By Casey Evans

Stretford Paddock are hitting the road again for their next fixture against Urmston Town Juniors this Halloween and Stephen Howson’s men will be hoping to get a win against the current 10th placed side.

Paddock will be looking to end their three-game streak without picking up three points, where they have lost twice and drawn once, leaving them in 4th place and three points off the top spot.

In the last game, Paddock fell to defeat late on against Moston Brook after coming back from two goals down. Strikes from Nosa Iyamu and Reza Ul-Haque allowed got their team back into the game after two goals either side of half time for Moston had put them ahead. However, any chances of Paddock getting all three points were snuffed out when Moston met a cross unmarked on the back post and headed it home. The game ended 3-2 to the away side.

Urmston Town Juniors will be looking to pick up their second points haul of the season, as they are sat in 10th having only won only one game in four this season and losing the other three. There last game was against 11th placed side Signol Old Boys and their 3-1 win was their first positive result of the season, having also lost all their other games.

Manager Stephen Howson said: “I’m looking forward to the Urmston game, as I see it as an opportunity to get back to winning ways. 3 games without a win isn’t acceptable. Injuries haven’t helped, but they are no excuse. Every side I put out I believe in, and I know is capable of taking 3 points.

“Injuries are starting to fade, and players starting to come back into the squad. I’m delighted that I’ll be seeing club captain Martin Parker back with the squad this week. His experience has been sorely missed. I doubt it’s a coincidence that we last won, the last game he played. His leadership and organisational skills are in short supply in what is a very young squad, otherwise. We’ve lacked positional discipline and organisation lately, despite good individual performances, there’s been a glaring lack of team cohesion.

“There will be some changes to the XI this week as we try to find the sweet spot balancing defensive sturdiness and the free-flowing attacking, one touch football that we are so good at.”

The match will be played at Lostock Playing Fields in Stretford; fans are discouraged from attending the game due to COVID-19 restrictions.

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