Christmas No.1 for The Boro

By Rory Baird

Radcliffe FC beat Widnes at the Neuven stadium to ensure top spot for Christmas.

The Boro got off to a flying start as the took the lead inside the first minute when Liam Wood got down the left wing before putting it across for Tunde Owolabi who chipped the keeper at the near post.

Radcliffe were two ahead within 8 minutes when a corner was cleared as far as Matt Crothers who brought the ball down superbly before rounding his man and rifling a shot into the top corner.

The home side dominated the early stages of the game as Elliott Rokka had a free header from a Callum Grogan cross but there was no power behind it and it was an easy save for Owen Wheeler in the Widnes goal.

Boro almost made it three after a goalmouth scramble saw Tunde Owolabi and Callum Grogan both denied by the Widnes keeper.

Radcliffe continued to attack as Tunde Owolabi went on a fantastic run down the wing before cutting the ball back into the box but the ball evaded the Boro players in the box.

Widnes pulled one back after thirty minutes when a pinpoint corner was met by Joe Herbert who headed home.

Shortly after Boro survived a goalmouth scramble in which Widnes forced Ollie Martin into making three outstanding saves to keep Boro in the lead.

Radcliffe restored their two goal lead around the hour mark when Tunde Owolabi won Radcliffe a penalty as he was brought down. Ben Wharton stepped up and placed the resulting penalty into the bottom left corner.

Ollie Martin maintained Boro’s two goal lead shortly after when he made a great save to deny Ben Hodkinson and the ball then fell to Sean Myler but he could only steer his rebound over the bar.

Chris Lomax almost pulled one back for Widnes late on as he flashed a shot across the face of goal but he couldn’t find the far bottom corner.

Boro put in a dominant display and manage to put themselves top of the table for Christmas.