Report

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.

Stretford Paddock 5  (Damani Hall 4’, 48’, Sam Pratt 5’, Joseph Coleman 26’, Joao De Andrade 84’)

Beat

Warrington Rylands Dev. 1  (Charlie George Martin 62’ pen.)

Stretford Paddock continued their rampant form with a commanding 5-1 victory over Warrington Rylands Dev. at the Project Solar Stadium. From the first whistle, Paddock imposed their authority, launching wave after wave of attacks and creating a flurry of goal-scoring opportunities. While the scoreline was impressive, it could have been even more punishing, as the hosts squandered several gilt-edged chances throughout the match. Riding high on their recent 3-0 triumph over Wigan Town, Paddock made just one change to the starting lineup, bringing in Kayode Adewale in defense. Their intent was clear from the start, and it took just four minutes for the floodgates to open.

The match had barely settled when Damani Hall set the tone in emphatic fashion. A perfectly timed header from Sam Pratt looped over the defensive line, and Hall latched onto it with a sublime first touch before rifling home the opener. Before Warrington could regroup, they found themselves picking the ball out of their net once again. This time, Hall turned provider, sliding a neat pass into the feet of Sam Pratt, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to double Paddock’s lead in the fifth minute. The home side was in complete control, dictating the tempo and cutting through the opposition’s defense at will.

Despite their early dominance, Paddock had a brief scare in the 24th minute when Warrington struck the post. However, their threat was fleeting, as Paddock reasserted control just two minutes later. Joseph Coleman pounced on a loose ball inside the box after a goalkeeping parry from Joao De Andrade’s initial effort, hammering a clinical finish into the bottom corner to make it 3-0.

Heading into halftime with a comfortable three-goal lead, Paddock made their first substitution, introducing Dion Kemp for Edward Fulwood. The second half began much like the first, with the hosts eager to pile on the misery. Within three minutes of the restart, Damani Hall struck again. Receiving a well-weighted pass from Daniel Hugo, Hall produced an exquisite turn and finish to send the home crowd into raptures. Paddock were flying at 4-0.

Warrington’s only real breakthrough came in the 62nd minute when they were awarded a penalty, which Charlie George Martin converted to bring the score to 4-1. Yet, the goal did little to shift the momentum, as Paddock remained relentless in attack. Paddock made further substitutions to keep the energy levels high, with Alfie Derry and Leland Irvine coming on to replace Sam Pratt and Mike Taylor. The changes proved effective, and in the 84th minute, Joao De Andrade finally got his reward. Navigating through a crowded penalty area, he found just enough space to tuck the ball into the bottom corner, capping off an impressive attacking display.

The final whistle confirmed a resounding 5-1 victory, but in truth, the scoreline could have been even more lopsided. Paddock created numerous clear-cut chances and could have easily added three or four more goals on another day. With this emphatic win, Paddock climbed to second place in the league standings with 34 points, edging one point ahead of Mersey Valley and closing the gap to just three points behind league leaders St Helens Town. With four wins in their last five matches, Paddock are building serious momentum as they push for the top spot. A brilliant brace, an assist, and an all-around stellar performance cemented Damani Hall as the standout player of the match. His movement, finishing, and ability to link up with teammates proved decisive in Paddock’s dominant display.

Up next, they face another crucial fixture that could define their season. If their attacking form continues, they will be an intimidating force for any opponent in the league.

Stretford Paddock 3 (Damani Hall 10’, Joao de Andrade 69’, Mike Taylor 90’)

Beat

Wigan Town 0

Stretford Paddock once again brought out their scintillating best in a high stakes match against Wigan Town, beating the home team by 3 goals, with Damani Hall, Joao de Andrade and Mike Taylor registering their names on the scoresheet. It was a significant moment for the youth ranks of Stretford Paddock as well, as Kiefer Cole came on in the 76th minute to become the youngest player to make an appearance for the first team at the age of 16 years and 1 day.

