Paddocks efforts saw them beat Hartford FC for the second time this season in a closely contested 3-2 victory. The away side came into the match just 3 points behind Paddock and with a point to prove after their previous defeat to the YouTube side this season.
The opening few minutes saw the Hartford attackers apply heavy pressure to the Paddock backline, and their intensity prevailed when they glanced home a header from an inswinging corner, just 7 minutes into the game.
Paddock’s struggle to cope with set pieces had been their undoing once again, however their response was electric, with Tom Jones knocking down a long ball to tee up a headed finish from Saeed.
Despite the timely response to going behind, Paddocks high line was being tested, and the boys in red couldn’t prevent a shot flying into the roof of the net just 2 minutes after they had levelled the scoring.
Stretford Paddock’s character showed once more, and having set up the first Tom Jones took his turn to make the net bulge, with Nosa’s tricky feet and expert delivery setting up a close range header.
At half time the sides went in level, and with the three points poised to be snatched it was anyone’s game going into the second period.
HT: Stretford Paddock 2-2 Hartford
Paddock rose to the challenge with immediate effect, with Saeed hitting the bar from close range within a minute of the restart.
It didn’t take long for Paddocks persistence to reap the rewards. After a throw in to the box caused defensive chaos in the Hartford backline, John Ogo kept a cool head to slot the ball into the bottom corner.
The rest of the match saw little action at either end of the field, with the home side showing a stubbornness in defence that ultimately saw them collect all three points.
It’s a big victory for Paddock who continue their fight to gain a promotion spot.
FT: Stretford Paddock 3-2 Hartford
Stretford Paddock: Victor Gimenez, Michael Burke, James Oatt (C), Thomas MacFarlane, Callum Kilroe, Nosa Iyamu, Omar Sinclair, Nasser Shakoor, Tom Jones, Joao De Andrade, Abdullah Saeed
Subs: Raphe Barber, Daniel McKenna, John Ogo
By Billy Powis
