Report

Stretford Paddock came from behind in thrilling fashion to defeat Clay Brow 2–1. A late penalty from captain Joao De Andrade capped off a spirited second-half fightback.

First Half

The visitors, who began the match three points behind Stretford Paddock, raced out of the blocks to take the lead in the sixth minute. They capitalised on a sliced clearance from Michael Olatunji, which presented their striker with a one-on-one against loanee goalkeeper Rhys Holmes. Brow’s forward showed composure, lobbing Holmes before nodding into an empty net to give the visitors an early advantage.

Paddock refused to dwell on the setback, and Sam Pratt almost struck back immediately, though his close-range attempt was comfortably gathered by the Brow goalkeeper.

The home side found it difficult to break through Brow’s compact defensive shape, despite the best efforts of midfield duo Joe Coleman and debutant Joe McGuinness to feed the front line. To bypass the Lancashire outfit’s congestion through the middle, manager Stephen Howson instructed his side to use the flanks to stretch the play, an approach that soon began to bear fruit.

Most of Paddock’s threat came down the right-hand side, where captain Joao De Andrade drove forward and delivered a low cross into the box, finding Pratt. The striker’s first-time strike, however, was safely claimed by Brow’s number one. Moments later, right-back Luke Morris whipped in another inviting delivery toward Pratt, but the ball flashed agonisingly beyond his outstretched leg.

On the brink of half-time, Paddock had one final opportunity when De Andrade surged through the middle, slipping a perfectly weighted pass into Pratt. His low effort from the right-hand channel was once again collected by the alert goalkeeper, ensuring Brow held their lead at the break.

Second Half

Paddock began the second half brightly, with De Andrade again at the centre of their attacking play. The lively forward picked out Pratt inside the area, but his shot on the half-turn flew over the bar.

Despite maintaining the long-ball approach, Paddock struggled to create clear-cut chances. A half chance fell for Pratt outside the box when stand-in full-back Zack Bell flicked on his header into the striker’s path, though his rushed attempt fizzed past the left post.

Centre-back Sam Walker then tried his luck from distance, but his long-range strike was comfortably held by the visiting keeper as Brow continued to defend resolutely.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 85th minute. Academy starlet Kiefer Cole stepped up and produced a moment of pure quality, curling a stunning free-kick from the edge of the box over the wall and into the top right corner, sailing beyond the goalkeeper’s reach to level the score.

Just two minutes later, Brow almost hit back when a long ball broke Paddock’s offside trap. Their attacker looked destined to score, yet Olatunji’s superb recovery pace prevented what could have been a decisive goal.

Then came the crucial moment deep into stoppage time. Substitute Claudio Costa finally found a way for Paddock to unlock Brow’s compact defence, threading a perfectly weighted through ball behind their back line. It released top goalscorer Pratt, who had been a constant menace throughout the match. As he tried to round the goalkeeper, the man between the sticks brought him down, leaving the referee with little choice but to point to the spot.
With the home crowd holding its breath, captain fantastic De Andrade showed ice-cold composure from 12 yards, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and slotting low into the bottom-right corner to complete a dramatic turnaround.

It was a performance built on resilience and belief as Paddock ended their losing streak in style. Howson’s men showed real character to fight back after falling behind early and were rewarded for their persistence with two moments of late brilliance.

The result sees Stretford Paddock sitting fifth in the table, now six points clear of Clay Brow, and back in contention for promotion heading into the second half of the season.

It was a weekend full of goals and momentum across Stretford Paddock FC, with several sides turning in standout performances. While the first team remain without a fixture, the rest of the club kept standards high, from the Women extending their unbeaten run and the Amateurs fighting back for a valuable point, to the youth sides putting in dominant displays. The energy around the club continues to build as every team looks to carry their form into November.

Avro FC 1 – 5 Stretford Paddock FC Womens

The Stretford Paddock Women’s team continued to impress in their debut season for the club, securing a convincing 5–1 victory over Avro FC. After a strong first half, the team truly came alive after the break, showcasing their quality and determination. Martha Atkinson stole the show with a brilliant second-half hat-trick to claim the match ball. The result reflects the team’s excellent organisation and attacking flair, as they now sit top of the table with the best goal difference after seven games. It’s a fantastic start that highlights the growing strength and togetherness within the squad.

