Boro 4 Durham City 2

A classic home win with two from Drew.

Saturday 31 January 2009

Lost on Points!


Stormy Corner is a cold place to visit at this time of year,the home of Skelmersdale United is a barren place tucked away on an industrial estate. The ground is featureless with little character although the local support is full of character and encouragement for a team that as only been beaten twice in the league and flying in cup competitions. This would be a tough one for Boro even with the excellent win in midweek to boost the team. The pitch is dry as a bone and heavily sanded with a strong wind whipping across the ground. The game sets off on a good pace and both sides look straight away to keep the ball moving to feet. Boro in a changed kit of Black & Red see Adam Roscoe early and float a ball to him he tries to play in Oates but cant get enough on the head. United move the ball well and Sampson will need to be alert as the hosts look to play around him and behind. It is Sampson who is in the right place on 10 minutes when after a corner the ball lands in front of Michael White who strikes a good shot but cant beat the full back on the line. Griff Jones and Roscoe are looking to keep the centre halves on their toes and Roscoe with little options after winning the ball chooses to shoot and does bring out a tidy stop by the keeper low to his left. Boro look bright and will make a match of it. The home defence is indecisive when Boro break forward and find Griff Jones on the edge , no challenge comes in and he fires a strong lofted shot beyond the keeper to secure a fine start for Boro, 1-0! 15 minutes gone and we now have a contest. Unsworth is strong in his own box to see off the ball for a corner with Houghton bearing down. The corner is delivered and dealt with by Roscoe defending well and shows great determination to be at the edge of the home sides box within the minute , Sampson sends in a good ball that Griff Jones feeds in for Oates who is free on 8 yards but fires wide. The boro defence have to be sharp as Sean McConville & Georgie Donnelly link very well in midfield and bring in players around them with good slick passing. Kelly and Unsworth defend well to keep them at bay. McConville is soon at it again as he goes on a great run that beats 3 players in the heart of the boro defence , his shot was tame and wide but the threat is clear. He again finds the loose ball and this time with defenders retreating fires in , Priestley is comfortable in holding. Action at both ends this time at the United last third, Oates beats his man after good work by Sampson but the keeper as his shot tamed quickly. Boro come again and Dawson with a trademark header sees it go narrowly wide. A one bounce goal kick fro Priestley nearly embarrasses McMahon who is happy to see it land just on top of the net. McConville is in the mix again and is subject to a fantastic tackle by Sampson just before he pulled the trigger. Griff Jones wins the ball well with his back to goal turns and fires in a rising shot that as the keeper watching it very closely. Aaron Turner sets off on a superb run as he faces more defenders he plays a pinpoint pass to Georgie Donnelly who beats his man to send the ball safely into the bottom left corner of the net for the equalizer with 32 gone. A good open half is being watched by a lively crowd of just under 300, they witness a fantastic block by Foster after good Radcliffe football Jones and Sampson work the ball out wide and as the cross skims the head of Roscoe, Oates shoots. Crowder is the next to line up and send a shot just wide of the Boro goal. To the other end, Roscoe with a hopeful ball across the 18 yard line, the keeper slips in the sand and with Jones bearing down he some how recovers to smother. Donnelly and Crowder combine with the latter firing too high. After a good push forward the home side win a corner and when Steven Akrigg powers his header goal bound Priestley pulls off a wonder save to ensure the game is level at the break. Roscoe goes into the book for a trailing foot that caught the defender, a bit harsh as the tackle was not with any malice.Tom Brookes replaces Mark Drew at the interval. Skem make the first move with Turner on another run as he runs out of space he is beat in the challenge by Unsworth who can only guide it into the path of Adam Birchall who thumps a placed shot cleanly into the net for 2-1, a little relief ripples the crowd. Boro continue to play good approach football but united are getting stronger. Both sides are now competing for every ball with the ref slightly over zealous in giving free kicks. Boro are defending well and need to as Skelmersdale up the standard of play. Morrison replaces Turner on 67 minutes. With 15 minutes to go Boro find their feet again and create some chances through Roscoe and Jones. Owen Roberts sends in a good cross that Roscoe holds after controlling on his chest he is clearly pushed but the ref decides no penalty. Boro try again. The visitors have to be careful as United break quickly and can be in a scoring position within a few passes. Oates is replaced by Howson with ten to go and within seconds is on the end of a fantastic chipped pass by Brooks he sets to shoot but fires over while offside. Towey replaces Hoghton on 83 as the home side remain a danger even with Boro trying their best to snatch an equaliser. They have two gilt edge chances within 3 minutes , the first a free kick by Roberts on the left flys passed everyone and the post by inches. The second after a good move as Howson clear but he cant convert. Boro deserved a point in what would have been a fair result . Skelmersdale had been taken by surprise by a team that are far better than the league slot suggests. Skelmersdale will be one of the favourites for promotion and they deserve to be they are a tidy side. A lot of hard work by all the boro players will pay off, they look sharper and more determined, the results will come. The next trip is to the seaside to the home of Fleetwood, Wednesday night , yes it will be cold, but it is character building!

