronaldo Brown from Qatar, it will be interesting to see how this forward dynamic changes.

🚨𝗙𝗜𝗫𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 🚨

We are back in league action and take on 𝗔𝘀𝗵𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀 in the second away game in a row.

📅 Sat 3 Dec
📍 The Hebs Group Stadium, WN4 8SL
⏲️ 2:00PM
🏆 @CheshireFL
🎟️ FREE#UpThePaddock pic.twitter.com/wdYS5JbDFx

— Stretford Paddock FC (@SPaddockFC) December 2, 2022

By Andre La Barbera

U21’s

This week saw Paddocks U21’s take on Hartford U21’s in what proved to be a closer affair than the score line presented.

The game was evenly poised going into the latter stages of the first half and then, madness began to unfold – 3 goals in the space of 8 minutes to be precise! Hartford netted twice and then, a great cross into the box via Toby Schwab found the unmarked Marcel Kinsi who slotted home right on half time.

The second half started at a fast pace with both teams netting again, thanks to Sean Colbert. He made the game 3-2 going into the last 35 minutes.

A mistake from the Paddock keeper meant that Hartford went 4-2 up however, a great cross in from Tiago Baço was met by Alan Kay who managed to score on consecutive days this weekend. Kay had now scored for Paddock’s Development side and U21’s, making the scoreline on the day 4-3.

Paddock, pressing for an equaliser, then fell short as a breakaway goal was scored by our opponents to seal our fate as we came out on the wrong end of a 5-3 loss.

It was certainly Paddock’s best performance in the month of November and it’s definitely something to build upon. We play Hartford away in a couple of weeks where we are confident we can return the favour.

Stretford Paddock U21’s FC 3-5 Hartford FC

Paddock Goals: Marcel Kinsi, Sean Colbert, Alan Kay

MOTM – Marcel Kinsi

Development

Last Saturday, Stretford Paddock Devs earned their first point of the season away at Manchester South 1st’s.

Stretford Paddock started the game with relentless work focusing in particular on diamonds and triangles in their build up phase. Paddock played some of their best football this season with free flowing 1 and 2 touch passing.

The excellent, Charles Frapwell scored a long range effort and had the opportunity to put Paddock 2 up after forcing a great save from the South Manchester goalkeeper from another sweeping move.

In the 2nd half, South Manchester 1st’s seemed to be more up for it and attacked Paddock relentlessly. Paddock kept to their defensive principles and shape to frustrate the opposition. Unfortunately for Paddock, the home side’s pressure eventually paid off with South Manchester socirng 2 goals in relatively quick succession. Paddock equalised with minutes remaining and Alan Kay’s goal sealed Paddock their first point of the season.

Our Devs face Moston Brook on Saturday where they will look to get even more points on the board.

South Manchester 1st 2-2 Stretford Paddock Development

Paddock Goals: Charles Frapwell (9′), Alan Kay (85′)

Amateurs

Last weekend, Stretford Paddock Amateurs were hoping to turn recent improvements into some points on the board. Milton 1st’s were this weeks opposition.

They were faced however, with an uphill battle straight from the start as they played the match with 10 players due to some late changes in circumstances for players due to be involved.

While trying to adjust to playing with a player less, the opposition capitalised and scored an early goal. Paddock responded well however and worked tirelessly to keep out Milton, reducing them mostly to balls into wide areas and dealing with crosses into the box.

The team managed to break forward a few times and thought they had earned a penalty when Richie Adjei was tripped up in the box with the score still 1-0. The referee waved play on.

Despite their best efforts, the Amateurs conceded two more goals before half time. The first of these was an excellent shot from distance flying into the top corner while the second was a quick shot off a loose ball following an initial block.

Paddock started the second half positively, holding their shape well and forcing mistakes out of the opposition. As knocks and fatigue crept in though, Paddock started to concede more chances requiring some last ditch tackles and excellent saves by keeper Victor Gimenez. Vic was given plenty of praise from the opposition. Milton would go on to score two more goals during the second half, making the score 5-0 at full-time.

A disappointing outcome for Paddock that overshadows a committed performance over 90 minutes.

Stretford Paddock Amateurs 0 – 5 Milton 1st’s

1st’s

Match preparation was again challenging with traffic chaos forcing changes to the starting line up against Moore United in the Cup.

