Report

A late Omar freekick secures all three points for Stretford Paddock in a close fought game against St Helens Town in Openshaw.

After a disappointing defeat in their last match to Pilkington U23s. Paddock were looking to bounce back but a last-minute cancellation of their last game saw the side gain an extra week’s preparation as they enter an important string of home games.

Stretford Paddock lined up with an unchanged eleven from the side that featured in the defeat to Pilkington U23s with Katumba, Brown and De Andrade leading the line for the hosts.

The opening 3 minutes of the game were tight, but the first chance would fall to the visitors as a corner is fizzed to the edge of the box, but the shot was blocked and is caught by mason in goal.

Paddock first break would come in the 13^th minute as Ronaldo played through Katumba, but the strikers cross into the box could only find the St Helens defender.

Paddock would continue to get chances as a header is sent over the bar after a Mikey freekick.

The remainder of the half would be even with both teams lacking that final pass, but the last shot would fall to Katumba who’s effort is blocked by the defender.

Half Time: Stretford Paddock 0-0 St Helens Town

Janeiro replaced Coleman just as the second half began in a midfield shake up as the hosts tried to show a bit more fight this half.

The opening exchange of the second half was tight but neither side really creating anything.

As we just passed the hour mark minute Kayode and Dom came on replacing Nosa and Zac as the gaffer was desperately trying to push for a winner

The first chance would also come after the hour mark with St Helens breaking down the flank, but a chipped effort could only go over the bar.

Katumba would have Paddock first chance of the half after an interception by Oates after some great pressing eventually finds its way to the striker, but his effort is brilliantly saved by the keeper.

Paddock continues to create big chances just before we enter the final 20 as Joao low driven shot is saved by the keeper as well.

The trend would continue as Katumba shot is again saved by the keeper as we enter the final 15 minutes.

The Deadlock is finally broken just before we enter the final 10 minutes as Omar dinks home a beauty of a freekick to give paddock the lead late on.

St Helens looked to instantly respond as a low cross is cleaned up by the defence resulting in a corner but that could only be sent out of play by the visitors.

As we entered the final five Joao was replaced by Mbala as Paddock tried to search for a second to kill the game off and secure the points.

St Helens would begin to start pressuring the Paddock defence with a flurry of crosses into the box, but no one could get on the end of them.

The chances would continue to fall to the visitors as a a shot from outside the box goes just wider after a bit of chaos in the box

In the 90^th Ronny was replaced by Daryl to close the game out after an excellent outing for the winger.

Full Time Stretford Paddock 1-0 St Helens Town

This result pushes Paddock back up to 4^th level on games with Pilkington U23s but remaining 4 points behind in their promotion push whilst still having a game in hand on 2^nd place Winsford to try and slash their seven-point advantage.

WRITTEN BY JAMES RICHARDSON

Paddock coming off the back of a 3-1 away win at promotion chasing Winsford Town as they looked to kick on after a disappointing cup defeat at the end of February.

Paddock played a mostly unchanged side with Michael Olatunji replacing Eddie at CB.

The opening minutes of the game were all Pilkington applying early pressure with a shot straight at the keeper in the opening 2 minutes.

Paddock began to finally start playing after ten minutes with Ryan Katumba weak shot rolled straight through to their keeper.

But the early pressure would pay off with Pilkington U23s number 12 flicking the ball over the defender and smashing it into the bottom corner giving Taylor in goal no chance and giving the hosts a deserved lead.

But Paddock resurgence would only last a little bit with a wayward cross smacking the bar and 2 more shots just before the end of the half going just wide.

Half Time: Pilkington U23s 1-0 Stretford Paddock

Paddock would come out for the second half the same way Pilkington came out for the first with some nice early pressure sadly not turning into a needed equaliser.

But the wait for the equaliser would only last 2 minutes as Ryan Katumba would head in Mikey Burke free kick to level the tie 3 minutes after the restart.

Paddock would continue to build after the equaliser as Ronaldo excellent wing play would allow him to cut it back to Joao who can only send the shot over the bar.

