"I bet these fancy premiership foreigners would struggle at Grimsby on a wet Tuesday night" bemoan many a pundit and league manager alike. My challenge to them would be visit Squires Gate on a wet Tuesday night and come away with a win! The Cup competitions have haunted Radcliffe this season in stark contrast from last season. Tonight was last chance of 'cup glory' saloon. The ground in Blackpool is tidy and neat, the pitch considering the recent downpours was in prime condition and testament to the hardworking groundsmen. A cup of hot tea kept me company as I took up my position between the dugouts. The teams emerged and met a deluge of rain. Boro playing in black and red stripes started the better and spent the first ten probing the defensive backline of the hosts. Oates sends the first tempting cross in and Tom Philips spoons the ball over his own bar for a corner. The result is a scrambled clearance that is worked back by Boro it settles for Neil Chappell who from 22 yards hits it goalbound, it swirls and dips and nestles in the opponents net with the keeper bemused 1-0 , 2 in 2 for Chappers. The goal wakes the team in blue up and they get to grips with the conditions and try to play. Steve Howson attempts to play his support in but the ball goes passed and finds Squires Bennett who in turn finds Andy Richards (rico) in space his shot goes narrowly wide. Lee Connell soon follows in Howsons footsteps and is left holding his head as he frees Marc Beattie to shoot wide. Within minutes Boro respond with some slick passing in midfield that brings in both Samson & Oates. This standard of passing and probing will kill the North West Counties side off , Mark Jones leads the way and it would prove to be an easy game if only the men in the middle trusted thier ability, even on a filthy night. The next 15 sees Boro largely dominate with relief for the hosts when a good freekick finds the head of Cram who heads wide from a good position. The final ball cant be found by Boro and when they fall back the ball is on the left edge of Priestleys box when Rico hits a strong left footer that screams at goal, the ball hangs and dips in the air, but it hits target ,bang 1-1. Howson within minutes is working hard to find a gap on the edge of the box, Philips comes through him and the free kick is given. The lively Fitzpatrick is having this one and lines up his shot. His aim is true and a sweet left foot curls the ball into the angle of the net, great response 2-1. The end comes to a close with a half chance to Squires , the ref blows and the players wet and windswept hope the urn is hot.
The tea must of been enjoyed by Howson who doesnt come out and is replaced by Griff Jones. Howsons play looks frustrated which i believe is a sign of a player who is desperate for it to happen , quality comes to the top and Howson will fire again. The first test is for Priestley to hold the slippy ball and he does. The blues have a spring in thier step and look eager for the result. Adam Roscoe joins the weather beaten for Fitzpatrick and his early touches and passing looks positive. Boro are at it again , this time Chappells wayward pass as Kelly saving his blushes. Roscoe displays his holding technique and plays Oates in well , his snap shot is too high. Squires gate freshen the team with a double sub bringing on Catlow and Muscroft. Manning is on for the Boro and Chappell hits the hot shower. Mannings first real touch plays Roscoe in on the edge he runs for the byeline and looks for the six yard box, he is shadowed well and a promising move halts.The hosts double subs are combining well and when Catlow lets fly Priestley turns for a corner. Two come in the latter is a pinpoint cross to the head of Muscroft unchallenged in the six yard box, easy 2-2. Mr Evans may need to administer an injection of concentration from his medical bag!The home sides tails are up and they look to win the game, a corner is won that Priestley punches out to Roscoe who picks a great pass long to Sampson but the chance goes begging. Manning his using his throw ins well to gain ground down the left and when he delivers a cross Kelly is agonisingly short of meeting it. Another cross arrives in and looked a certain goal befor the hosts centre half clears from under his bar. The blues are gaining in confidence and believe they can win it , the whistle goes to send the teams into a further 30 minutes. Within 3 of the restart Boro get out of Jail when a great goal is ruled out for offside. The lino made the decision after the ref had indicated a goal, a lucky let off. The response is the best bit of the game when Oates endeavours on the flank and finds Griff Jones whos rapid pass into the near post is met and steered into the net by Roscoe, is first of many for the club. 3-2 the visitors. The concentration syringe needs to be full and used after the game. The 40 yard ball into the box to find the smallest man on the park should have been dealt with it wasnt and Stuart Horn finishes easily. 3-3!
The game opens up as the win is needed and either side could do it, a deflection that hits a post nearly gifts it to Boro. The hosts are not giving it up and i feel we need the whistle.
The whistle it is and time for Penalties.
Boro
1. Roscoe - saved
2 Oates - saved
3 G Jones - scores
4 M Jones -scores
5 Connell - Scores
Squires gate score the first two the 3rd is missed a wonder save by Priestley to his right and a further miss sets up Manning to seal it.
A young man steps up and .............bang he wins it!!
A win is a win and the next round is in the bag, a dogged hard working game by Squires gate nearly spoiled it , it didnt and i will be asking who is going to the next wet Tuesday night to see real footballers grin and bear it.
see you there.
The tea must of been enjoyed by Howson who doesnt come out and is replaced by Griff Jones. Howsons play looks frustrated which i believe is a sign of a player who is desperate for it to happen , quality comes to the top and Howson will fire again. The first test is for Priestley to hold the slippy ball and he does. The blues have a spring in thier step and look eager for the result. Adam Roscoe joins the weather beaten for Fitzpatrick and his early touches and passing looks positive. Boro are at it again , this time Chappells wayward pass as Kelly saving his blushes. Roscoe displays his holding technique and plays Oates in well , his snap shot is too high. Squires gate freshen the team with a double sub bringing on Catlow and Muscroft. Manning is on for the Boro and Chappell hits the hot shower. Mannings first real touch plays Roscoe in on the edge he runs for the byeline and looks for the six yard box, he is shadowed well and a promising move halts.The hosts double subs are combining well and when Catlow lets fly Priestley turns for a corner. Two come in the latter is a pinpoint cross to the head of Muscroft unchallenged in the six yard box, easy 2-2. Mr Evans may need to administer an injection of concentration from his medical bag!The home sides tails are up and they look to win the game, a corner is won that Priestley punches out to Roscoe who picks a great pass long to Sampson but the chance goes begging. Manning his using his throw ins well to gain ground down the left and when he delivers a cross Kelly is agonisingly short of meeting it. Another cross arrives in and looked a certain goal befor the hosts centre half clears from under his bar. The blues are gaining in confidence and believe they can win it , the whistle goes to send the teams into a further 30 minutes. Within 3 of the restart Boro get out of Jail when a great goal is ruled out for offside. The lino made the decision after the ref had indicated a goal, a lucky let off. The response is the best bit of the game when Oates endeavours on the flank and finds Griff Jones whos rapid pass into the near post is met and steered into the net by Roscoe, is first of many for the club. 3-2 the visitors. The concentration syringe needs to be full and used after the game. The 40 yard ball into the box to find the smallest man on the park should have been dealt with it wasnt and Stuart Horn finishes easily. 3-3!
The game opens up as the win is needed and either side could do it, a deflection that hits a post nearly gifts it to Boro. The hosts are not giving it up and i feel we need the whistle.
The whistle it is and time for Penalties.
Boro
1. Roscoe - saved
2 Oates - saved
3 G Jones - scores
4 M Jones -scores
5 Connell - Scores
Squires gate score the first two the 3rd is missed a wonder save by Priestley to his right and a further miss sets up Manning to seal it.
A young man steps up and .............bang he wins it!!
A win is a win and the next round is in the bag, a dogged hard working game by Squires gate nearly spoiled it , it didnt and i will be asking who is going to the next wet Tuesday night to see real footballers grin and bear it.
see you there.
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