Champions Radcliffe return home to celebrate a successful season after last weekend’s victory at Whitby Town, and will lift the NPL Premier Division trophy in front of a packed crowd at M26. Promotion is secured with two games to spare, however our attention now turns to the final game at the Neuven Stadium.

The Opposition

  Basford are still in the midst of a relegation battle with Stafford Rangers and Bradford Park Avenue, however Saturday’s visitors are best placed to remain in step 3 for the next campaign. Three points from the remaining six will likely see them safe, and there are also scenarios in which a point could secure the safety of Martin Carruthers’ side.

  In the last six, United have picked up nine points with victories over Matlock, Atherton and Worksop. Safety could’ve already been wrapped up, but they were unable to take victory over Bradford PA and most recently fell short against play-off hopefuls, Macclesfield.  

Failure to pick up any points this weekend would see the relegation battle run into the final game week of the season, when Basford host Bamber Bridge at Greenwich Avenue.   

Kieran Preston and Remaye Campbell have both featured in all 38 league matches for Basford this season whilst the other nine men have changed around them throughout the campaign. The visitors have used over 50 different players in all competitions so far, Jack Thomas being the only other to have appeared in over 30 matches. 

Stat Pack  

1st - League Position - 18th 
38 - Played - 38 
86 - Points - 33 
28 - Wins - 8
 2 - Draws - 9
 8 - Losses - 21
 100 - Goals For - 39
 54 - Goals Against - 64
 Jordan Hulme (23) - Top Scorer - Remaye Campbell (9)

Ones To Watch  

Ewan Bange is one of the ones to watch against Basford. The striker has been used off the bench more often than not but has had a good return with four goals and an assist to his name, one of those goals coming in the reverse fixture.

Matt Thornhill has been in excellent form as of late, before mid-March the midfielder had only scored once but has six goals in his last six including two braces in back-to-back victories over Atherton and Worksop. 

Last Time Out  

When the two sides met in mid-January, Radcliffe’s flurry of goals in the final ten minutes secured all three points for the travelling side.

  A slow first half saw chances limited for both outfits, but the hosts made the most of their opportunities and took a one-goal lead in the 33rd minute as Remaye Campbell curled into the top corner from the edge of the area. United could have had the game wrapped up in the 78th minute, but Campbell was unable to reach Jonathan Wafula’s low, drilled ball at the back post.  

Moments later, Radcliffe capitalised on the hosts’ missed chance as Nicky Adams’ corner wasn’t cleared fully and landed at the feet of Jude Oyibo, the winger struck the ball through a crowd of players to find the bottom corner and restore parity.

As the game entered stoppage time, the referee awarded Radcliffe with a 91st-minute penalty for a push on Oyibo. Up stepped Josh Hancock, who put the ball out of reach for the ‘keeper to give the Boro a late lead. Ewan Bange then completed the scoring, as he rolled the ball into the back of the net on the counter attack.  

Matchday Information 

Date: 20/04/24 
Time: 3pm kick-off
Location: Neuven Stadium 

Adult: £10 
Concession: £7 
U16: Free 

Due to the high demand for tickets to this fixture, continuing on from our last game, this will be an all-ticket event. To clarify, all supporters who don’t have a season ticket and wish to attend should purchase tickets online prior to Saturday, it is unlikely that ticket sales will be available on the day. 

Read more information about Saturday’s tickets here.

Buy your tickets online here.  

Can't Attend The Game? 

Listen to live kick-by-kick commentary over on Radcliffe Radio, click here to tune in from 2:55pm.  

Around The Grounds 

Bamber Bridge v Whitby Town
Bradford (Park Avenue) v Gainsborough Trinity
Guiseley AFC v FC United of Manchester
Hyde United v Matlock Town
Ilkeston Town v Morpeth Town
Macclesfield FC v Workington AFC
Marine AFC v Atherton Collieries
Stafford Rangers v Ashton United
Worksop Town v Warrington Rylands