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.
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