Following a statement win in the JA Walton Challenge Cup against Cheshire Football League leaders St. Helens Town, Stretford Paddock were riding high on confidence. However, they had drawn their last league game against Newton Athletic, and had hit a bump in the race for automatic promotion. Only 3 points separated Stretford Paddock and Wigan Town heading into this game, and it was expected to be a tight contest.

Jalal Anware came in to replace Florin in goal for Paddock, with the latter suffering a knock to the knee. 16-year-old Alfie Derry also made his debut in the starting XI for Stretford Paddock, with Fullwood taking the armband. The away team wasted no time as they were on the front foot from the first minute, and they reaped the rewards soon as Damani Hall put the ball into the back of the net in just the 10th minute of the game. In the 22nd minute, Paddock went close once more, this time through Mike Taylor, but his shot was blocked by the Wigan Town defenders. Chances were at a premium from that point on, and both sides went into the half-time break with everything to play for.

Paddock came out of the blocks just as intensely as they did in the first one, and they narrowly missed out on a penalty as Joao de Andrade was brought down in the 55th minute but the referee waved away any claims for a spot-kick. However, Paddock were not to be denied for a second time, as the referee pointed to the spot soon after, with Joao stepping up and slotting the penalty home in the 69th minute, giving Paddock a little bit of breathing space.

This allowed coach Stephen Howson to shuffle the pack around the little bit as well. Kiefer Cole, one of the brightest prospects in the Paddock academy, made his debut for the team one day after his sixteenth birthday, as he came on for fellow 16-year-old Alfie Derry in the 76th minute. In the 90th minute though, stalwart Mike Taylor put the icing on the cake as he scored with a fantastic volley to put Stretford Paddock 3-0 up. He was rightfully awarded the Malhi Convenience Foodstores Player of the Match award for his commanding performance in the middle of the park.

With this win, Paddock moved to third in the league table and within 2 points of Mersey Valley, who will be feeling the pressure from the reds breathing down their necks. Stretford Paddock have won 4 of their last 5 matches, and they will be looking to continue this great run of form against Warrington Rylands Dev., who are currently languishing amongst the bottom 3 teams of the league. Another huge game awaits Paddock on Saturday, 15th of February at the Project Solar Stadium.

By Dhruv Shah

Stretford Paddock 4 (Daniel Hugo 11’, Own Goal 26’, Damani Hall 33’, Claudio Costa 67’)
beat
St. Helens Town 0

Stretford Paddock had a lot of unanswered questions heading into the opening day of February, as they came up against St. Helens Town in the JA Walton Challenge Cup. They answered those questions emphatically, as they claimed a statement victory against Cheshire League 2 league leaders, defeating them 4-0 at the Project Solar Stadium.

Paddock went into the game against St. Helens Town on the back of an inspiring 2-2 draw against Newton Athletic in the last game of January, with Daniel Hugo scoring a goal in the dying embers to secure a point. On the other hand, St. Helens came into the match on the back of an unbeaten start to the season, and with high hopes of making it through to the next round.

Paddock began the game on the front foot, putting the away side under pressure straight away. Their efforts were rewarded as a corner from Claudio Costa found full-back Danny Hugo at the back post who put the ball in the back of the net in the 13th minute. The men in red amped up the pressure as the half wore on, resulting in an own goal by St. Helens Town in the 26th minute. In the 32nd minute, Claudio Costa was involved once more as a short corner resulted in a close attempt at goal. Paddock secured their 3rd goal of the game soon after, as Damani Hall went through on goal and slotted the ball into the back of the net. The goal by Damani made sure that the men in red went into the break holding a commanding lead over one of the strongest teams in the division.

At the start of the second half, Paddock coach Stephen Howson introduced 16-year old Dylan Wilson into the game, substituting Mike Taylor. Goalscorer Danny Hugo also made way in the 55th minute, as Alex Black came on for him. It seemed that St. Helens Town were growing into the game around the hour mark, as they hit the frame of the goal. However, those hopes came crashing down soon after, as Claudio Costa made it 4-0 in the 67th minute of the game.