see you there , if not see you at the supporters club meet on Thursday, Boro club.

Paul.

Tuesday 27 January 2009

Bridge Crossing Victory

Finishing work is always a relief , get home have some tea, go to the match , what could be better. A nice way to finish the day. For the players of Radcliffe Borough it is often the start of another work period, most will have been up early for day jobs, travel to and from, think about the game , get to the ground and perform, a tall order that is often overlooked by supporters. Afternoon naps and massages are not the pre match normal in the Unibond world. Bamber Bridge will be the visitors who had been easy winners at the last meeting. Boro at home need to get on track. Changes to saturdays line up with Martyn Forrest replacing the now departed Lee Connell. Mark Drew returns from his knock to go in midfield with Sampson back at full back duties. Tom Brookes was back on the bench with Lee Unsworth missing through injury. A decent following of Brig fans helped boost a disappointing home crowd. The tempo was up from the start with Roscoe & Griff Jones looking lively from the off. brig get the first corner of the game and with few games of late look sharp enough. Early warning from the visitors as Neil Zarac is given offside from the second ball in from the corner , his header goes narrowly wide. Mark Drew serves up the first telling pass of the night releasing Griff Jones he puts in a cross that Owen Roberts can only just get something on it to send it skyward.
No shape to the game in the first fifteen with both sides closing down quickly. Priestley is called into action from a fierce shot by Tom Ince that takes a deflection and sees the keeper alive to push past the post. Bridge force another corner on 16 minutes, Boro don't learn from the earlier warning and from a standing header at the near post Colin McAllister scores with a simple header. An early blow to a bright start. Mark Drew again plays a positive forward ball that is intended for the run of Roscoe, McCann defends very coolly to see it safe. Griff Jones uses his strength to wrestle possession on the edge of the Brig box and gets his shot away, the block sends the ball for the corner. Roberts delivers a testing one that leaves Zarac the only option of heading over his own bar with some confusion from the defending side. Mark Drew delivers the corner that is put on a plate for the prolific centre half Dawson to add to his impressive tally with a net breaking header for 1-1! A period of Boro pressure follows lead by a great battling challenge by Sampson ,Griff Jones takes up and switches out to Roberts his cross his sliced uncomfortably out by the defender. Bamber relieve the pressure and win a corner and remain dangerous. After Brockley is booked unnecessarily for back chat, Brig show how dangerous they can be as they break after a poor clearance for Priestley a testing cross is sent in as the ball falls a shot flys in toward goal that is miraculously headed out by Dawson as it was goal bound with the keeper beaten. Boro keep going and Forrest supplies a chance for Griff Jones who sets himself well to lob over the keeper and bar. Owen Roberts his in a good slot to fire in a shot from a loose ball but sees it wide. With the whistle about to be blown for the half Boro push into the last third as the way is blocked the ball is kind to Roberts who fires in a great shot that the keeper can only parry into the path of the waiting Roscoe who takes his chance and whips the ball past the grounded keeper to give Boro the lead 2-1. Half time , good times.