Rochdalians 2 – 2 Stretford Paddock Amateurs

Stretford Paddock Amateurs showed great resilience in their visit to Rochdalians on a fine autumn afternoon. After conceding twice in the first half, Paddock faced an uphill battle going into the break 2–0 down. However, the team responded superbly after half-time, with goals from Mouhamed Gueye and Khalid Kharufa earning a well-deserved point. The comeback demonstrated real determination and team spirit, highlighting the squad’s growing confidence and belief. The result leaves Paddock just above mid-table, but only three points off top spot, keeping them firmly in the title race.

Stretford Paddock Whites (Under 13) 16 – 0 Boundary Park

Stretford Paddock Whites U13 produced a dominant performance this weekend, running out 16–0 winners against Boundary Park. The team showed impressive attacking flair, with nine different players getting on the scoresheet, a testament to their teamwork and depth across the pitch. Oscar was named Man of the Match after an outstanding display that set the tone for the victory. Despite currently sitting 7th in the league, the side have three games in hand and look well placed to climb the table. With momentum building and a cup fixture on the horizon next week, confidence in the camp is clearly on the rise.

Middleton Lads and Girls 21’s 2 – 9 Stretford Paddock Under 18s

Stretford Paddock U18s continued their perfect start to the season with a commanding 9–2 win away at Middleton Lads and Girls 21s. On a tricky, soft surface, the team followed instructions well, keeping things simple at the back and pressing high to force mistakes. Early pressure from Harley Watson led to Phoenix opening the scoring, with further goals from Yunisa, Marshall, Edel, and Sonnie giving Paddock a 5–0 lead at half-time. Despite a brief lapse allowing Middleton to pull one back early in the second half, the lads quickly reasserted control with goals from Lewis, Harley, Phoenix again, and Yunisa to complete the rout. Although a late Middleton goal slightly spoiled the scoreline, it was another strong team performance full of attacking intent and discipline. The win keeps Paddock’s 100% record intact as they move confidently into November top of the table.

Stretford Paddock 2 – 1 Sandbach United Reserves

By Lloyd Griffin

Stretford Paddock extended their winning streak in extraordinary fashion, coming from behind late on to defeat Sandbach United Reserves 2–1. Paddock delivered a spirited finish to what was an unpredictable afternoon and one that showcased both resilience and resolve after a scrappy second-half spell.

First Half

Despite making enforced wholesale changes, including Stretford Paddock’s leading goalscorer Sam Pratt who was out due to sickness, the opening twenty minutes saw Paddock dictate possession with confidence. The home side moved the ball purposefully through midfield and switched play intelligently. Their control, however, was balanced by Sandbach’s lively counterattacks, which posed a constant threat whenever possession was lost.

An early warning came when a back-pass mix-up forced Paddock’s number 1, Salceanu to head clear under pressure, only for the visitors to pounce on the loose ball. Centre-half Michael Olatunji reacted brilliantly though, clearing off the line before Paddock were forced into another desperate stop from the resulting corner.

Moments later, Paddock nearly took the lead. A curling free-kick from 16-year-old Kiefer Cole crashed against the underside of the bar, with players and fans alike questioning whether it had crossed the line. Making his first start of the season, the young, exciting winger certainly made an impression early on with his energy and confidence on the ball. Just two minutes later, another set-piece from Cole sailed narrowly over as Paddock pushed for the breakthrough.

At the other end, Sandbach’s long throws continued to trouble the defence, one resulting in a free header comfortably gathered by the Paddock keeper, a reminder that the visitors remained dangerous from set plays.

As the half progressed, Paddock’s, Luke Morris came close from a 33rd-minute free-kick that skimmed just past the post, while Cole was forced off with an injury making it a major blow to Paddock’s first-half attacking rhythm. He was replaced by fellow under-18 starlet Noah Lawton, who looked to enter the fray with the same offensive intent as the youngster he replaced.

Sandbach had one final chance before the interval, breaking from a disappointing Paddock corner to create a two-on-one, only for the Spaniard between the posts to rush out and claim a loose ball bravely. Then, just before half-time, a last-ditch recovery from Olatunji once more denied Sandbach a clear route to goal.

