Two goals in the first half from Matt Sargent and Olly Thornley gave Radcliffe a platform to build on in the second half. Lois Maynard and Luca Navarro added their names to the scoresheet before full-time, sandwiched between a late consolation for the visitors.  

Bernard and Jonno made one change to the team that swept aside Stafford Rangers at the weekend, which saw Jamie Morgan enter the starting line-up in place of Rick Smith, who came off early with a knock at the Stan Robinson Stadium.

Positive football from the first whistle saw Radcliffe threaten the Morpeth goal in the opening exchanges. A dangerous cross towards the back post into Brad Jackson was put behind for a corner, but the set piece only led to an effort from 20 yards out from Anthony Dudley that was comfortably saved.  

The early pressure paid off in the 13th minute, as Matt Sargent gave Radcliffe a one-goal lead to net his second in as many games.

An initial break away saw Jordan Hulme’s effort well matched by Dan Lowson, however the visiting shot stopper was unable to keep out a second effort from the Welshman, who got to the rebound first and made the most of the chance by sliding into the bottom corner.

 The home side continued to go close after putting away the go-ahead goal, as they almost doubled their lead on numerous occasions.

With Radcliffe’s best opportunity in this period, Josh Hancock clipped the ball into Hulme at the back post and he managed to adjust his body and nod towards the top corner, but Lowson was able to palm clear with an excellent stop. 

With three minutes left of first-half action, Radcliffe should have had a two-goal cushion. First through Oyibo, the winger had broken into the penalty area and appeared to be pushed to the ground but the referee quickly waved away the appeals.

In the very next attack, Hulme’s curled attempt from the left struck the inside of the post, agonisingly maintaining the 1-0 scoreline.   

Despite the heroic efforts of the Morpeth ‘keeper, the Boro had a second with their final attack before the break. A late corner kick wasn’t cleared by the opposition defenders, and amongst a scramble inside the six-yard area, the ball dropped kindly for Olly Thornley who tapped home.

Both sides started the second half well but other than Hulme’s dangerous cross into the corridor of uncertainty, neither outfit threatened the opposing goal.

This was until Jamie Morgan managed to get on the end of Jackson’s delivery into the six-yard area, however Lowson remained a thorn in Radcliffe’s side by reacting well and saving instinctively.

 With the Boro’s ninth corner of the game, a third goal was added to the Radcliffe lead to put us in the driving seat for a comfortable victory.

Lois Maynard connected with a pin-point delivery from Nicky Adams’ corner, having the simple task of heading the ball into the back of the net from less than two yards out before wheeling away in celebration.

  As the game looked to be ended as a contest and the three points secured, a triple Radcliffe change was made in the 70th minute as Hancock, Jackson and Hulme all made way for Luca Navarro, Jake Thompson, and Ewan Bange.

Morpeth pushed up the pitch as they searched for a way back into the game which left space in behind for Oyibo and Thompson to exploit. The former played in the latter, but his powerful effort was just the wrong side of the far post.

Less than five minutes were left in the contest when Morpeth netted a consolation with very little celebrations in the closing stages. Second-half substitute Vinnie Steels put away the rebound from Andrew Johnson’s initial effort from inside the area, but it was too little too late for his team.

The Boro’s three-goal lead was restored with our next attack, and it was a welcome return amongst the goals for Navarro. The forward sprinted into empty space and went one-on-one with the ‘keeper after being played through by Oyibo, before cheekily chipping the ball over Lowson and into the back of the net.

The referee brought the tie to a conclusion after three minutes of added time with the final scoreline in favour of the hosts, who dominated for the majority and more than merited a comfortable 4-1 victory.

Next up, Radcliffe are back at home on Saturday as we entertain Ashton United. We’re celebrating Non-League Day and to recognise this we have slashed ticket prices, click here to purchase yours!

Radcliffe: Hewelt, Morgan, Oyibo, Sargent, Thornley, Maynard, Jackson (Thompson 69’), Adams, Hulme (Bange 69’), Dudley, Hancock (Navarro 69’) 

Unused Subs: Tse, Brockbank  

Morpeth: Lowson, Wombwell, Robson, Barlow (Donaldson 73’) , Henderson, Turner, Foalle, Fenton, Hodgson (64’), Bollado (Dowling 73’), Johnson  

Unused Subs: Boyd, King