No changes to the second half except that Brig come out of the traps quicker and with Roberts waiting and calling for offside Alex Porter gets behind the defence he is allowed two attempts to cross and finds Zico-Black who is left waiting to nod home at the far post 2-2 Boro caught napping. Griff Jones finds himself in the box working hard to win advantage, his work rate continues to be impressive throughout the game and his intelligent play can be seen in most attacks. His strike partner Roscoe is making the ball stick and shows the skill best when he feeds the ball out to Roberts who wastes the chance to cross. Bamber Bridge start to enjoy a period of pressure going into the hour mark and have boro digging deep to clear their lines. Forrest continues to pick decent passes and the combination of himself and Drew may be the answer to unlock defences and feed our forwards runs. Boro look long to free pressure from Brig knocking on the door, they are finding good positions and look the most likely to score first. Ince gets a shot in after a half clearance by Mark Jones, the play moves to the other end and sees mark Jones in action again as he wins the ball and takes it to the Bridge box he elects to set up Griff Jones who is smothered out. The visitors change Edmeads off & Brown on and continue to press, the next 10 minutes belong to Bamber Bridge as they create very good chances , the pick is Mason as he finds himself in the 6 yard box but shoots well wide when he should have scored. Steel is in the mix and sends a great ball into Porter he as a double attempt before the cross is cleared by Kelly the ball runs into the path of Zico-Black who as been the pick of the visitors team his shot flys close to the bar but over. Boro catch Brig narrowly offside as they press hard, Boro relieve the flow by clearing long at times ok but the clearances need to find a blue shirt and are at times only adding to the pressure. Priestley pulls off a fine save to deny Porter as boro look for the flag. The best relief is a goal and Roberts produces a clearance finds him out wide on the flank and he moves into the left end edge of the box with a man in front to beat, his confidence is high and it showed as he got the ball on his trusty left peg to fire low across the keeper and into the net, the Boro faithful are in voice. 15 minutes to go and it is down to sheer effort. Hearts are in the mouth as Priestley elects to punch clear with attackers waiting on the edge. Boro dig deep and want the win. Howson and Oates replace Roscoe and Griff Jones who will welcome their beds after the long working day. The ref adds on 3 minutes whilst all wait the win , Forrest typifies the Boro display as his last ditch block on the edge of the box sees out the game. A great win and a great game of football , all have earned a crust today both on the pitch and off , next time you hear somebody moaning about a poor pass ask them if they made a mistake at work today!