 Goalless at the break, Paddock could feel pleased with their defensive effort but frustrated that their early dominance hadn’t produced a breakthrough.

Second Half

Sandbach started the second half with greater purpose and immediately carved out chances, one close-range effort flashing just wide of the right post. Paddock, by contrast, appeared sluggish in possession with their passing lacking sharpness, and the intensity of the first half began to fade.

A 48th-minute attempt from the opposition, struck from distance, flew over the bar, summing up a disjointed spell for Howson’s men. Moments later, however, Paddock’s lively Number 7, Joao De Andrade, drew a foul from his skilful turn which led to a dangerous free-kick. Mike Taylor’s long-range effort rattled the crossbar once again – the second time the woodwork had denied Paddock.

Despite those flashes, Sandbach continued to look dangerous on the break. A threaded through ball in the 60th minute sliced open Paddock’s high line, leaving the opponent’s striker one-on-one with Salceanu. Fortunately for Paddock, the forward lost his footing at the crucial moment, allowing the hosts to clear their lines and breathe a sigh of relief.

As the game became stretched, Paddock began to rediscover their rhythm. Damani Hall went close with a curling strike that fizzed past the top corner, but it was Sandbach who struck first moments later. A flowing move down the right ended with a low cross into their attacker, who swept home to make it 1–0 in the 63rd minute. A deserved lead after a spell of sloppy play from Paddock.

Howson responded by reintroducing the tricky Cole, alongside Ronaldo Brown, making his first appearance after a spell on the sidelines to inject fresh urgency. The change lifted the side, but finishing remained erratic. Efforts from Hall, Wilson, and Morris all flew narrowly off target as frustration began to grow in the home end.

The turning point arrived in the 85th minute. After a dominant passage of play, a Sandbach handball inside the area from our corner gave Paddock a lifeline. De Andrade stepped up and cooly dispatched his penalty into the bottom corner, past the goalkeeper’s outstretched arm and igniting belief around the ground.

With momentum shifting, Paddock surged forward. Taylor’s curling effort skimmed wide before Cole, now fully rejuvenated, produced a dazzling run, gliding past three defenders and delivering a teasing cross that begged to be finished. Once again, Cole was at the fulcrum of every Paddock attack.

Then came the moment of brilliance. Deep into stoppage time, Omar Sinclair stepped up with a firecracker of a free-kick from range. His thunderous effort flew past Sandbach’s stranded keeper who could only helplessly watch the ball glide into the top left corner. Sinclair capped off his first appearance of the season in dramatic fashion, sending Paddock’s supporters into ecstasy.

The victory sees Paddock move to within just three points of league leaders Daten, maintaining their upward momentum on the march toward the summit of the table.

Stretford Paddock are on the verge of promotion after a Sam Pratt hat-trick helped his side to a thumping 9-2 victory over ten-man Lymm Rovers.

Paddock shown no mercy as they got off to a flying start in a dominant first half, having nearly taken the lead inside the opening couple of minutes where Pratt narrowly screwed the ball over from a Joao de Andrade low driven cross.

Although minutes later Paddock took the lead as a long throw in from the left fell kindly to Pratt, in the six-yard box, after being flicked on at the near post who diverted it past the helpless keeper.

Paddock doubled the lead inside the first quarter of an hour as Florin Salceanu found Danny Hugo with a long ball over the defence. The right backs strike saw the keeper parry down into the area which seen Sam Pratt slide in to convert for his second.

Paddock continued to pile on the pressure creating multiple chances whilst limiting Lymm to a couple speculative long-range efforts. Both of which never troubled Salceanu in the Paddock goal.

The pressure eventually did tell, with just over half an hour gone Cam Watters drove into the box from the left before being brought down, earning Paddock a penalty which De Andrade smashed into the bottom left corner.

There was still time for more action in the first half, when De Andrade intercepted a poor clearing kick from the keeper and as the winger took the ball down the right, looking for options in the box, a low driven cross found Damani Hall at the far post who calmly placed his shot into the bottom giving Paddock their fourth of the afternoon.

