After Paddock’s 6 game win streak came to an end last Saturday, an opportunity to get back to winning ways arises this weekend against Hartford. Having beaten Hartford already this season, Stretford Paddock will walk into Saturday’s fixture with confidence. If Howson’s men want to have a title challenge this season, a victory this weekend seems like a must.

 

Opposition Watch

 

In the reverse fixture, back in August, Stretford Paddock sealed a 3-1 against Hartford with a memorable solo effort from Kayode Adewale – deep into injury time. That important victory would go on to be the second victory on Paddock’s impressive 6 game League win streak.

Since then, Hartford have had quite a mixed time in the League. They currently sit in 11th place with 16 points, only 3 points behind Paddock. 2 good wins away at Mersey Valley and Pilkington followed there defeat to Paddock, but in their latest 2 league games, they walked away with only a point and 7 goals conceded.

The danger man for tomorrow’s visitors is, no doubt, Sam Dickenson. The Hartford forward has scored 13 goals in only 9 games this season in the Cheshire League. Should he be playing tomorrow, there’s no doubt the boys at the back will be busy.

 

Game Guide

 

Hartford are one of the only other teams in the league to have a handful of games in hand. Just like Paddock, they have only played 10 games so this season. A win tomorrow would but them ahead of Stretford Paddock on goal difference.

A win for Paddock, however, would make things interesting at the top of the league. Paddock, with an extra 3 points to their name, could go as high as 5th place – and thats with between 2 and 5 games in hand on their upper table opponents. Paddock will be desperate to win and keep a promotion challenge alive.

 

Team News

 

Stretford Paddock will be without there manager, Stephen Howson, until after the World Cup. Ste will be in Qatar for the duration of the tournament helping coverage for the YouTube channel, FIVE. Paddock forward, Ronaldo Brown, will be out there also and therefore not available, but for only 2 weeks.

Stepping in for Howson will be Paddock’s Director of Football, Bill Prendergast. Bill is a man with decades of experience in and around football including over 40 years of coaching. It’s safe to say that Paddock will be in safe hands.

After returning from his suspension last week against Upton, Joao De Andrade will be hoping to be back in the starting lineup again this weekend. With Ronaldo Brown out of the squad, an opportunity for De Andrade arises to cement himself back in the starting 11.

 

By Andre La Barbera

Website Editor

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