SHAUN Reid hopes Warrington Town’s FA Cup win over Barton Old Boys on Saturday can kick-start their season.

Scott Metcalfe bagged a hat-trick and Chris Gahgan added a fourth in a 4-1 win to book a First Qualifying Round home tie with Trafford.

However, Town have won only once in their opening three Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division North outings and Reid expects to see an improvement when they host Padiham on Saturday.

“Hopefully we can get back to winning ways after the cup game,” he said.

“We’ve got to be at full tilt. I thought we would have hit the ground running after our pre-season form but it goes to show pre-season counts for nothing.

“We have had a few injuries and a tough start to the season, three of the top six teams, but got a win under our belts on Saturday.

“There’s a long way to go and we’re not going to get carried away either way, it’s about where we end up in April.”

The Yellows then visit Darren Peacock and Trevor Sinclair’s Lancaster City on Tuesday, where Reid expects a stern test.

“It will be difficult,” he added. “They’re well organised, big and strong. It’s a good game to play in but we need to start picking up points to keep in touch with the top sides.”

Metcalfe’s FA Cup hat-trick on Saturday came after Town had fallen a goal behind to Scott Phillips’ penalty 17 minutes in.

The midfielder replied from the spot with five minutes of the half remaining after Anthony Hickey was fouled, before lobbing the keeper moments later for his second.

The game’s third penalty after Ben Wharton was brought down allowed Metcalfe to complete his hat-trick, while Gahgan made sure of the result with 10 minutes remaining.

“Scott has been threatening to do that for all of last season, if he can add goals to his game then he will be a great player,” added Reid, who is looking forward to facing higher-ranked Trafford in the next round.

“It’s not an easy game but it will be good to pit ourselves against a team in the league above. I’m confident if we go there with a fully fit squad.”

And the Town boss would love to see his side enjoy a run in England’s most prestigious competition.

“It would be massive,” he said. “We need that to get interest in football in the town and we’re all looking forward to it.

“The FA Cup is the best competition in the world for me and hopefully we can continue in it.”