Pilkington U23s would have to wait until after the hour mark for any chance on the Streford goal with a powerful free kick stinging the hands of Taylor as he ended up spilling the ball into the path of the Pilkington striker and allowing the hosts to regain their lead.

Only a few minutes later Paddock would begin to push for an equaliser as Joao shot would be saved by the Pilkington keeper after intricate play by Paddock on the edge of the box.

It would take almost 20 minutes for Paddock to have another crack at the goal after nice passing sees the resulting shot fly over the bar from the edge of the box.

Paddock continues to apply pressure and that was amplified as Mbala came on for Burke to add an extra attacking threat as we entered the closing stages.

The extra threat would show to be effective as Ronaldo brown would drag a shot just wide after successfully regaining the ball from Pilkington just outside their box.

The result could’ve been worse for Paddock in the final few seconds as a flick on saw Pilkington go through on goal, but the resulting shot would end up closer to the corner flag than the Paddock goal.

Full Time: Pilkington U23s 2-1 Stretford Paddock

WRITTEN BY JAMES RICHARDSON

Stretford Paddock defeated Maine Road Reserves by two goals to nil in a return to the Butchers Arms Ground, after last weekend’s 6-2 victory against Hoole Rangers saw the tie relocated due to pitch availability.

This was Paddock first game at the butchers arms since a 2-0 win over Hartford on the 28^th October, and a first league game since victory away at table toppers Clay Brow on the 18^th November. Due to adverse weather conditions causing postponements to all 4 scheduled league games in December.

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The homecoming wasn’t all plain sailing, as the first quarter of an hour saw both sides struggle to maintain the ball and dictate the tempo.

The first chance of the game fell to Joao De Andrade after Jainiero Salmon-Harris played the ball inside the full back allowing the Paddock winger a chance one on one with the keeper before slicing his shot on a tight angle.

Maine Road had their best opportunity of the game on the half hour mark as a low corner dropped on the penalty shot, where the snapshot was side footed high and wide.

With just over five minutes before the break, Martin Flanagan had to be withdrawn, on a stretcher after a lengthy delay, due to a severe injury causing damage to his face following a collision when attempting to claim a cross.

The incident saw captain James Oatt put on the gloves as Eddie Fullwood moved to central defence with Richie Adjei coming on in full back.

Deep into added time of the first half, Paddock shifted the ball across the pitch to Ronaldo Brown on the right and a whipped cross fired at the ribs of Okera Simmonds saw the striker’s acrobatic flick at the front post saved low by the keeper.

Half-time: Stretford Paddock 0-0 Maine Road Reserves

The hour mark brought a change to paddock with Dom Molloy replacing Brown which saw paddock begin to gain control in midfield.

Nosa Iyamu attempting to get on the end of a pass through the middle saw him dragged down on the edge setting up a free-kick in a dangerous position for Paddock. Simmonds curled his shot delicately over the wall forcing the keeper into a good save.

Paddock’s control in the game started to tell as Burke played a ball down the left into the box for Simmonds, who was bundled over earning paddock a penalty with 15 minutes to go.

Approaching the final stages of the game Maine road were unable to create an opportunity to test makeshift keeper Oatt in goal.

Paddock sealed victory when Salmon-Harris won the ball high up the pitch to lay off Molloy who skipped through the defence and smashed the ball home from close range to double paddocks lead.

The victory sees Paddock climb to second ahead of a crunch match at home to Windsford FC next weekend.

Stretford Paddock advanced to the third round of the Northern Cup (following a bye in round one) after six second half goals overturned a 2-0 halftime deficit against Hoole Rangers.

Due to postponement of all scheduled matches in December largely down to adverse weather conditions, Paddock played for the first time since the end of November. A combination of missed chances and mistakes in the first half open up the lead. However, the lack of game time looked to be a factor as players tried to shake off the festive feelings.

