After rainfall forced the fixture to be abandoned at the first time of asking, Radcliffe face Morpeth Town after a successful trip to Stafford over the weekend. Both sides enjoyed victories and a clean sheet last time out, and will be keen to carry over those performances into Tuesday night. 

The Opposition

Morpeth are currently on track to finish with more points than last season, and potentially in the top half of the table. After almost finishing in the bottom four last year, it can only be seen as a successful campaign.

 Away from home, Morpeth have only picked up 13 points compared to the 31 they have taken at Craik Park, with just three wins on the road against Stafford, Gainsborough and FC United; though two of the wins have come in their last three road trips. 

The Highwaymen visit the Neuven Stadium in good form, with three wins on the bounce and only one goal conceded which is a positive change having shipped 11 over a three-game spell before their recent winning run.

Stat Pack

1st - League Position – 11th
33 – Played – 32
74 – Points – 44
24 – Wins – 12
2 – Draws – 8
7 – Losses – 12
85 – Goals For – 60
45 – Goals Against – 62
Jordan Hulme (21) - Top Scorer - Sam Hodgson (16) 

Ones To Watch

Rick Smith could play an important role for Radcliffe in this match. The defender has been in great form as of late and will need to continue that run to ensure that Morpeth are not able to continue their good attacking form.

Sam Hodgson has been in a rich vein of form recently and will be key to the visitors’ attack. With eight goals in his last eight, the striker will be a threat going forward despite being kept quiet in the previous two meetings between the sides. 

Last Time Out

So far, the two outfits have met twice this season. Most recently in November, an 88th minute Jordan Hulme winner was the difference on the night to secure all three points away at Craik Park. 

In a goalless first half, both teams had opportunities to break the deadlock. Jude Oyibo caused nightmares for the home side’s defence and was almost rewarded in the final minutes of the half, when a fizzed ball across goal narrowly evaded Hulme in the centre. 

The second half began with a flurry of goals as Morpeth took a 2-1 lead within six minutes. Will Jenkins volleyed the ball into the back of the Radcliffe goal, amid claims of handball. 

Within minutes however, Hulme had equalised as a well-worked attack down the left wing resulted in the ball being put on a plate for the number nine to level the game. Jack Foalle then restored Morpeth’s lead as he headed in Vinnie Steel’s cross at the back post. 

After 66 minutes, the game was tied as Oyibo cut the ball onto his right foot on the edge of the area before he picked out the bottom corner of the Morpeth goal. 

The Radcliffe pressure then turned up a notch and would eventually be awarded with a winning goal in the 88th minute. Sean Tse managed to find Hulme on the edge of the area, the striker turned on the spot and found the bottom corner beyond the reach of the Morpeth goalkeeper.

  A nervy seven minutes of injury time followed, but good game management and resilient defending saw the Boro take all three points in the North East. 

Matchday Information 

Date: 19/03/24
Time: 7:45pm kick-off
Location: Neuven Stadium 

Adult: £10
Concession: £7 
Under 16: Free  

Buy your tickets online here.   

Can't Attend The Game?  

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Around The Grounds 

Stafford Rangers v Macclesfield FC
Whitby Town v Guiseley AFC