Costa’s goal allowed coach Stephen Howson to rest some key players, as Costa, Hall and Zak Bell made way for Leland Irvine, Victor Iyumva and Alfie Derry in the 76th minute. Leland created an instant impact after coming on, creating a huge chance but St. Helens were let off the hook at the death.

Despite the 4-0 scoreline, it was centre back Michael Olatunji who bagged the Player of the Match award, with his commanding performance at the back nullifying the threat of St. Helens and giving the reds a strong foundation to express themselves freely on the pitch. Coach Howson and the men in red will be gearing up for the upcoming games after a scintillating display against the league leaders, knowing full well that the sky’s the limit for this team.

Paddock FC hit the road to face Newton Athletic, riding high on the momentum of their commanding 4-0 victory over Moore United last week. Determined to keep their winning streak alive, they delivered an intense performance filled with drama, stunning saves, and last-minute heroics. Yet, despite their relentless pursuit of victory, they were forced to settle for a hard-fought 2-2 draw.

With two changes to the starting lineup, bringing in Daniel Hugo and Cameron Watters in place of Omar Sinclair and Kayode Adewale, Paddock sought to impose themselves early with an aggressive setup. Watters, making his return to the club after being part of Paddock’s first-ever team, looked to make an immediate impact. But Newton’s disciplined backline proved to be a stubborn obstacle. The game kicked off with both sides locked in a midfield chess match, probing each other’s defenses for weaknesses. Paddock enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, launching wave after wave of attacks, but Newton held their ground with resolute defending.

The first real chance fell to Cameron Watters in the 7th minute when he rose to meet a long throw-in from Daniel Hugo. The crowd held its breath as the ball looped toward goal, only to land harmlessly wide. Ten minutes later, Michael Olatunji found himself at the end of a well-placed corner, but his header lacked the power to trouble the Newton keeper. Sensing frustration creeping into Paddock’s play, Newton seized their moment. Exploiting gaps in transition, they carved out dangerous opportunities between the 25th and 35th minutes, forcing Paddock’s backline into emergency defending. The breakthrough finally came in the 43rd minute—Olatunji’s attempt to clear a high cross went awry, landing at the feet of a Newton attacker, who made no mistake in slotting it home. Paddock trudged into halftime trailing, their fluid attacking play undone by a single lapse in concentration.

Determined to turn the tide, Paddock introduced Victor Iyumva for Dion Kemp at the break. The response was immediate. In the 50th minute, Joseph Coleman latched onto a cross with a perfectly timed volley, but his effort whistled just past the post. Two minutes later, Zak Bell picked out Damani Hall with a laser-precise through ball, but under intense pressure, the striker scuffed his shot into the side netting. Despite their dominance, Paddock found themselves in danger once again. Newton launched a counter in the 54th minute, forcing goalkeeper Florin Salceanu into a breathtaking double save that left the opposition stunned. But the reprieve was short-lived. In the 66th minute, a misplaced pass from Kemp gifted Newton’s Ben Woodman possession. The forward weaved through defenders before firing past Salceanu, doubling Newton’s lead and silencing the visitors.

Paddock needed a response—and fast. Just three minutes later, Olatunji atoned for his earlier mistake in emphatic fashion, rising above the Newton defense to thunder home a header from a Joseph Coleman cross. The tide had turned. Sensing the shift in momentum, Paddock introduced young forward Leland Irvine in the 70th minute to inject fresh energy into their attack.

Newton, now on the defensive, scrambled to keep their lead intact as Paddock pressed forward with relentless intensity.

Then, in the dying moments, came the moment of magic. In the 89th minute, Zak Bell delivered a pinpoint long ball over the top. Daniel Hugo ghosted in behind the Newton defense, took one touch to steady himself, and coolly slotted the ball into the net. Paddock had clawed their way back from the brink to snatch a dramatic equalizer. Though they showcased their resilience, Paddock’s inability to turn dominance into victory saw them slip to fourth place in the league standings with 28 points. The game served as a reminder of their attacking prowess but also highlighted the defensive lapses that need urgent attention. Paddock will take confidence from their fighting spirit and second-half resurgence, determined to iron out their weaknesses and push for maximum points in the upcoming fixtures