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The opening half an hour saw both sides miss good chance to take the lead. Paddock created the first opportunity of the game with Kieran Molloy crossing from the right, Hoole goalkeeper parried the cross towards the penalty shot with Nosa Iyamu picking up the loose ball his shot, blocked by the keeper fell to Zak Bell on the edge of the area, and a mistimed volley sailed wide.

Hoole Rangers this time down their right-hand side saw the ball floated the six-yard box before being met with a tame side footed touch into the arms of Martin Flanagan.

Left Winger Ronaldo Brown missed two successive chances in a five-minute period, both of which again created from the right. The first a cut back found Brown in space central of the area and his shot could only be directed at the keeper.

The second and the biggest chance of the game so far saw Brown found unmarked at the back past, with the goal at his mercy, however, could only glance his shot wide.

With half an hour gone Mikey Burke was found in the outside the area with a clever forward pass by Jaineiro Salmon-Harris, before sliding the ball through to Zak Bell and with just the keeper to beat Bell hesitated allowing the keeper to close down and midfielder and saving a poor effort.

Into added time of the first half Hoole were awarded a contentious freekick midway in the Paddock half. A high delivery into the area, attracted martin out of his goal and a miscued punch lopped backwards towards goal, to be tapped in and double the Hoole advantage.

Halftime: Stretford Paddock 0-2 Hoole Rangers

The beginning of the second half saw paddock gain a grip of the midfield areas and starting to control to play. Despite this, Hoole had a sight of goal with a drilled shot across goal which was comfortably saved low by Flanagan.

This moment inevitably proved to be Hoole’s last threat as the tide turned and the floodgates opened. Moments later from a Hoole corner Paddock opened their tally through a swift counterattack.

The ball fell to Salmon-Harris on the edge of the area, before a weighted pass into the path of Brown allowed the winger to set up the counterattack running the ball with pace down the left prior to slipping the ball inside to half time substitute Dom Molloy to delicately side foot the ball past the on-rushing keeper in the bottom.

Ten minutes later Paddock equalised, Brown again pick up the ball on the left passing it to Molloy [Kieran] on the edge of the area, holding the ball up allowed the runners and a blindside pass slipped the ball through to Joao De Andrade for an easy finish.

Seconds later Molloy [Dom] picked up the ball in the middle of the park and guided a pass through the middle of the defence where Brown rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into an open goal to turn the game around and ultimately take the lead.

A few minutes later the game looked to be settled as Molloy [Kieran] was found on the right-hand side, then drove with the ball into the corner of the box, and effortlessly cut the ball inside on his left allowing him space to smash the ball into the bottom corner.

Into the last moments of the game a well goal put the cherry on the cake, as Callum Walsh De Andrade linked up on the left until the latter played a pass inside to Salmon-Harris with the number nines touch laying off Coleman again on the edge of the area as the midfielder grabbed a brace by smashing it low into the far corner with a right footed strike.

Stretford Paddock boost promotion hopes following a hard-fought victory at top of the table Clay Brow FC.

Manager Stephen Howson stated that he was “really proud of them [the players]” as a gutsy performance saw Paddock win 2-1 which “will give the lads confidence”.

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The early exchanges saw an end-to-end game develop with both sides creating half chances. Paddock had an early opportunity in the opening minutes with Kieron Molloy collecting the ball on the right before taking on his fullback and sliding a low cross in front of goal towards Ryan Katumba which was comfortably collected by the keeper.

Clay Brows best effort came with just over a quarter of an hour on the clock A free kick on the left of the field saw an outswinging delivery found its way through to the back post and a looping effort to help the ball back into the mix was calmly collected by Martin Flanagan.

Down the other end of pitch Paddock were presented with a gift to open the scoring. A defensive throw-in from clay brow in the corner, taken directly to the keeper Katumba was on hand to pinch the ball off the keeper and gratefully tap into an empty goal.

Paddock had a half chance to double their lead when goal scorer Katumba collected the ball backing into the defender, before rolling his marker and running onto the ball, however he dragged the shot from outside the area wide of the far post.