The second half saw Paddock continue where they left off, with just under ten minutes gone in the first half De Andrade again from the right found Hall in the box whose shot was blocked before a second shot was cleared off the line only as far as De Andrade back on the right. A lofted cross this time found Pratt who smashed the ball into the back of the net for his hat-trick. However, whilst Paddock celebrated the Ref shown a red to a Lymm attacker following words of dissent.

Paddock received a second penalty of the afternoon after De Andrade, ran onto a ball on his ever-present right wing, and as always driving direct before being tripped in the area. Up stepped Zak Bell much to the discontent of Salceanu, who ran the full length of the field in attempt to claim the spot kick, the midfielder then smashed the ball into the bottom left leaving the keeper rooted to his spot.

With just over an hour played, Paddock earned a free kick 30 yards out. Substitute Brian Sofola whipped a curling effort over the wall and kissing the foot of the post on its way in.

Lymm got their first of the afternoon as a quick turnover allowed Lymm to send the striker clean through from the halfway line, and despite the best efforts of Salceanu the Spaniard was rounded and the ball was placed into an empty net.

Then came the goal of the afternoon came as Joe Coleman picked up a loose ball in the attacking third prior to unleashing a long range shot which flew over the keeper into the far top left corner of the net.

Lymm then responded with a speculative goal themselves as a tame paddock clearance fell to a Lymm midfielder in plenty of space and a shot flew into the top corner just out of reach of Salceanu.

Hugo rounded up the action with a well taken goal as a tackle inside the Lymm half fell to the Paddock right back his touch with his right took it past the first defender before flicking it back past the second defender and unleashing a left footed shot to score the eleventh and final goal of the afternoon.

The win means Paddock have promotion in their own hands and victory against Hartford in the final game of the season would see Paddock earn promotion. However, any dropped points could still see Paddock promoted depending on the result of third placed Mersey Valley who play Champions St Helens Town in their final game.

By Dhruv Shah

Stretford Paddock 5 (J. de Andrade 15’, S. Pratt 22’, D. Hall 46’, M. Taylor 50’, J. Coleman 61’) beat Hartford FC 2 (F. Fritton 10’, E. Jones 65’) 

Following a wobble at the beginning of March, Stretford Paddock have bounced back spectacularly, recording their 3rd consecutive league win in Cheshire League 2, beating Hartford FC by a 5-2 margin at the Moss Farm Leisure Complex, solidifying their grip on 2nd place in the league table.

Paddock went into this game on the back of a couple of 2-1 victories, against Mersey Valley and Newton-Le-Willows respectively. With confidence growing within the team, the men in red were ready for the crucial game against Hartford FC. Fulwood was given the armband in this game, and it was the attacking trio of Joao de Andrade, Damani Hall and Sam Pratt who would once again cause havoc in the attacking half for the reds.

It was a rather unspectacular start to the match for Paddock, as Franky Fritton from Hartford scored the opening goal in the 10th minute. However, Paddock were able to land a punch themselves within the next 5 minutes, with Watters being brought down inside the penalty box and Joao de Andrade stepping up to convert the spot-kick, making it 1-1 inside the opening quarter hour of the game.

On the 20th-minute mark, Sam Pratt found some room inside the box by making a darting run from the far post, slotting the ball into the back of the net to give Paddock the lead. The Reds did not back down after getting the lead, with the relentless pressure almost resulting in another goal as Damani Hall hit the post just before the break. The half-time whistle came at the right moment for Hartford, allowing them to reset for the second half.

However, those hopes were crushed by Damani Hall within seconds of the second half, as Paddock managed to score a scrappy goal to give themselves a 2-goal cushion. In the 50th minute, Mike Taylor came up with a tidy finish and put the game beyond any doubt, increasing their lead to 3 goals. However, around the 60th-minute mark, Joe Coleman put the icing on the cake by scoring a beautiful goal from outside the box, making it 5-1 to Stretford Paddock.

In the 65th minute, Hartford were able to pull a goal back via Ethan Jones, but the game had already been decided by then. Coach Stephen Howson was able to rotate his squad as the clock started ticking down towards the final whistle. In the 72nd minute, Kiefer Cole and Leland Irvine were brought on for the away side, and it was followed by another couple of substitutions in the 84th minute as Noah Lawton and Frankie Warburton came on. The changes meant that there were five 16-year-olds on the field when the full-time whistle was blown by the referee, a testament to Stretford Paddock’s focus on youth development.