see you in Skem
Paul.

Saturday 24 January 2009

Magpie Show Stealers


Many non league clubs hope to find a diamond of a young player that help them move through the leagues or to one day improve the clubs bank balance. The 126 year old Victory Park football club have had one by the name of Paul Mariner, he played for the Magpies betwwen 1971 & 1973 before a move to Plymouth Argyle for a then whopping £22,000, he went on to play for Ipswich in the 81 Eufa cup final and represent England 33 times. He rightly as his shirts displayed in the social club a great bit of football history belonging to the club. Strikers have not fired this year for Boro, Ian Fitzpatrick as now left the club , changes then for Boro with Roscoe & Griff Jones starting up front. The team and management enter for some the familiar surroundings of Chorley FC .Roscoe shows his early indication of winning everything in the air from Roberts early free kick after Mark Jones is fouled. The first 20 minutes belong to Boro and they should have been in the lead on 7 minutes when after a quality move starting at the rear with Dawson through midfield to Sampson , his measured pass finds Connell out wide and a great delivery into the near post, Griff Jones attempts to side foot it in and is unlucky not to find the net. The resulting corner evades all except Griff Jones now on the back stick he curls a shot cleverly over the defence that beats the keeper but not the post, the ball is cleared to safety. Its all Boro and when Griff Jones turns brilliantly on the edge of the box but a perfect tackle by Mulineux saves Chorley. Chorley are struggling to match the start Boro have produced and are guilty of some fiery tackles so far unpunished. Chorley do settle after 20 minutes but largely depend on long lofted balls to progress. They do win a corner that demands a good clearance. Mark Jones is beaten to the ball in midfield by Walsh who races toward goal as he is closed down he feeds a good ball into the path of Shorrock who fires , the ball takes a kind deflection off Ekersley that Priestley can push round the post for a corner.The game is now levelling out with opportunities for both teams. Boro are looking the best bet to score first and continue to play football, passing well and finding the runs of Griff Jones and Roscoe.Roscoe and Mulineux trade insults in the box and both look to flair up, the ref calms it down but obvious niggle is creeping into the game. Radcliffe are guilty of resulting to the same tactics of air football used by Chorley as we have 5 to 10 minutes of head tennis and very high clearances . Most combination play starts at the feet of Connell who seems in his stride and when not with the ball shows some good chasing down of lost causes. Boro have forged some good positions but as of late can't get into a finishing position, Roberts as largely failed to beat the first man in his crosses and this leaves both Griff Jones and Roscoe wasting runs. The first half energy and good passing play by the visitors as been good to watch and hopefully will continue even in the league position we are in. Boro are out early and are left to wait a good few minutes before the hosts emerge. Boro have replaced Oates for Unsworth and sees Sampson revert to right back, Oates goes into midfield. Burke replaces Walsh for the magpies. Chorley try first with a shot from Sharrock that goes wide. Boro respond by Griff Jones keeping the ball well in the corner his cross is deflected for a corner. Samson uses the loose ball from the corner well to send a class pass to Roberts his cross his good but defended well. Quickly to the other end by the keeper as Sharrock running unchallenged he passes to the feet of Eckersley just as he is ready to pull the trigger 8 yards out Dawson supplies an impeccable challenge that saves a certain goal. Within seconds the ball as not been cleared and Dawson thwarts Eckersley again. Chorley are now the likeliest side and they win a corner but to no avail. End to end stuff at Victory Park as we approach the hour. A couple of bookings for both sides as each try to dominate the game. The game is now a more scrappy affair littered with petty fouls and rushed passing. Brockley leaves the field after earlier complaining about his sight, Martyn Forrest moves into the centre half slot. On 75 minutes Dawson up ends Burke in the box, Burke was bearing down on Priestley in the box. The ref decides a penalty is not punishment enough and sends Dawson off. Eckersley steps up and coolly places the spot kick past Priestley for 1-0. Boro are devastated as again the possession and better quality football as been theirs for the majority of the game. Frustration gets the better of him and he lunges with two feet up on the Chorley defender Finch. The ref gives Oates a straight red and Boro have only 9 men to get an equalizer with. Boro dont lie down and produce a couple of moves in the last fifteen that would have you believing they belong in the top three. Connells sees his strong drive leave his boot and rise just over the bar from 30 yards. Connell in the heart of a good move into the Chorley box sees him pushed to the ground just as he was about to shoot from 6 yards. The ref looks away. Connell is replaced after having his best game in a while by Howson, Connell looked very disappointed.Gaps are now appearing as Chorley take the two man advantage they have been given and break well , Priestley pulls off a fine save from Eckersley whos rasping shot from the edge of the box is pushed firmly over the bar high to Priestleys left.
As the 90 minutes are gone and two are added, Roscoe wins the free kick by Roberts from the keeper and the scrambled ball lands for Howson he shoots straight into the keepers chest. Chorley break and go two up as Nolan feeds Mcgann in acres , he as time to pick his spot to scoop the ball over the advancing keeper.The game ends with most Boro followers amazed we came away with nothing, a Chorley supporter on the way out summed it up for me when he said,'how did we get away with that?' The suspensions from this game will hurt us as will the result itself. I enjoyed the game and the football boro played, i believe results will come, the win at Chorley last season was the turning point for the club , lets hope this visits is.