The pressure from Clay Brow started to grow, as the hosts created a number of opportunities, although the hosts failed to test Flanagan in the Paddock goal. Eventually Paddock found themselves with hearts in mouth, as with less than ten minutes of the first half Clay Brow had a penalty shout waved away, when Flanagan slid to clear away a drilled cross for a corner.

The resulting corner whipped away from goal saw a free header in the box from a Clay Brow centre half instinctively palmed over the bar by Flanagan for second consecutive set piece. This time the ball was met by a Paddock head but was cleared as far as the Clay Brow Number 6 who teased a cross towards the far post. As Flanagan looked to claim the cross the knockdown left the saw the Paddock keeper caught in no man’s land and the audacious effort from Clay Brow’s attacker waste the opportunity to level the game.

Clay Brow’s pressure ultimately led to an equaliser on the stroke of half time. Following a goal kick which was helped forward an effortless through ball caught out the Paddock defence on the back foot, with just the keeper to beat the Clay Brow striker gently slid the ball past the out rushing Flanagan.

Half-time: Clay Brow 1-1 Stretford Paddock

Within minutes of the restart Paddock restored their lead when midfielder and man of the match Joe Coleman scored his first goal for the club. Kieron Molloy picking the ball up on the right cut in field to prior to unleashing a shot which got blocked as far as Nosa Iyamu. His teasing cross found his midfield compatriot in the box to delicately side foot beyond the keepers reach to the far post.

The hosts found the ball in the back of the net when a pass into the box was smashed in the net, but the goal was immediately disallowed for an offside following the through ball.

With less than half an hour to go Clay Brow moved the ball around the box shifting the Paddock defence as they looked to create an opportunity. Eventually the gap opened up for a shot from range which rattled against the bar and the rebound was headed over.

The final twenty minutes of the game saw Paddock resolute in defence as they held on to stop Clay Brow creating clear cut chances to hold on for a massive three points in a thrilling encounter.

Stretford paddock came from behind to defeat Maine Road reserves 3-2 with a last gasp winner.

In the ninth minute of added time and with the game looking to be heading to a draw. Nosa Iyamu showed great strength to hold up the ball before playing through Okera Simmons.

With just the keeper to beat the striker passed the selflessly passed the ball across goal to Gabriel Fernando who tapped in from close range into an empty net to spark jubilant scenes amongst players and staff alike.

The victory only glossed over what was a fairly disappointing performance with manager Stephen Howson, stating the performance was “not good enough and not acceptable.”

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Paddock almost fell behind in the opening moments as they struggled to contain the Maine Road striker. A long punt from the keeper sent the striker in on goal who then cut the ball back for the number 11 who scuffed his shot straight at keeper Martin Flanagan.

Paddock had a better chance when Gavin Salmon’s snapshot was saved by the foot of the keeper following Callum Walsh’s run across goal.

Shortly before the midway point of the first half Paddock opened the scoring when Ronaldo Brown took the ball down the wing, his accurate cross found Salmon on the edge of the area and with a gently controlled to settle the ball for Iyamu latched onto the ball to effortlessly curl his shot past the keeper as it clipped the inside of the post before hitting the back of the net.

Controversy followed when a long through ball to the Maine Road striker, who appeared to be in an offside position, swiftly gained possession leaving himself with just Flanagan to beat. Before sitting him down and calmly rolling the shot into the vacant goal.

Barely five minutes later Paddock found themselves again when the Maine Road striker, again looked to be offside received a delicately played through ball. His shot this time struck the foot of the post and rebounded out to the ever so grateful right back who made no mistake by smashing the ball into the back of the net.

Half time: Maine Road reserves 2-1 Stretford Paddock FC

Early in the second half Iyamu picked up the ball on the corner of the area prior to driving towards goal before he was clattered into, earning himself a penalty. The midfielder dusted himself off and coolly placed the ball into the bottom left corner, despite the best effort of the keeper who dived the right way.

Maine road earned a penalty when Ritchie Adjei cynically chopped down the Maine road attacker in the box as he was set unleash. The penalty stuck with good power was brilliantly saved by Flanagan in the bottom right corner.