It was a significant victory for Stretford Paddock, as they gained three crucial points in the race for promotion. Another positive for the Reds was that Mersey Valley, their biggest competitor for the top two spots, lost their game against Newton-Le-Willows, opening up a 4-point gap between them. Paddock’s next league game is against Lymm Rovers, another team which is a genuine rival in the fight for promotion. It promises to be a thrilling encounter and we hope to see you there!

Stretford Paddock continued their impressive run in the league with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Newton-Le-Willows, securing all three points and jumping to second place on the table. In a match filled with drama, stunning goals, and heroic saves, Paddock showed resilience to overcome their tough opponents.

Paddock kicked off with intent, dominating possession early on. However, the game took an unfortunate turn in the 8th minute when Dion Kemp went down with a nasty knee injury, forcing an early substitution. Edward Fulwood stepped in to replace him as play resumed.It didn’t take long for Paddock to capitalize on their attacking momentum. In the 21st minute, Damani Hall struck gold! After a slick exchange inside the box, his shot took a fortunate deflection, looping over the keeper and into the net. A stroke of luck? Maybe. But Hall’s instinct and lethal finishing put Paddock ahead. 1-0 Paddock! The lead could have been doubled moments later when Sam Pratt unleashed a thunderous strike from 35 yards out, only to be denied by an acrobatic save from the Newton-Le-Willows keeper. Joao De Andrade also came close in the 33rd minute, his shot whizzing inches over the crossbar. Despite the missed chances, Paddock went into halftime in control, leading 1-0.

Newton-Le-Willows came out stronger in the second half, testing Paddock’s defense. Goalkeeper Florin Salceanu was at his best, pulling off an outstanding save from a powerful free kick in the 52nd minute. However, the visitors found their equalizer in the 75th minute. A defensive lapse allowed William Bickerstaffe to slot home from close range, leveling the match at 1-1. The tension was palpable as both teams searched for a winner. Then, in the 81st minute, magic happened.

Michael Taylor, take a bow! Receiving a pass from Joao De Andrade just outside the box, Taylor let fly with a curling effort that nestled beautifully into the top right corner. A moment of sheer brilliance, sending the crowd into a frenzy! 2-1 Paddock! With only minutes left on the clock, Paddock had to dig deep. Newton-Le-Willows threw everything forward, but Salceanu stood tall, ensuring Paddock held on for a massive victory.

Full-Time: Paddock 2-1 Newton-Le-Willows

A massive win for Paddock, who now move into 2nd place with 40 points, overtaking Mersey Valley (39 points). With the season reaching its climax, every point is crucial, and this victory could prove to be a defining moment.

Man of the Match: Florin Salceanu

Presented by Schades, the Spaniard between the sticks was nothing short of phenomenal. His heroic saves ensured that Paddock didn’t drop crucial points. Without him, this result could have been very different.

Looking Ahead

Paddock will now focus on their next challenge, eager to maintain their push for the title. With performances like this, the belief within the squad continues to grow.

The last time these two teams met in December, it ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw. This time, Paddock made sure history didn’t repeat itself.

The title race is heating up—bring on the next match!

Stretford Paddock’s return to league action after the short break ended in disappointment as they fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat against league leaders St. Helens Town at Ruskin Drive Sports Ground. Despite a strong performance and an early lead, Paddock were undone by a second-half goal, leaving them in fourth place with 34 points.

This match was a landmark occasion for Joao de Andrade, who became the first player in Stretford Paddock history to reach 100 appearances for the club. The experienced defender led from the back as Paddock looked to repeat their stunning 4-0 victory over St. Helens in the JA Walton Challenge Cup last month.The game kicked off with Paddock looking sharp, pressing high and creating early opportunities. However, an early scare came in the 9th minute when a mix-up in defence almost gifted St. Helens an open-goal chance, only for their forward to miss the target.