I wonder if Paul Mariner is available for any goalscoring tips!

see you soon

Tuesday 20 January 2009

A Poor View.

A short journey over to Shawe View home of Trafford by myself and the usual Boro faithful helped swell the crowd to 70 on a cold wet night, the big boys across at Old Trafford may have attracted a few away. The Boro support was good in number and deserved cheering up from Saturdays disappointment. An unchanged line up for the third game in a row would have to play in all yellow, the home sides second kit due to mix up in the Boro camp. The bench was the trio of Oates, Roscoe and Griff Jones.
Boro get into gear first with the usual standard of passing that is good to watch , Unsworth combines early with Connell and Howson for the first potential opening. The leagues top scorer , Barlow is first to show for Trafford but is crowded out on the edge of the box, when Sampson loses the ball in his own half Winter reacts first and feeds the run of Barlow who is quick into his step and can only fire over the Sid Firmedow Stand . Boro respond with a great pass by Connell behind the defence to Fitzpatrick his cross cum shot fires across the six yard box that Howson doesn't gamble on and the chance goes. The post denies Trafford an early lead when Lundy meets the corner of Mackay with a glancing header, Unsworth sees it safe. A neat flick by Fitzpatrick sets up a good passing move that forms the pattern of most of Radcliffes half. Plenty of possesion and players to find in central safe areas. Boro can switch the ball and play across midfield at distance from the danger area, there is a severe lack of punch or a killer pass into the heart of opponents. Mark Jones shot from distance is the nearest to troubling the keeper in the first half hour. Boro have the lions share with Trafford largely restricted to defensive work, Boro are being sent an invitation to score but chose not to take it seriously. Lundy looks strong and takes a difficult ball well and turns but is just short in setting Barlow free on goal. Si Kelly as his name taken for a late one on Coppin. Andy Ralph in the home goal keeps the score at nil -nil with a fine instinctive save when Connell is on the end of Unsworths swinging cross that beats everyone in the box, the shot into the ground rises enough for the keeper to punch the ball over the bar from the floor. The best chance yet for either side. Boro spurred on do some good closing down work on the back four , hard work from Howson and Fitzpatrick , the half runs out with plenty of passing from the visitors but no combination to open the defence, a spark in the last third is needed. The game as been poor with either side unable to carve any real gilt edge chances. It will be difficult as the temperature drops to endure 45 minutes of the same . The opening of the second half sees Lundy require treatment for a clash of heads once recovered Trafford are the first to take up the task of improving the game. They have a few minutes of football before Boro take up possession again, Sampson turns on the ball skilfully to set up Fitzpatrick who can't keep it in play when out wide. The ball is won from the throw and play is switched to the other flank for Unsworth who is delayed in the delivery , when it arrives via the midfield it has Fitzpatrick in space 10 yards out he steadies and aims but the target is safe as he clears the stand in front of him, it should have been 1-0 these misses as per Saturday will prove costly. Trafford swap Coppin for Thomas on the hour and he soon starts to influence. Trafford look more lively and see two chances in two minutes defended well by Dawson , the pressure builds into the 72nd minute and blows the defence apart with two good passes finding the feet of Barlow who shows his form and bangs a shot across Priestley and into the bottom left of the net for 1-0. Within a minute he asks the question again and a higher shot across Priestley has the keeper stretching to save high up to his left. Lundy joins in from the corner but can only hit the side netting. Boro respond by replacing the front two of Howson and Fitzpatrick for Roscoe and Griff Jones. Howsons last touch was a glancing header from a Roberts cross that was not threatening enough.
Boro go forward and push for the leveller , Roscoe can only knee a cross into safe hands after Dawson and Roberts supply. Oates for Sampson is the last throw of the dice in the last 10 or so minutes. Brockley is on the end of a good cross but can only get his eyebrows to it and it lands easy for the keeper. Trafford are restricted to being given offside as they look for the corners of the field and see the game out.Griff Jones is unlucky to only get a toe to the ball from Dawson and he can not fire at goal. Roscoe on the end of another quality cross by Roberts heads just wide. Into 90 plus minutes and Griff Jones forces the keeper into a good save under the angle of post and bar , the corner sees the last chance a shot that is blocked from Connell.The game ends in a 1-0 defeat and see Boro lying just above Salford, OK by twelve points but the table is fact and one simple fact is we cannot score goals . Do we over play the passing game? , do we revert to a long ball when we run out of patience, i don't have the answers , i do have optimism and i believe the current squad is good, but not good enough at finishing opponents when we start to get them on the ropes, we need somebody who can throw that killer punch , who can pick the right shot to take the wind out of the sails of the challengers. Tonight's game was as miserable as the weather, in the words of a great comic,