Paddock had a spurn of belief following Flanagan’s heroics and created chance after chance however failed to capitalise and ss the game headed into added time Callum Blanchard tripped the Maine Road winger on the edge of the box as he cut inside shaping up to shoot. The resulting freekick was well hit and Flanagan again expertly saved to keep the game level.

Paddock again believed the game was there to be win and threw everything at it in an attempt to win the game. However, got denied by an instinctive save from Simmons close range effort and Walsh who shot wide of the target stretching for the ball. What followed then was arguably Paddock’s luckiest and most inspiring moment of the season which could prove to be vital in their push for promotion.

In a game of two halves Stretford Paddock defeated old enemies North Walkden Reserves, to advance to the quarter finals of the Manchester FA Saturday Amateur Cup.

Before Paddock graced the Cheshire premier League 2, they faced North Walkden when both sides competed in the Lancashire and Cheshire league. However, this time with a lot more at stake.

Paddock desperately looking to put together a good performance following previous weeks poor showings, will be disappointed with the start they gave.

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Offering chances to Walkden early on they can consider themselves lucky not to fall behind. With only minutes on the clock North Walkden winger dragged the ball inside on the corner of the box before sliding the ball at the back post where the opportunity to tap in was missed after the ball fizzed by the attacker running in at the far post.

Before the 20-minute mark Walkden again had the chance to take the lead, when a flicked ball over the defence left a one-on-one with Martin Flanagan, although the effort was tamely volleyed straight at the keeper.

Walkden’s best chance of the match came moments later when James Oatt lost the ball in defence and with the striker bearing down on goal, the shot evaded the far post to spare the blushes of the Paddock centre half.

Paddock started to grow into the game and created a few chances before the break with, and almost took the lead on the stroke of the halftime. Zak Bell collected the ball just inside the Walkden half, before playing a punt over the Walkden defence. With the keeper missing the opportunity to claim at the far post Gavin Salmon’s control evaded the striker to find the side netting.

Half-time: North Walkden Reserves 0-0 Stretford Paddock FC

A few half chances saw Paddock take a slight control of the game although with the match looking destined for penalties, it was the fortune of two substitutes that turned the game.

With only 15 minutes left on the clock Kayode Adewale, who was dropped to the bench for arriving late, nicked the ball from the Walkden Central defender before being brought down just inside the area to earn paddock a spot kick.

Halftime substitute Nosa Iyamu, who also got dropped to the bench, stepped up. Following last week’s successful penalty on his birthday. The midfield man picked the same spot to send the keeper the wrong way.

Moments later Paddock should have been two up when Kayode took the ball down the left before drilling a cross low in front of goal, and with the empty net staring Joao De Andrade in the face, he blazed his shot over the bar from two yards out.

With only a few minutes left on the clock Joao redeemed himself to make sure of the result. Following Nosa’s threaded pass to find the winger on the left Joao ran along the by line before smashing the ball at the keeper who could only parry the shot into his own net.

A panicking start from Paddock saw the Mersey Valley striker with an early chance bearing down on goal before a spectacular stop from Martin Flanagan in net keep the game level in the opening moments.

With Paddock slowly building themselves into the game, a speculative effort from Mikey Burke narrowly went wide of the post seconds before Mersey Valley went close again themselves. A quiet beginning to the first half from both sides with neither finding their feet.

However, a delicate through ball over the top from the opposition saw their striker played through who placed the ball past Flanagan into the back of the Paddock net to give them the lead by a goal to nil. From the goal, Mersey Valley began to find some rhythm with several chances in a short period of time, all smothered well by Paddock’s no. 1.

With just over half of an hour played Paddock find themselves two down after an in swinging free kick bypassed the entire Stretford Paddock defence to find the Valley player who powerfully headed home past a helpless Flanagan, to the serious disappointment of Paddock after an even opening period. After two in quick succession for Mersey Valley, the first half came to a sombre end leaving Paddock with a mountain to climb if they wanted to get anything out of this game.