The deadlock was broken in the 34th minute in spectacular fashion. Cameron Watters carried the ball from deep inside his own half before playing it to Damani Hall, who was surrounded by four defenders inside the box. Despite calls to pass, Hall took matters into his own hands and rifled the ball into the bottom left corner, sending the Paddock faithful into wild celebrations. Just as it seemed Paddock would take their lead into the break, disaster struck in stoppage time. A long ball forward from St. Helens was met by Ryan Cook, and in a moment of misfortune, Cameron Watters’ attempted clearance deflected past goalkeeper Florin Salceanu for an own goal. The first half ended 1-1, a frustrating way to close out an otherwise strong 45 minutes.

Paddock started the second half with intensity, making an early change as Eddie Fulwood replaced Dion Kemp in midfield. The men in red had a golden opportunity in the 51st minute when Joao de Andrade found himself in a perfect position inside the box but couldn’t keep his shot on target. St. Helens thought they had taken the lead in the 55th minute when a misplaced pass from Kayode Adewale led to a goal, but the linesman’s flag came to Paddock’s rescue as it was ruled offside.

However, the league leaders wouldn’t be denied for long. In the 66th minute, a perfectly delivered corner was met by Jake Sant, whose header found the back of the net to put St. Helens in front for the first time. Paddock didn’t go down without a fight, pushing forward in search of an equalizer. Cameron Watters came close in the 81st minute with a powerful strike that forced an excellent save from the St. Helens goalkeeper. The game also saw a historic moment as Brian Sofola became the first Irish player to represent Stretford Paddock, making his debut on St. Patrick’s weekend. A proud moment for both him and the club, despite the disappointing result. Despite a valiant effort, Paddock couldn’t find a way back into the game as St. Helens held on for the 2-1 win. The result sees Paddock slip to fourth place with 34 points, but they remain firmly in the race for promotion.

Next up is another crucial clash against Mersey Valley, where Paddock will be determined to bounce back and reignite their push for the top two. With the team showing resilience and quality throughout the match, there’s every reason to believe they will come back stronger.

Stretford Paddock’s run in the JA Walton Cup came to an end as they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat against Wythenshawe Reserves in the quarter-finals at Wythenshawe Football Club. A controversial first-half goal proved to be the decisive moment in a fiercely contested match, leaving Paddock frustrated and eliminated from the tournament.

The game began with high intensity, with both teams pressing aggressively and looking to gain early control. In the 3rd minute, Wythenshawe won a free kick from the center line, delivering a lofted ball into the penalty area. Their attacker rose highest to head the ball towards goal, but Florin, making his return to the starting XI, was alert to the danger and made a safe catch.

Paddock had a golden opportunity in the 14th minute when Damani Hall made an impressive interception in the opponent’s half. Driving forward with pace, he carried the ball into the penalty area before squaring it to Sam Pratt. However, Pratt couldn’t get the desired contact, firing his shot straight into the goalkeeper’s hands.

The defining moment of the first half arrived in the 44th minute. A precise pass from outside the box found a Wythenshawe attacker in space. With time to compose himself, he slotted the ball past Florin, sparking furious protests from the Paddock players and bench, who believed the goal should have been ruled offside. Despite their appeals, the referee allowed the goal to stand, giving Wythenshawe a crucial 1-0 lead. As halftime approached, Paddock found themselves trailing but determined to respond in the second half.

The second half began with Paddock pushing forward in search of an equalizer. In the 49th minute, Kayode Adewale showcased his skill and determination, driving into the opponent’s box and unleashing a powerful shot that narrowly missed the target. It was an encouraging sign as Paddock looked to turn the game around. Wythenshawe came close to doubling their lead in the 60th minute when a well-worked attack resulted in a shot crashing against the crossbar. The rebound fell kindly to another Wythenshawe attacker, but Florin pulled off a brilliant save to keep Paddock in the game.

Just five minutes later, Florin produced another moment of brilliance, making three consecutive saves in quick succession to deny Wythenshawe once again. In the 74th minute, controversy struck again. Adewale played a perfectly weighted through ball to Damani Hall, who raced past the onrushing goalkeeper and found himself in an open position. As he attempted to take his shot, he collided with an opposition defender and went down, appealing for a penalty. Instead of awarding the spot-kick, the referee sin-binned Hall for dissent, leaving Paddock temporarily down to 10 men.

