UPTON JFC 4, STRETFORD PADDOCK 1
Stretford Paddocks six-game winning streak came to an end in Chester as table-toppers Upton JFC ran riot to claim a 4-1 victory in division two of the Cheshire Football League.
The home side found themselves 3-0 up at half time with poor defending from set-pieces and individual errors plaguing Paddock in the first 45 minutes.
Despite a bright start after the break, the game proved to be out of reach for the away team with a late Upton goal killing the match once and for all.
Paddock dominated possession for much of the first half, but another early goal was conceded, with the fifth minute strike meaning Paddock were always chasing the game. Upton worked the ball beautifully before finding the back of the net, showing the visitors why they are top.
Paddock’s response to going behind was one of a charged nature, but the opposition’s defensive solidarity was proving an immovable force.
Upton’s counter attacking prowess ultimately led to a second goal in just the 28th minute, with another defensive error giving the home side an open net to score into.
The familiar foe of defending set pieces led to the third goal, and the game seemed to already be out of reach at half time.
Having won 11 of their 14 league games this season, the leaders have proven that they know how to hold on to points.
With the second half comeback of last week fresh in the players’ minds, talisman Tom Jones planted a phenomenal header to ignite a potential turnaround five minutes into the second half.
Despite their best efforts, fatigue started to trickle into the team’s performance as the Upton backline simply would not prevail.
With Paddock launching bodies forward, Upton’s pace and willingness to counter led to a fourth goal in the 84th minute, sealing the fate of a disappointing day for the YouTube side.
Paddock are still themselves outside the promotion places, but games in hand on the teams above them show that there is still plenty to fight for despite the disappointing encounter with Upton JFC.
Stretford Paddock: Victor Gimenez, Michael Burke, James Oatt, Thomas MacFarlane, Paulo Ezequiel Incaque, Nosa Iyamu, Raphe Barber, Kayode Adewale, Tom Jones, Kieron Molloy, Joao de Andrade. Subs: Nasser Shakoor, Daniel McKenna, Ronald Brown, Abdullah Saeed, Callum Kilroe