Half Time: Stretford Paddock 0-2 Mersey Valley

The second half began with neither side taking a foothold on the game, similarly to that of the first half, despite the score line suggesting a more one-sided affair.

Paddock began to find their feet and ease their way back into the game with more clear cut chances despite seriously testing the Mersey Valley goalkeeper, who had a very quiet game up until that point before a ferocious Kieron Molloy strike crashed off the bar.

That would be the last piece of action of the afternoon for Molloy who found himself in trouble after a dangerous challenge saw him see red, leaving Paddock with ten men going into the final 30 minutes still trailing by two.

An uneventful period followed once again with neither side creating anything noteworthy, with the red card really taking the sting out of the match. A Paddock push was not enough to get themselves back in contention with the game petering out.

Defeat for Paddock against a resolute Mersey Valley side after such a positive run of results is a tough one to take, but the boys will take it into their stride and aim to bounce back next time out.

Stretford Paddock faced off against Denton Town Reserves in the first round of the Manchester FA Saturday Amateur Cup and came out victorious in an eight-goal thriller seeing them head through to the next round.

A frantic start from Paddock saw Denton with an early chance at goal from long-range claimed, somewhat uncomfortably from Paddock’s no. 1 Martin Flanagan much to the dismay of the Denton players and staff who believed it had crossed the line.

Just inside the first ten minutes Kieron Molloy was given an excellent chance as Nosa Iyamu found him with a delicate through ball that he took in his stride and calmly slotted home for Paddock to take the lead. Iyamu incredibly claiming at least one assist in each of his last eight games.

After twenty-five minutes had been played, Paddock remained on top, and a Denton mistake gave them an opportunity to cement their lead. Joseph Coleman picked up on the loose ball and played through Jainiero Salmon-Harris who placed the ball effortlessly beyond the helpless Denton keeper to put Paddock two goals to the good.

A defensive error quickly after Paddock’s second saw Edward Fulwood bring down the Denton forward with the referee awarding a penalty. Flanagan came close but the power of the penalty saw it slip through his hands to bring Paddock’s lead to one again.

Paddock’s hectic first half action continued as a smooth piece of play between Nosa, Joao De Andrade and Jaineiro saw the latter slot home into an empty net for his second of the game extending Paddock’s lead once again. Only moments later a Mikey Burke ball over the top found the lightning quick Joao who was cynically brought down by the Denton defender, with the referee awarding the second penalty of the game. The finishing result the same as the last with Joao De Andrade smashing home despite the Denton goalkeeper getting a touch putting Paddock up by four goals to one and comfortably in the driving seat.

Half Time: Denton Town Reserves 1-4 Stretford Paddock FC

A quieter start to the second half saw both sides with minimal attempts to try and break the deadlock. With Paddock still comfortably in the lead this was not an opening they were disappointed with as they remained calm and professional to swat out any potential threats from Denton.

With just over 70 minutes played neither side were able to find the back of the net in the second half with the game slowly petering out with no real pressure from either side. Until a Denton corner found their midfielder who rose highest and headed home past Flanagan who was rooted to the spot. Denton found themselves within two of Paddock completely against the run of play and to the serial disappointment of the Paddock players and staff who felt, despite Paddock’s underwhelming display, it was an undeserved goal.

Paddock restored their three-goal lead when Fulwood found substitute Vic Iyumva bearing down on goal as he tapped past the rushing keeper for Joao De Andrade to grab his second, Paddock’s fifth, from a yard out to close out any fear of a possible Paddock capitulation.

Moments from the end of the game another Denton defensive error was capitalised on by De Andrade who was scythed down inside the penalty area. Unselfishly, the penalty was given to Jaineiro who placed into the bottom corner to claim his hat trick and a fifth goal in the last two games despite never scoring beforehand.

A confident attacking performance, which was never really in any doubt, from Paddock sees them progress into the next round of the cup hoping to build confidence to earn themselves some much wanted silverware at the end of the season.