Match Preview: Stretford Paddock v Sandbach Ramblers

Having played their last four matches on foreign soil, Paddock finally find themselves back on home territory. Having lost three in succession for the first time since January 2023 Paddock will be raring to get that green spot back on the form chart.

With our reds putting in an impressive performance against Upton JFC last run out, despite the loss, there will have been plenty of positives to take into this week's training session with Manchester United legend Brian Mclair. Impressive team goals continue to be scored and the squad needs to keep improving the "positivity reaps positivity" attitude the gaffer wants them to embed in their game. The team could find many reasons to kickstart this new approach with a confident victory over Sandbach this weekend. RK9 could be an important attacking focal point after his two goals in three games.

Having played each other earlier in the season both teams know that Sandbach has an uphill task, but with Paddock coming into this game with a poor run of The Ramblers may see this as an opportunity to put a nail in the coffin of the Paddock promotion challenge.

Sandbach enter this fixture on a terrible run of form though having taken points from just two games in their last nine outings. Having scored just four goals in all those matches combined they are struggling to find the goals against organised defensive units. Forty-two goals conceded against the top four this season indicates that their woes extend behind the final third, and the theme could continue against a Paddock who persist to score the goals against the best teams in Division 1 and 2.

Paddock will hopefully benefit from their mid-week training session where Omar and Tommy were seen continuing their return to fitness. Their experience at the back end of the season will lift the team, provide depth, add competition for places, and bring some more quality.

With a tough run of games coming up, Paddock will want to smash through their current glass ceiling to ignite their promotion charge once again.

UTP 🔴⚪⚫