The West Yorkshire visitors came to Radcliffe on the back of a strong final league position of 6th . Radcliffe hoping to banish opening day losses had the confidence of a fantastic cup final win and a fighting mentality that secured unibond status. New boss Gerry Luczka had managed to keep the squad together and make some very promising additions.
Both teams looked eager to get the game up and running during the warm up period , the sun was out for a change and the pitch looked in good health. The enthusiastic tannoy man gave out the teams with a few changes for the Boro. Howson missing through injury, Forrest & the ever steady Flynn of last year on the bench, three other subs also named, great to see such a strong bench that bears well for the season. Rutter had a strong pre season and must of been dissapointed not to start. Unsworth gets his debut and a welcome return for Heald on the team sheet at left back.
Ossett kicked off in thier gold and black kit with Boro going up hill. Early pressure came from Boro down the left through a determined run and effort by Oats, a tidy save low down by the visitors Bennett after 4 minutes looked like Boro had the upper hand. Ossett looked untidy in the first 10 minutes with some openings for Boro that lead to nothing. The game turned with two corners in succession for Ossett on 16 minutes after enjoying some good play down the left. From the second corner Boro broke well and found Connell and Mark Jones linking well ,Connell held to long for the pass to the well positioned Oats. With the Ossett dugout screaming encouragement and instruction both Hopkins and Catton had too much grass in front of them down the Boro left and always looked likely to punish Heald who was struggling to recruit help from Waine. Free kicks had been won by both sides with the only outcome being victories to the walls set up by both defence. A blocked shot from each side kept the scores level . Ossett took advantage again of a weak left side when Parker linked well with Catton to bring a save from Hall clearing with his feet. Two tasty tackles a few feet apart sees Ossett get benefit to the annoyance of Mark Jones who argues his point . An indesisive ref and assistant allowed Ossett a throw that was taken long and a powerful looping header by Shane Kelsey settled in the bottom of the Boro net with Hall stranded. Unsworth and Dawson had fell asleep, although they had looked steady as a central pair that will improve given games.
An instant response from Boro that had some great approach work but no end product. Ossett came again down the left with Heald struggling to contend with a winger and an attacking full back throughout the half ,he cut across the sprinting attacker and the penalty was given by Mr Hutchison on 40 minutes.
Kelsey steps up and despaches a great penalty. 2-0. Boro went back at Ossett with Connell being in a good position but found another avenue blocked.Ossett were on top now and looked certian to break effectively towards goal before Dawson with little options but to foul and get a card for his actions in the centre circle. Just over a minute was played extra before the first half closed.
No subs at the start of the second half which saw Boro starting well with some bullish work by Griff Jones freeing himself from his marker and Oats making good runs, again no end product. A series of free kicks and corners did little to inspire from both sides. Defences were on top with any openings having to be worked hard for. The Ossett captain Utley recieved treatment whilst his side attacked , he would be a loss as he marshalled the back four well and always gave encouragement to his fellow defenders. Osset swap a player Dickenson off and Lee Jones on. Shortly after Ossetts Parker crosses to put Hall under pressure who is fouled by Kelsey , with the ball in the net the ref disallows and books Kelsey for his effort.
Just passed the hour mark Boro use the long ball to no effect and continue to do so missing out Mark Jones who as been involved in most things all afternoon.Chappell and Brookes replace Oates and Waine. The game is at stalemate with Ossett looking happy to finish it 2-0.
Kelsey a problem all afternoon breaks to shoot wide before Ossett sub Seed for Sadler . Both managers try to liven the game up Boro bring on Rutter replacing Dawson and bringing Kelly across. Parker goes off for Ossett and on comes Ryan. Ossett look the more likely to score with a poor decision by the ref when a saved shot is not given as a corner. The game ends with the 140 plus fans wondering when the first game of the season will bring three points. On this showing Boro looked promising at times with the lack of Howsons power up front evident. Heald worked hard and deserved my Boro man of the match award for pure enthusiasm in what was a difficult game for him against the games man of the match, the impressive attacking full back Hopkins from Ossett.
