Radcliffe Stay Top

Report By Rory Baird

Radcliffe continue their winning start to the season after a 3-0 win at the Neuven Stadium against Colwyn Bay.

The Boro made it 4 wins in 4 in the league as they swept aside Colwyn Bay to remain top of the league.

It was Radcliffe who made the better start as 2 minutes in Scott Metcalfe’s corner was swung towards the far post before being put back across by George West and Tunde Olowabi got up to glance a header in at the back post.

The Home side continued their strong start on 8 minutes as Tunde Olowabi turned his man but his shot is turned away by the defender after the keeper was beaten.

Colwyn Bay started to fight back in the 10th minute as they started to attack. Barrigan found himself one on one with Ollie Martin but the keeper makes a comfortable save.

The Boro were unlucky not to double their lead 11 minutes in when Williams cross is converted by Tunde Owolabi as he heads in for the second time but it’s ruled offside by the linesman.

The Bay went forward again in the 12th minute as Danny Andrews managed to get down the right for the visitors to have his cross met by Danny Bartle who only managed to glance his header just wide of the post.

Radcliffe were almost made to pay for a mistake 16 minutes into the game as Ollie Martin came out to clear, only for the ball to fall to Danny Andrews who tries to lob him from 30 yards out but Ollie Martin gets back to tip it over the bar.

Boro continued to try and increase their advantage in the 33rd minute as Williams founds himself one on one with the Paddy Wharton but dragged his shot wide of the post.

It was Radcliffe who started the second half the brighter of the two teams as in the 47th minute Elliott Rokka tried his luck with an ambitious volley from a Scott Metcalfe throw in but it went wide of the post.

The Boro did increase their lead just on minute later when Rick Smith headed the ball against the post after Scott Metcalfe headed the ball back into the box but the ball bounced back to Rick Smith who hit the rebound into the roof of the net from close range.

Colwyn Bay tried to reduce the gap in the 57th minute when they won a free kick. The free kick was headed towards the far bottom corner by James Barrigan but Ollie Martin produces a great diving save to maintain Boros two goal lead.

The Bay went forward again in the 64th minute to try and pull a goal back but the shot from Blake Robinson almost finds the bottom corner but Martin gets low to make the save and smothers the loose ball.

The Boro made Colwyn Bay regret missed chances in the 71st minute as Tunde Owolabi’s tricky feet won him a penalty as he was brought down in the area. Ben Wharton stepped up to take it and calmly finished the resulting penalty as he sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Radcliffe continued their fine start to the season as they beat Colwyn Bay 3-0 at the Neuven Stadium to remain top of the league.

Next Up Its The FA Cup at home so Stalybridge on Saturday 8th September 3pm Kick Off

Jon Macken Spoke to RadcliffeTV After the game:

"Once again it was a tough side, I think they had one or two injuries but at the end of the day you have to beat the team that is put in front of you I thought they gave us a good game today."

On the Half Time Substitutes making a difference- "Its a squad game we need everybody who's involved in the squad to be ready when they are called upon to go and put in a performance and that's what they did today. Kingsley came on and influenced the game and Callum was a calm influence at the back. You've got to be ready when called upon in any game. That's how I want my team, the squad always if they know if they are called upon or asked to play you might not play for 2-3 weeks but you have to be ready for the next game as that's the most important one."
On Colwyn Bay- "I think we reacted to the situation they had a little bit of a spell in the game, they was forcing us back and having a bit of possession in good areas which is good credit to them but I thought we handled it really well. Ollie didn't have massive amounts to do today but when he was called upon he made some tremendous saves and the distribution was good as well."

On the great feeling around the club at the moment- "I think ive mentioned this every time this season about it being infectious that's what we want all around the football club. Not just the players everyone associated with the football club that winning feeling. That Buzz you can feel it before you step out onto the pitch its a winning mentality its a winning football club and that's what we are trying to bring. Credit to the lads they have stood up to the task we've got some big games coming up on Saturday we will prepare be ready and hopefully bring another good performance.
Its fantastic its what we have been trying to build since I came in last season we've been trying to build that trying to get a team together who have got that winning mentality and that then brings the club mentality to change into a club where we are respected wherever we go on and off the pitch because we put in a good honest performance and treat the place we visit or our home ground with respect and we just keep pushing each other and driving each other."

Speaking ahead of Saturday's FA Cup Clash;
"There a good side and have had a good start , we will do our homework this week try and find out what we can about them like we do with every team and we will prepare in the right manner. Tuesday, Thursday training. And then come Saturday the lads will be ready have all the information they need of how we want to play and what we need to do to hopefully get the victory and roll on Saturday."