MATCH REPORT: Sandbach Town 1-4 Stretford Paddock – Five Win Streak For Paddock!

Paddock won the reverse fixture only three weeks by five goals to one and as they looked to repeat the feat, Paddock got off to a fast start with two goals in the opening quarter of an hour.

With less than five minutes on the box a hopeful ball to Sam Pratt over the defence was collected by the Sandbach centre half and the paddock striker battled to win it back in the box.

Pratt was forced wide before laying the ball back Ronaldo Brown on the wing, Brown drove to the by-line past the defender and played a low ball into the centre of the box which evaded Claudio Costa until Joe Coleman smashed the ball into the back of the net.

Paddock doubled their lead ten minutes later following a succession of corners. Coleman third time lucky from the corner on the left whips a ball into the box and a thumping header by Pratt ensured Paddock’s flying start.

Paddock a few chances to extend the lead and put the game to bed. Firstly, with midfielder Zak Bell having a long-range effort blocked the ball fell into the path of Sam Walker who blazed it over the bar from just inside the area.

Joao de Andrade looked to be paddocks brightest spark for most of the match. Created another big chance for the away side and as he drove into the box from the right a feint cut back to Costa allowed the number ten to turn and shoot although the effort was tamely flicked high and wide.

The second half saw the tempo of the game drop drastically as both sides failed to create clear cut chances for the large part.

Paddock’s best chance to put the game out of reach came when substitute Ellis Pacer, who made his return from a long-term foot injury, controlled a floated cross on the edge of the area, a touch allowing him to take a shot the keeper instinctively tipped the ball round the post.

Paddocks struggle to gain momentum came to show as with less than ten minutes to go Coleman lost possession in his own half the ball was played through towards the Sandbach Town attacker he then rounded Florin Salceanu and slotted into the empty net.

A nervy ending loomed as Sandbach looked likely to snatch a draw, however as the game went into added time Paddock found a renewed energy. Joao received a long ball from defence and helped it on with his head, as he bared down on the keeper, he calmly took the ball wide and guided the ball into the net.

Minutes later Paddock rounded off the win as Damani Hall gained possession and from the left corner of the box a drilled shot saw the ball fly  low into the bottom corner and wrap up the three points which sees paddock move within touching distance of the top two.