Boro 4 Durham City 2

A classic home win with two from Drew.

Sunday 1 March 2009

A tale of two games

A week in football is said to be a long week, the one just gone for Radcliffe Borough was both long and demanding. A loss in the previous home game followed by a training game on Tuesday v FC, a days rest before a trip to the South Lakes town of Kendal another days rest, finish work for the week and get ready for the visit of Lancaster City to Stainton Park. This tale begins on Thursday night at Kendal , a damp misty night as well. Kendal having just lost at home to FC would be hoping to secure a spot in the Lancashire Co-operative Cup, Boro had other ideas.
With news that Craig Dawson had now signed for Rochdale FC his shirt would be handed to Steve Howson for the night. Michael Oates back from suspension would line up with Rutter & Brookes on the bench for the night. Boro got at Kendal quickly and within the first ten minutes demonstrated what would be a night of in your face football from the visitors. In these opening minutes Mark Drew and Mark Jones pounced on every loose ball. Kendal knew a game was on. Roscoe finds space on the right before he finds Griff Jones he creates space and brings a save from the keeper. Kendal are now finding thier feet and look to make a game of it. A couple of shots fromdistance that are wide inform Boro that some defending will be needed. Howson is caught on the wrong side of his man but is assisted by Kelly & Unsworth in mopping up. Howson as been warned and he goes from strength to strength in is new role. Mark Drew finds a great pass into open grass for Roberts he gains yards before the pass to Oates his shot is a tester for the keeper. The woodwork above Priestley helps Boro as a ball floats over his head , Roberts clears the rebound . The Kendal centre forward goes on a strong run into the box , Unsworth times his foot in well and the threat as gone. The game is now end to end with Boro sticking to playing on the grass that as quickened with the steady drizzle. Roscoe flicks on strongly for Griff jones with the keeper nearly handling outside the box to beat him. 28 minutes of a great cup game and Boro take the lead Si Kelly leading by example takes the ball by the sruff of its neck and pushes for the danger zone , the pass goes into the feet of Roscoe who cannot turn and chooses to send the ball out to Drew , head down he drives the shot that takes a slight deflection off the defender , the keeper starts to go the other way and its 1-0 to the visitors. The display so far as surprised Kendal and the visitors look more likely to increase the lead. The home crowd begin to groan as thier team struggle to find passes and create real chances. Boro through the head of Roscoe loops on to the bar after a good cross by Roberts. Mark Drew is showing the most and is binding some good midfield work with those around him. Kendal are restricted to half chances before Wordsworth after a short free kick shapes and shoots just over the bar. Roscoe at the other end is fouled ,the resulting kick hits the wall ad the half ends in Boros favour. The second half starts frantically and the pace is quicker. The pitch is getting heavier with Kendal in a more positive mood. Chances are frequent now at both ends and more goals must be on the cards. he game is developing in to one of the best i have seen this season with both sides looking to attack in a pulsating cup semi. Boro with one foot in the final use Roscoe to flick on in the box ,the ball rolls down the arm of the defender and the ref points directly to the spot on 61 minutes. Griff Jones steps up and confidently makes it 2-0. Kendal now react with purpose and within 5 minutes the ball floats over Priestley and sees him indecisive before Danny Wisdom is free at the far post to prod home a lifeline for Kendal , 2-1. The last quarter of the game is a defending challenge for Boro as Kendal push high up field . Kelly , Howson and Unsworth spend the rest of the game soaking up pressure and do so as a unit. Howson as played. Boro are looking to catch the home side on the break as they push. Priestley forms part of the solid defensive display and pulls off a magnificent save from Wordsworths strike , the ball heading for the top corner is reached and guided away from goal, worthy of the win alone. Boro could have made it three when they break in numbers 3 v 2 first Roscoe , then Oats and Jones all have the goal at thier mercy but cant convert. The whistle blows and a third final in two seasons is reached. A lengthy trip home is worth it . Every player worked tirelessly for the victory and deserve a cup final. Just over 40 hours to the next game!

Boro 1 Lancaster 1

40 hours have gone and the team line up again to take on Lancaster a team they have beat in league and cup so far this season. Lancaster have had improved results since christmas and look good sat at the top half of the table, They bring a lively following. Lancaster start well and it can be seen why they are at the other end of the table from the boro. Si Kelly is missing through injury but Craig Dawson returns now on loan from Rochdale, Howson will continue his role in defence. The game is to be a footballing one as both teams stroke passes around and develop moves patiently. Roscoe will have his work cut out in the air with the two centre halves from Lancaster, they are aware of his threat from the beginning and will use whatever it takes both legal and illegal to stop him. Both dawson and Howson are called early to see off threats , Howsons saving tackle in the box was perfect and his thirst for football after a long spell on the bench is evident. Boro have chances but cannot convert before Lancaster take thiers on 17 minutes. A shot from the edge of the box by the impressive squirms under the foot of Dawson and rests in the back of the net. 1-0 to the visitors. Boro now need to recover and continue to play football and are the team with the most possesion for the next 25 minutes. Lancaster always look dangerous and capable of converting chances . Boro are increasingly guilty of getting to the right place with the right style of football but simply fail in final quality or choose the wrong shooting option. Endeavour and graft cannot be questioned. The hard work pays off with Griff Jones on the end of a move that sees his shot travel agonisingly slow across the keeper and into the net to level the game. A few minutes later Unsworth sends long to Roscoe who glances on to Griff Jones , the ball runs loose to Drew who drives a great shot that is saved but pushed out to Griff Jones to reach and scoop the ball across the keeper that goes inches wide. Boro finish the half strongly. Lancaster are forced to change the tango man Thornley in goal through injury , Beesley goes between the sticks. Lancaster are not contented with the draw and go looking for the win, they may be sensing the tiredness of the home side. Chances are created at both ends with substitutes breaking the flow of the game . Boro dig deep with Mark Jones captain for the day creating most things for Boro. Boro play starts to become predictable as legs tire , the ball up to Roscoe is now being picked off by the two centre backs and scrappy play ensues. Oates is replaced with Brookes just after the hour. Lancaster are trying but find the resilence of the boro back line too hard. The game with fresher legs surely would have been Boros. The chances are still arriving for boro but quality service behind the last man is needed. Free kicks are wasted in good positions. Griff Jones pulls up after a shot on goal , the move supplied by the captain. Griff leaves the field after a hard weeks running and Rutter is introduced. Brookes and Rutter are the fittest now but show some ring rust when in good positions. The game is a fair draw at the end of 90 minutes but so could have easily been a win. The now very thin squad have worked extremely hard over the last week and deserve thier recent improved results. Competition for places is always healthy and with a few games to go yet including a cup final Boro will need to be at thier best. Next weeks game will be a big test.

see you there

Paul.

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