bring me sunshine!

see you at Chorley for an away victory!

Paul

Sunday 18 January 2009

Paying the Penalty

It was going to be a day of dissapointments, starting with the news of no pre- match pies! The freezing weather of late had left us for a while , the playing surface had been given a heavy natural watering overnight but the pitch looked in good health. The team sheet announced an unchanged line up from the excellent draw at Halifax the week before. Woodley named ex Manchester City , Sunderland and Northern Ireland international Jeff Whitley to play in midfield. With no Mark Drew available and Rutter, Manning & Brookes playing at Whalley Range , the bench had only the three of Roscoe, Oates & Griff Jones keeping warm.
The game starts and it is clear from the off Boro want a win , the game is pacy, frantic at times in the opening 15 minutes. Boro ask the early questions with some good controlled passing largely invoving Sampson, Mark Jones and Howson. The team both playing and managing seem more vocal today, players are closing down quickly and chasing. Mark Jones is fighting for everything . The frantic opening is looking for a more patient approach and Boro at times are rushing play. Chances are few with good moves breaking down at the vital time. Woodley have little to offer before Hogan sends a ball down the flank for Gavin Salmon to run on to , he is well placed to strike but hits the ball high and very wide. Owen Roberts is looking to deliver from his left foot as often as the Woodley defence let him. Brockley is over zealous in the tackle and brings Queeley down 25 yards from goal. Salmon takes the free kick , the ball deflects off the studs of the jumping Boro wall for the first corner of the game. The ball runs loose for Walker to strike wide. Ian Fitzpatrick is given a golden oppurtunityon 21 as Woodley fail to clear a long punt up field , the keeper fluffs the catch and when the ball spins for Fitzpatrick he does well to find space but elects to blast the ball rather than a placed strike , the ball nearly clears the stand. He as another chance two minutes later when Boro win a free kick at 22 yards. He curls the ball well over the wall but unluckily over the bar as well. The visitors are limited to long distance football and have little to go at. Radcliffe Borough throughout the half have demonstrated that they can pass the ball very well, the demonstration of finishing a move is to be worked at. Fitzpatrick unless fed on his left pauses play too often when the momentum is with Boro. Sampson as looked impressive higher up the field. Howson as worked hard again in the half but seems to be doing most of his work wide of the goals. Boro have not capatalised on the possession and are left reeling when on a rare break Danny Queely is challenged well in the box by Dawson, the tackle slightly from behind as the referee pointing to the spot in time added on to the 45. Salmon steps up and makes it 1-0 , a punishing body blow to the energised Boro side.
Hungry for pies and a home goal i settle for hot tea!
No changes for the second half , Woodley start the brighter and soon win a corner and free kick before Boro wake up. Howson working on the flank wins the ball and feeds Fitzpatrick who as his shot blocked, the corner is met by Dawson who can not direct on goal. Connell sends a ball up and under that Howson gets a toe to , Fitzpatrick shapes and shoots very high and wide. Substitutions by both sides break up the lacklustre game. Boro change the frontline with Howson and Fitzy off and Roscoe and Griff Jones on. Woodley replace the in effective Whitley. No saves of any note have been made in the game until Connett in the visitors goal saves well low to his left after Roscoe forces play leaving Roberts the strike. The corner lands for Griff jones and his shot is blocked weel, the break by Woodley is quick Salmon stays on his feet in the box and shoots narrowly wide. Boro are pushing for the equaliser , they replace Connell for Oates . Roscoe controls well on his chest and plays a good ball out to Unsworth his cross is defended only to Oates who fires in that the keeper as difficulty with but smothers in time. The referee spends the next 5 minutes making some very odd decisions, notably playing advantage when Mark Jones is fouled he rides the foul and plays in griff jones for the shot, the shot goes wide. The ref pulls play back for the free kick then realises he let play go and gives the goal kick. The last 10 is all Boro except for two break aways , the first sees Salmon muscle in between Dawson and Kelly to fire over, the second, again Salmon racing down the inside of the box tussling with Brockley , Brockley is judged to bring him down in what looked to be a fair dual. Penalty! The protest from Mark Jones sees him booked , the penalty is converted by Salmon on 90 minutes and Boro lose 2-0.
I like the shape of this Boro line up it promises a lot, i like the team playing football on the floor. I like the effort, but most of all i like goals especially Radcliffe Borough ones, they will come i am sure with quality of strikers we have, but they need to come quicker than the end of the season.

