Match Preview: Clay Brow v Stretford Paddock FC

Fresh from their mid-week victory at the Hyde United FC stadium against West Didsbury & Chorlton Reserves, Paddock put flight mode back on for the fourth time in a row to visit league leaders Clay Brow at the JMO Sports Park.

In recent weeks Paddock have struggled to deliver performances akin to their early season style, but they constantly show that they are made of champion-type spirit by battling to take all three points regardless. However, there is something romantic about the club badge, a mid-week fixture, and a biblical downpour in the floodlights to get the team flowing as smoothly as a Guiness out of a Dublin faucet. An unplayable Ronaldo, Kieron in the #7, Oattsy and Michael battling against an impressive and strong #9, and some liquid football that was like watching poetry in motion at times. A much-needed performance against a stubborn West Dids side just in time for this weekend’s blockbuster that Pilkington, Winsford, and all other eyes in the league will be focussed on.

Like our opponents, Paddock enter this match on blistering form on a four match win streak where they have scored ten and conceded four. It is fair to say that everyone expected more goals in the last couple of fixtures, but it is often these periods of a season where a team is tested far beyond goals scored, and our men in red and white have come out the other side stronger for it. If that balance between style, tenacity, and confidence can be found then it is certainly possible for Paddock to bring the points home tomorrow.

Despite not knowing much about our Clay Brow opponents it is obvious that they will offer Paddock what will probably be their most difficult footballing test of the season so far on Saturday. With three players in the top ten of the goals chart it would be fair to say Brow will be an organised team with a footballing identity that evades social media platforms for analysis. They themselves are on a hot streak of seven wins on the bounce but (and it’s a bit picky) they have not played any in form side of Paddock, Winsford, or Pilkington yet this season. When they did play an in-form team they lost to Lymm Rover 3-0, which casts an even bigger air of mystery and anticipation over this fixture.

With Paddock currently sitting in third it is clear that a win could be seen as essential to maintain pressure on those in the promotion spots. With a professional, disciplined, and fearless approach to this fixture anything is possible when Paddock light the touch paper. One thing is for sure; Paddock and Clay Brow could turn this fixture into a footballing spectacle and a match of the season contender.

#UpThePaddock