How will Gerry fix it for Tuesday? More games together and luck in the fitness stakes will see Boro a strong defensive outfit, but attacks score goals any defence will crack under pressure.
Both teams looked eager to get the game up and running during the warm up period , the sun was out for a change and the pitch looked in good health. The enthusiastic tannoy man gave out the teams with a few changes for the Boro. Howson missing through injury, Forrest & the ever steady Flynn of last year on the bench, three other subs also named, great to see such a strong bench that bears well for the season. Rutter had a strong pre season and must of been dissapointed not to start. Unsworth gets his debut and a welcome return for Heald on the team sheet at left back.
Ossett kicked off in thier gold and black kit with Boro going up hill. Early pressure came from Boro down the left through a determined run and effort by Oats, a tidy save low down by the visitors Bennett after 4 minutes looked like Boro had the upper hand. Ossett looked untidy in the first 10 minutes with some openings for Boro that lead to nothing. The game turned with two corners in succession for Ossett on 16 minutes after enjoying some good play down the left. From the second corner Boro broke well and found Connell and Mark Jones linking well ,Connell held to long for the pass to the well positioned Oats. With the Ossett dugout screaming encouragement and instruction both Hopkins and Catton had too much grass in front of them down the Boro left and always looked likely to punish Heald who was struggling to recruit help from Waine. Free kicks had been won by both sides with the only outcome being victories to the walls set up by both defence. A blocked shot from each side kept the scores level . Ossett took advantage again of a weak left side when Parker linked well with Catton to bring a save from Hall clearing with his feet. Two tasty tackles a few feet apart sees Ossett get benefit to the annoyance of Mark Jones who argues his point . An indesisive ref and assistant allowed Ossett a throw that was taken long and a powerful looping header by Shane Kelsey settled in the bottom of the Boro net with Hall stranded. Unsworth and Dawson had fell asleep, although they had looked steady as a central pair that will improve given games.
An instant response from Boro that had some great approach work but no end product. Ossett came again down the left with Heald struggling to contend with a winger and an attacking full back throughout the half ,he cut across the sprinting attacker and the penalty was given by Mr Hutchison on 40 minutes.
Kelsey steps up and despaches a great penalty. 2-0. Boro went back at Ossett with Connell being in a good position but found another avenue blocked.Ossett were on top now and looked certian to break effectively towards goal before Dawson with little options but to foul and get a card for his actions in the centre circle. Just over a minute was played extra before the first half closed.
No subs at the start of the second half which saw Boro starting well with some bullish work by Griff Jones freeing himself from his marker and Oats making good runs, again no end product. A series of free kicks and corners did little to inspire from both sides. Defences were on top with any openings having to be worked hard for. The Ossett captain Utley recieved treatment whilst his side attacked , he would be a loss as he marshalled the back four well and always gave encouragement to his fellow defenders. Osset swap a player Dickenson off and Lee Jones on. Shortly after Ossetts Parker crosses to put Hall under pressure who is fouled by Kelsey , with the ball in the net the ref disallows and books Kelsey for his effort.
Just passed the hour mark Boro use the long ball to no effect and continue to do so missing out Mark Jones who as been involved in most things all afternoon.Chappell and Brookes replace Oates and Waine. The game is at stalemate with Ossett looking happy to finish it 2-0.
Kelsey a problem all afternoon breaks to shoot wide before Ossett sub Seed for Sadler . Both managers try to liven the game up Boro bring on Rutter replacing Dawson and bringing Kelly across. Parker goes off for Ossett and on comes Ryan. Ossett look the more likely to score with a poor decision by the ref when a saved shot is not given as a corner. The game ends with the 140 plus fans wondering when the first game of the season will bring three points. On this showing Boro looked promising at times with the lack of Howsons power up front evident. Heald worked hard and deserved my Boro man of the match award for pure enthusiasm in what was a difficult game for him against the games man of the match, the impressive attacking full back Hopkins from Ossett.
How will Gerry fix it for Tuesday? More games together and luck in the fitness stakes will see Boro a strong defensive outfit, but attacks score goals any defence will crack under pressure.
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