see you at Trafford

Sunday 11 January 2009

Howz That!

Jumping in the car once i knew the game was on brought a wry smile after just hearing that two premiership clubs couldn't beat the freeze, well done Halifax! Covers on the pitch saved the day and viewing the pitch on arrival it was sprayed with sand but looked in good nick considering Rugby league is played here. The tenner entrance was questioned by fellow Boro followers and rightly so. The fund raising by the club is evident and they appeared to look proactive all afternoon with sponsors being hosted throughout. The ground will be a fantastic venue once finished, good luck to em. Success as to be paid for these days and most are happy to pay, the programme was not a patch on the boro one and a quid dearer! A crowd of 1172 greeted the sides and loudly too. Boro kicked off in the change of maroon kits, Gary Sampson returned to play out on the high left. A strong back line and a strong bench filled me with optimism for the 90 minutes ahead. Michael Barnes was making his debut for the Shaymen. Halifax explain their current league position as early as the 3rd minute when Leitch- Smith skins Owen Roberts on the Boro left before sending in a hard cross for Damien Allen who should of scored , Phil Priestley gets enough on it to hold. Within a minute Leitch- Smith is free again to cross but Priestley collects well in the air. Dawson settles early nerves by sending a good long cross field ball intended for Howson who collects but is shadowed closely by centre half Sutton. Fitzpatrick and Sampson playing high on the left press well. The team have settled and the shape looks good. Sampson looking lively sends a shot high and wide. Early yet but Roberts looks to have his hands full with Leitch - Smith. Halifax force a corner and play short before Boro defend well to clear. Boro have the next corner after good approach play with Mark Jones playing in a good pass to Howson to get to the bye line before is cross is deflected. The corner is good but is cleared although not convincingly. Nigel Jemson playing up front as a half chance but his shot is easy for Priestley. Boro after the first quarter look settled and get a great chance after Sampson wins a free kick centrally. Connell takes up the play feeding Mark Jones his floated cross sees Dawson rising to meet the ball contact is good but direction poor and the chance is gone. Boro press and close well leading to Halifax just not finding the passes their movement deserves. Roberts as now got the measure of his attacker and does well in his own box to avert danger.A flutter in Boro hearts as ex Crewe player Junior Brown starts to liven up and ask numerous questions of the Radcliffe back line. His first shot is blocked and second goes wide. Boro are happy to keep Fizty and Howson up top and with help from Jones look threatening. Priestley slices a clearance that lands for Brockley who slices his clearance for a throw. The throw is cleared up by Jones and the ball sent to find the target of Howson . The Yorkshiremen come again through Cavell Coo and Brown down the left flank , Dawson moves across and clears into the stands. Boro recover the ball to set a good break through the middle leaving Connell to shoot on target. Just on the half hour Brown breaks free into the box and as Priestley setting himself, just before he pulls the trigger Unsworth slides in with a timed tackle that is perfect. The saving of a certain goal. The next action is a certain goal when Boro play statues as the ball drops in the box for Lincoln Adams to sweep the ball past Priestley for the opener to the home side, Boro are left claiming a push on Dawson. The goal as settled Halifax and they find passes easier. Boro are still in the game and Kelly sets off on a great run through the middle , he chooses to shoot from distance with no conviction. The surface is making a lot of players lose footing especially on the touch lines but despite the conditions both sides keep it on the ground and are both playing well. A minute is added to the half before the sides head for the tunnel and for some a change of footwear.