Despite the setback, Paddock continued to push forward. Substitutions in the 81st and 85th minutes brought fresh legs, with Alfie Derry and Kiefer Cole entering the fray. In the 87th minute, Sam Pratt came agonizingly close to equalizing with a powerful shot that forced the goalkeeper into a full-stretch save. The ball skimmed past the post, inches away from leveling the score. Paddock continued to press in stoppage time, forcing corners and delivering dangerous crosses, but Wythenshawe’s defense held firm. The final whistle confirmed Paddock’s exit from the JA Walton Cup at the quarter-final stage.

With the cup campaign now over, their focus shifts back to the league, where they will look to bounce back and continue their push for a strong finish to the season.

Images by @callsaulmedia

Stretford Paddock’s Northern Cup dreams were dashed as they suffered a hard-fought 0-1 defeat against Arc FC in the 3rd round at the Project Solar Stadium. In an intense and fiercely contested match, a second-half penalty proved to be the decisive blow, knocking Paddock out of the cup. Despite a spirited display and several chances, they were unable to find the back of the net.

Right from the first whistle, it was clear this clash would be a test of physical and mental toughness. Both teams came out with aggressive intent, challenging every ball, pressing high, and engaging in heated duels all over the pitch. Paddock showed their attacking intent early on, nearly opening the scoring in the 6th minute. Cameron Watters delivered a dangerous cross into the box, aiming for Sam Pratt, who was perfectly positioned. However, the ball just eluded Pratt, missing a golden opportunity to take the lead. Just a minute later, Paddock came close again. Sam Pratt unleashed a powerful shot on target, but Arc FC’s goalkeeper made an outstanding save, diving full stretch to keep the scores level.

Arc FC responded quickly, showcasing their attacking prowess. In the 10th minute, they were awarded a free kick just outside the box. Their player struck a fierce shot that seemed destined for the bottom corner, but Jalal Anware produced a brilliant leg save while kneeling down, denying a certain goal. The pressure didn’t let up, and five minutes later, Anware was called into action once more. He made another crucial save, but the deflection fell kindly for an Arc FC attacker, whose follow-up shot rattled the post, giving Paddock a huge let-off.

The first half continued with end-to-end action, with both teams struggling to gain control in the midfield. The match was marked by heavy challenges, with bodies flying in for every 50-50 ball. Arc FC looked to break down Paddock’s defense, but the backline, led by Alexander Black and Joao De Andrade, held firm. Paddock created another opportunity in the 21st minute when a long throw-in into the box caused chaos. In the resulting scramble, Damani Hall attempted a shot but failed to keep it on target. Six minutes later, Hall turned provider, delivering a precise cross to Joao De Andrade, who connected well but was denied by yet another fantastic save from Arc FC’s goalkeeper. Despite several chances, Paddock couldn’t capitalize, and the teams went into halftime deadlocked at 0-0.

The second half resumed with the same intensity. Both sides continued to battle for dominance, with play concentrated in the midfield. However, the match took a pivotal turn in the 62nd minute. An exquisite through ball from Arc FC split the defense, finding their attacker in space. As he surged into the box, goalkeeper Jalal Anware rushed out in an attempt to close down the angle. In a desperate lunge, Anware made contact, bringing down the attacker and conceding a penalty. Arc FC’s penalty taker stepped up with confidence and coolly converted, sending Anware the wrong way and giving them the crucial 1-0 lead.

Stung by the setback, Paddock responded with urgency, pressing high and launching waves of attacks. Sam Pratt and Joao De Andrade continued to threaten, pushing Arc FC’s defense to its limits. However, a combination of disciplined defending and excellent goalkeeping kept them at bay. Looking for fresh legs and a spark in attack, Paddock made their only substitution in the 78th minute, bringing on Dylan Wilson for Dion Kemp. Wilson’s pace added a new dimension to their forward play, but Arc FC’s defense stood resolute. Paddock dominated possession in the final stages, forcing multiple corners and sending crosses into the box, but the decisive touch eluded them. Even in stoppage time, they piled on the pressure, but Arc FC held firm to secure their narrow victory.

With the cup campaign over, Stretford Paddock must now refocus their attention on the league. They will look to bounce back quickly and continue their push for a top spot, knowing that their spirited performance against Arc FC showed they can compete with the best.