Cup Conceded

Radcliffe Borough entertain Trafford as they will be looking to defend the trophy that stands proud in the trophy room. The trophy was magnificently won at Oldhams Boundary Park against favourites Hyde United last season. Recent cup form will require an upturn if Boro are to hold on to the Manchester FA Premier Cup.Trafford are delayed in kicking off as the corner flags are not in place, a firework is thrown over the stand and i hope the flags are not on the local bommy. Mark Jones is named as captain in the absence of Si Kelly. Boro line up as 5-3-2 with Sampson and Oates in high wider positions. It is good to see that Adam Roscoe as made the bench. The game gets under way and Trafford move forward first with some intent , the ball from Coppin to Lundy is just too long and runs to Priestley.The first five minutes belong to the visitors as they shape a corner that is headed wide from a near post position by Lundy. A deflected shot bound for the target is their next foray and when Unsworth gives a gift to the Trafford midfield the ball is set up for Wilkinson to drive into the box, as he is closed down he trys the chip but offers no real threat. Passing is inconsistent for both sides until on 12 minutes Trafford find the feet of Barnes who shoots quickly catching Priestley out he dives late to tip the ball for a corner, the first of three that are dealt with. Boro get the ball moving after 20 minutes with more purpose. Howson holding up well brings midfield into play Battersby moves the ball across the field well before it is cleared to Sampson, he delivers in well for Oates to send back across goal, Chappell finds the header but not the power or direction to worry the keeper. Some better football being played after 25 minutes of nearlys and not quites. Battersby as had a long chat with the ref, shortly afterwards the visitors appeal for the penalty as Wes Wilkinson goes down like a tramp on a kipper in the boro box, he was nudged but the referee Ogden is happy to wave away. Unsworth & Dawson go long to look for Howson, Oates is at the end of one but the race is won by Rooney the Trafford keeper , he heads clear from outside his box. Sampson looking lively after his recent injury links well with Chappell around the Trafford box and are unlucky not to benefit. Mark Jones workhorse mentality shows as he moves the ball across the centre circle inviting others to join in , he chooses a switch to Sampson who is looking a threat high right of the field. The ball is cleared and Mark Jones starts again and repeats the move this time Sampson works a great position but mis hits the shot across the box and out. Mackay of Trafford is pushed down Boro's left flank and is heading for goal Sampson shadows him well and forces him to shoot unbalanced, the ball flys over the stand. Steve Hill acts as a barn door as he cynically blocks the threatening run of Wilkinson, hill sees yellow. As the resulting free kick leads to nothing the ball is played clean through for Wilkinson who as Priestley to beat, Priestley stands strong and beats the chance away, great save. Trafford are pushing and are unlucky when Mackays cross sees Halligan head wide. Dawson is starting to look like Boros best attacking option as he finds himself on the end of two glorious chances to take the lead , the keeper is good for one and he thanks lady luck for the other. The game as opened up in the last 15 . Mark Jones tracking back across his box fouls the attacker, they take quickly before Boro set and the quick shot is saved and gathered well by Priestley. The ref adds two minutes and Dawson is called to action to stem the last chance of the half. Boro are lacking up front and any threat is coming from set pieces and defenders getting forward.

Teams remain the same as the second half gets under way. The home side are asked to defend first and do the task well, controlled passing between Unsworth Oates and Mark Jones sees the ball safe, Dawson again tackles perfectly on the edge of the box, defending is a strength of the team. Boro spend the first 15 of the half only clearing to the half way line. Nothing is sticking in the last third and comes back quickly. Dawson is the threat again when Battersby sends the free kick long for Dawson to be in the right place but uses the defender to climb. Foul given.Barnes in yellow plays in Wilkinson with a great touch in midfield as he races for the box Chappell brings him down , the free kick is smashes at the wall and deflects for a corner. The corner results in a foul on Priestley. Battersby shows a chink in his armour as too much chat after being warned in the first half gets him in the book. Battersby will be missed and another conjuring act by Kevin & Gerry will have to be performed. Sampson delivers a good cross for the head of Dawson who heads just over the bar. When Trafford panic boro on the edge of the box Hill lunges at Wilkinson and the free kick is given . Mackay lines the ball up in front of the assembled wall. The wall, Priestley are onlookers as the ball flys with curl into the top left of the net, wonderful strike. 1-0 64 gone. Once Traffords celebrations finish they double sub with Wilkinson & Hall replaced with Barlow & Woodford. The blues react with a great ball in from Hill , Dawson again meets well and heads to the foot of the post forcing a great save by the keeper to send for a corner. The unproductive duo of Howson and Griff Jones are replaced by Roscoe and Traynor. Howson and Jones G are not firing and some way off last years form, i dont know the answer but the team needs them on song. The pack is shuffled with the Boro going to a straight 4-4-2 ,Hill coming into the centre and Sampson & Unsworth going to full back positions. Traynor sits central and Oates partners Roscoe up front. Trafford are happy to pick up any player making a run and find the nippy Barlow who can only shoot wide across goal. Roscoe gets his first touch and shields well and wins a free kick ,the combination of Battersby to Dawson is used again but the defence wins this time. Manning enters he game for Chappell as the last 15 arrives. Barlow is at it again in the Boro half as the ball comes over is head and the chase is on , he is unlucky when in the box as the ball hits his knee and rolls to Priestley. Oates is looking lively with his switch from back to front and he wins the corner after attempting the cross. The corner as Unsworth heading on goal Keeper palms it onto Oates who bravely heads just wide and collides with the post, very close. The captain for the night Jones goes down in the centre circle with what looks like a twisted ankle , he plays on after treatment. Roscoe shows and looks like he could be an handfull with games under his belt. Trafford are still looking for the second and nearly get it after good work by Lundy who lays up Barlow his chip lands on the top of the bar and out. Boro push but with little threat , Trafford see barlow free again but he chooses the wrong option. The visitors Coppin is replaced by Metcalfe. Trafford use the two minutes added on and should have sealed it as Lundy pokes wide of goal with nobody to beat. Boro made a poor show of defending the cup they won last year, the substitutions added spark to the side but they usually do as subs always have a point to make. The defence look strong and have been beaten by a fantastic set piece. Midfield scrap but struggle to master and the forwards look sluggish and deprived of service. The last few weeks have been a hard slog for a small squad and injuries have caused a lot of pack shuffling. Financial magic wands are not available and we will be reliant on Kevin using trusted contacts to show up any potential gems. I will be there on Saturday because i believe we have the talent in the squad, I was impressed with the warm up conducted by Mike Flynn and would love to see more of him at the club.

see you Saturday.