MATCH PREVIEW v North Walkden Reserves (cup)

Stretford Paddock are on their travels this weekend to visit The Lowry Academy to play North Walkden Reserves.

For those with good memories, Paddock played North Walkden First Team back in July as part of the pre-season friendly fixture list. In a tight game where Paddock were playing opposition in the Lancashire&Cheshire Premier Division, we were able to limit their chances and prove that we have the quality to go toe-to-toe with quality opposition. Having lost 2-1 it was an excellent learning curve against a physical opposition with a well drilled and organised defense.

North Walkden Reserves have had a difficult start to their 23/24 campaign in the Lancashire&Cheshire Division 1. They have amassed just four points from their seven matches, having taken three points against a struggling R-Kix side. Sitting rooted at the bottom of the table, NW Reserves have still been able score twelve goals so far this season proving that they have the ability to find the back of the net. Their most influential player seems to be Jared Render who has clocked an impressive four goals and one assist in all seven appearances. However, the goals and assists do not come from across the entirety of the squad, so if Jared can be nullified then they may struggle to create opportunities.

Paddock go into the match back in winning ways having beaten a poor Hartford FC team 2-0 last weekend in an uncharacteristically slow tempo nature. To get here they comfortably beat Denton Town Res. 6-2 with Janiero slotting home his first hat trick for the club.

Although Paddock have had no problem firing the goals in this season we have only found the net twice in the last two matches, so this week really is an opportunity to get back to our free scoring ways.

With "Howson-ball" really starting to embed through the golden thread of the club, we are consistently seeing a dominant and attractive style of football. Spectators can likely expect the same again this weekend and to be odds on favourites to move into the next round.

Up The Paddock.