No changes greet us for the second half. Halifax set about increasing the lead with Coo and Brown still a threat as they bring a save from Priestley. He saves again shortly afterwards fro debutant Barnes. Early second half pressure from Halifax, Priestley completely miss- judges a soft cross that bounces behind him before Kelly hooks clear, it could have been embarrassing.
Damien Allen looks a great player for Halifax and largely sets up most things for the home side. Boro settle back into a steady stride and are unlucky when Howson is close to latching on to a weak back header from the Halifax captain Meadowcroft. Priestley adds grey hairs to his defence when he slices another clearance for a corner that could have been worse. Roberts starts to shine and he thinks quickly to send Sampson in space down the left flank , his whipped cross evades the keeper and Howson. Boro are getting on top by using the route of Roberts talented left peg. The hour passes and the home crowd are starting to turn with Boro gaining momentum Roberts again sends in a great teasing cross that as everybody beat including the descending Connell who is inches away from converting with the goal at his mercy. Minutes later Roberts as his reward and his cross is simply not held by Kennedy , Howson is waiting and reacts first by looping the ball wide of the keeper for a deserved equaliser. 1-1! Halifax respond with two subs , Jemson & Leitch -Smith are off after having little joy against Brockley & Dawson. Gedman & Stott enter the field. Brockley as looked strong all game and even more so as he sees the winger Barnes into touch over the bye line. The locals don't like it and the moaning starts largely pointed at the ref as they start to see Boro as a real threat. Damien Allen remains impressive with good skill to set play at the edge of the box, Kelly remains defiant and sends him packing. Gedman on 75 shows his strength and finds space to release a good shot across the goal. Barnes sets off on a cross field run that sees Kelly hack him down , the ref plays advantage , Boro defend well to clear, Kelly is called over and is lucky not to go in the book. I would like to think the ref as considered the conditions. 80 minutes have gone and Howson with little to go at out wide on the Halifax left looks up and sees the keeper off his line he hits the ball true to loft it above him and hit the post before bouncing across goal and away to safety, a moment of brilliance that would have been a very worthy winner. Roscoe replaces Fitzpatrick Brown is swapped for Neil Ross from the Halifax bench.
Phil Priestley is often associated with pies by the opponents fans, this time he as them eating Pies of the humble variety when he pulls off two fantastic saves , the first from a wicked header from sub Ross that he shows natural agility to reach , the second after recovering quickly from the floor blocks Gedmans shot brilliantly. Priestley as had me looking to the skies this season with some howlers, but fair play he is the best shot stopper in the league , FACT Mr Benitez!
Boro look to win the game and it was great to see strikers replacing strikers , Howson left to my standing ovation i think he had his best game this season. Oats took up the task and came close but was beaten by a great tackle in the box. The ref adds two minutes and when the whistle went it felt like a victory, we played well, very well. Players looked comfortable and for the first time in a while, together. Roberts running from the left flank to the far corner of the field to celebrate with Howson and the rest of the team sprinting to get there to pile on top showed real team spirit.
Kevin promised changes during the supporters club meeting and stated that we will see an improvement, we did , long may it continue,

see you
p.s
Dont forget the race night , Boro Club Saturday 17th 7.30!

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