Padiham face toughest test yet as they play unbeaten opposition!

Steve Wilkes’s side responded to an opening day defeat away to Northwich Victoria by embarking on a four match unbeaten stretch.

That sequence included stalemates with Harrogate Railway Athletic and Lancaster City at the Arbories while a terrific victory over Ramsbottom United at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium was followed by a spectacular FA Cup preliminary round triumph over local rivals Clitheroe.

The Storks now travel to Moor Lane to take on Salford City who were dumped out of the FA Cup by Cammell Laird.

The Ammies management team of Barry Massay and Phil Powere have recently added defender Matthew Grimshaw and midfielder Javan Benjamto the ranks to bolster their depleted squad.

They are currently seventh in the Evo-Stik First Division North hierarchy after an unbeaten start to the campaign. They have, however, yet to take maximum points on home soil.

Wilkes has injury concerns over Lewis Jordan (ankle), Spencer Jordan (knee) and Dean Overson (hamstring) for tomorrow’s clash.

But the Arbories boss remains in high spirits after witnessing a determined and domineering second half performance against the Blues at the weekend.

“It’s always good to win your derbies for the bragging rights which we’ll take in to the league game against them in December,” said Wilkes. “It’ll also do our confidence a world of good going in to our next game.

“We’re four games unbeaten now so hopefully we can go to Salford and extend that. It’s early in the season so teams are still finding their feet but we’ve got to be better than we were in the first half.

“They showed great attitude in the second half. We’ve got a great team spirit in the dressing room and it showed with that performance in the second half.”

Padiham will then face their biggest test to date when league leaders Curzon Ashton are the visitors at the Arbories on Wednesday.

John Flanagan’s outfit, who culminated last term just short of the play-off spots, have won all four of their league fixtures and thrashed Ashton Athletic 4-0 in the FA Cup.

Wilkes is now wanting Storks fans to show the same level of support as they have on home games so far.

“There was another big crowd on against Clitheroe and hopefully they’ll come back to see us the next time we’re at home. We’ve had three home games now and they’ve all been very well supported.

“We’ve got the league leaders Curzon Ashton next up at the Arbories so we want people to come back and watch that as well. We’ve had great support so far.

Meanwhile, Padiham’s rescheduled fixture with Mossley will now go ahead on Tuesday, September 17th.

The Storks were scheduled to face Peter Band and Lloyd Morrison’s men midweek but the Lilywhites were forced in to an FA Cup replay by Worksop Parramore - a tie they eventually lost.