Express & Star

Andy Paddock hoping to boost Wolverhampton Sporting’s title hopes

Boss Andy Paddock is hoping to sign some more players as West Midlands Premier title-chasers Wolverhampton Sporting face a fixture backlog.

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Sporting have only played one league game in 2018 due to progressing in cup competitions and a spate of postponements.

They have slipped to fourth in the table – nine points behind leaders Malvern Town, with six games in hand.

Their game against Bewdley Town at the weekend was called off due to a waterlogged pitch, and they still have half of their league fixtures to get through.

“We really wanted Saturday’s game to be on so we didn’t fall further behind,” said Paddock.

“We are playing in the FA Vase (fifth round, against Leighton Town) on Saturday as well so it’s nearly two weeks until our next league game.

“We’ll try to add more numbers to the squad in case of any injuries, which there probably will be with the fixture backlog.

“We need to just make sure we are fully prepared for it – and that we have enough bodies for it.”

Sporting are in action tonight, at home against Wednesfield in the JW Hunt Cup.

It will be a welcome return to action for Paddock’s charges ahead of the big FA Vase clash with Leighton. If Sporting win that Vase tie, they will receive £2,250.

“Some of the lads haven’t played for five weeks. They need to play some games,” said Paddock. “Had we played on Saturday, the team for this game tonight would have been a bit different.

“It hasn’t been ideal, but we will deal with it. It has been hard and awkward and we’re just hoping the weather eases off.”

He added: “I’m sure once we get a run of games, we’ll be OK.

“But it will be hard for us to win the league. We’ll keep going and if we win the league, that’s brilliant – winning the league is our main aim.”

The majority of Premier games at the weekend were called off.

Bilston Town played, though, beating Stone Old Alleynians 3-1. Cradley Town were in action too, losing 2-1 to Malvern.