The messages were clear though and a positive front foot approach saw a swift exchange with Paddock going close early on. An immediate response from the home side however, saw them go in front when we failed to clear a hopeful ball into our box. Moore United clinically capitalised on Paddock’s failed clearance. 1-0 to Moore United.

Following the early set-back, Paddock equalised smartly following an attack down the right hand side with Tom Jones supplying a terrific ball to the far post. Joao De Andrade was in the right place at the right time to knock the ball into the back of the net.

Paddock then went in front following further good pressure with Tom Jones providing the final ball for Joao De Andrade to finish excellently – very similarly to the first goal.

Stretford Paddock really looked assured and were able to make several tactical changes which continued to creating an array of chances. Paddock however, failed to convert any of them, the best of which was from Abdullah Saeed who received the ball on the half way line. He took on the whole of Moore United’s defence only to see his effort hit the post and come back out.

Moore United equalised on the 69th minute converting excellently from a free kick. Yet, within minutes, Paddock were back in front with Nosa Iyamu converting a penalty award with aplomb, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Moore United again equalised from a free kick again hitting the target with power.

Our winner came late following an intelligent first time ball into a dangerous area from Mikey Burke. With our two centre half’s combining, Tommy MacFarlane converted clinically, showing our front foot approach mindset was still evident right to the end.

Moore United 3-4 Stretford Paddock

Paddock Goals: De Andrade (11′, 21′), Iyamu (72′), MacFarlane (87′)

Paddock head into the next round of the J A Walton Challenge Cup!

Moore United vs Stretford Paddock
J A Walton Challenge Cup
Grange Sports and Social Club | 26/11/22 | 14:00

Following a tough 3-2 victory over Hartford last Saturday, Stretford Paddock will be confident heading into this weekend’s game. We take on Moore United for the first time this season, but it’ll be in the cup. For the second week, Paddock will be without the gaffer, Stephen Howson, meaning his players will have to give 110% to progress into the next round.

Opposition Watch

Moore United, a team we’ve not yet faced this season, play in the same division as Paddock; Division 2 of the Cheshire Football League. They find themselves three points below Stretford Paddock in 8th place with 19 points, whereas Howson’s men sit in 5th.

This weekend’s opponents have been in patchy form thus far, winning just two out of their last five league games. Their last two games however, have ended in two back-to-back victories against West Dids and Chorlton Reserves, who sit in 14th place in the table. They have conceded a whopping nine goals in their last five games, but with the help of star man Kane Hacket – they have scored six in their last two.

Kane Hackett is certainly the man to watch out for. In 11 appearances for Moore United, he’s grabbed five goals and seven assists. A tally of 12 G/A in 11 league games makes Hackett a clear danger man – one that Paddock will need to stop

Game Guide

The game will be the opening round of the J A Walton Challenge Cup which involves all teams from the Cheshire Football League – from League 1 and League 2 groups. It’s Paddock’s first time in the competition whereas Moore United were knocked out in the first-round last year. The winner will progress to the second round, then the quarter final and so on and so forth.

Both sides are similarly matched in the league, so there is a good chance this will be a good test for the boys.

With near enough identical league records, after the same number of games, the game is set to be a close one. Paddock have been in better form however, losing just one in their last seven, which bodes well for the fixture.

Team News

Good news for Paddock is that Jainero Salmon-Harris is set to be available for the fixture after recovering from a concussion. Ironically, this will give Bill a headache over his midfield selection for the game.

Salmon-Harris is a midfield player who offers calmness and quality to the Paddock midfield. After injuries, suspensions and work commitments all caused damaged Paddock’s midfield in recent weeks, the possible return of Salmon-Harris is nothing but positive.

While one midfielder has returned, Dom Molloy will still be missing for our cup game as he is still recovering from his injury sustained against Heyside.

Paddock will also be without forward, Ronaldo Brown, for one more week but fortunately, new first team addition – Abdullah Saeed (AB) will be able to step in after scoring in his last game.

🚨𝗙𝗜𝗫𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 🚨

We’re away to 𝗠𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 in the 𝗝 𝗔 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗖𝘂𝗽.

📅Sat 26 Nov
📍Grange Sports & Social Club, WA4 1QH
⏲️ 2:00PM
🏆@CheshireFL J A Walton Challenge Cup
🎫 FREE#UpThePaddock pic.twitter.com/udsY28Qxru

— Stretford Paddock FC (@SPaddockFC) November 25, 2022

By Ben Rudd