First Team
Matches
Sat 01 Dec 2018  ·  West Division
Radcliffe FC
First Team
C Grogan (13'), T Owolabi (65')
2
0
Atherton Collieries
Owolabi seals the points in vital clash

Owolabi seals the points in vital clash

Matthew Jones2 Dec 2018 - 15:35
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An impressive Boro get the job done in pivotal top of table clash

Report By Rory Baird

Radcliffe FC brushed aside promotion rivals Atherton Collieries in a 2-0 win at the Neuven Stadium.

It was Atherton Collieries who had the first chance in the first minute of what was a feisty game at the top of the table as James Kirby picked up the ball and ran at the Boro defence seeing his shot blocked and the rebound being volleyed wide by Ben Hardcastle.

The Boro went close five minutes later when Matt Crothers corner was met by the head of Lewis Lacy but he could only direct his header wide of the post.

Radcliffe did have success from a corner soon afterwards when another Matt Crothers corner was this time met by Callum Grogan who rose highest to head Boro into the lead.


Callum Grogan gets his 8th Boro goal

The away side went in search of an equaliser and nearly found it when Ben Hardcastle’s shot across goal was cleared but only as far as Jordan Cover as he tried an overhead kick but he could only steer it over the bar.

The Boro nearly doubled their lead half way through the first half when Elliott Rokka picked up the ball from a short corner and curled an audacious effort towards the far top corner but the Atherton keeper was equal to it with an incredible save.

Atherton nearly levelled when James Kirby’s glancing header at the front post went inches wide of Boro’s back post.

Colls nearly equalised on the stroke of half time as Ben Hardcastle tried his luck from a tricky angle but only managed the hit the side netting.

The Boro doubled their lead in the second half after Tunde Owolabi broke through Atherton defence after a flick on from Ben Wharton before calmly drilling a shot underneath the keeper into the bottom corner.


Tunde Time: Owolabi Scores and secures three points for the second time in seven days

Radcliffe almost added a third shortly after when Rick Smith tried his luck from range but his shot went just wide of the Atherton post.

Ben Hardcastle went close for the visitors again as he picked up the ball and ran at the Boro defence before unleashing a powerful effort that went narrowly wide.

Tunde Owolabi almost added a spectacular third for the Boro as he went on a great run down the left wing before cutting in and putting his effort across the face of goal.

Boro almost added a third in the last minute of normal time as some brilliant football worked its way to Matt Crothers who tried to place his shot in the bottom corner but the keeper managed to make a comfortable save.

Radcliffe clinched a vital win over rivals Atherton Collieries as they triumphed 2-0 at the Neuven Stadium.

Jon Macken spoke to RadcliffeTV After the game and was delighted with his team and the focus is always on the next game.

"You always want to beat the top, they are there for a reason, I think we deserved it deserved the win. Like I've said all season I think we are capable of putting in a performance and getting a win against everyone we've played this season and who were going to face again. Its nothing we haven't been working on what we can see the lads are capable of. They still have more to give and more to come. He Said.
We want to win every game we play, you don't want to go out of a cup competition and concentrate on the league. You want to win every game you can play. Its a tough task to ask of the lads. We've got players in the squad that are more than capable of doing this and achieving a lot more and were going to push them, drive them and get the best out of them we possibly can."

The full interview with Jon and also with Oliver Martin. Is available on our YouTube Channel RadcliffeTV

Match details

Match date

Sat 01 Dec 2018

Kickoff

15:00

Attendance

253

Competition

West Division

League position

2
Atherton Collieries
3
Radcliffe FC
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Stadium Sponsor - Neuven
Kit Partner - Hope & Glory
Shirt Sponsor - Collaborate Living
Shirt Sponsor - Football Learning Group
Sponsor - Taurus
Radio - Radcliffe Radio
Sponsor - Azat Mard
Club Sponsor - Associated Security
Shirt Sponsor - LightsaveLED
Sponsor - Village Hotel
Sponsor - Chaps
Sponsor - Rijo Coffee
Sponsor - Magnum Taxi
Sponsor - ink motor
Sponsor - funeral
Sponsor - Swerdlow interiors
Sponsor - Affordable Stylish interiors
Sponsor - Adapt Finance
Sponsor - PJP
Sponsor - Franklyn
Sponsor - Northern Health Care
Sponsor - Peel Plant
Travel Partner - Rothwells