Resolutions Please!

It was a cold Boxing day crowd of 144 that endured the serving up of a home performance that did little to warm any bodies hands. Lee Unsworth and Si Kelly return to the back four with a debutant on the bench named Kieren Fletcher a central defender and former Chorley captain. Referee Kavanagh gets the game going and Roscoe shows first in a crunching tackle that leaves him injured but frees up Griff Jones to set off on a purposeful run towards goal, he can't find a gap and the move ends . Roscoe returns to his feet after treatment and continues. The red of Rossendale are closing players well to restrict Radcliffes football to the midfield. Boro have half chances in the first fifteen with little response from United . Dawson goes into the book for tripping the attacker who takes up the ball after Si Kellys pass doesn't reach Fitzpatrick. Rossendale push forward from the free kick and force a corner taken by Turner it clears the defence and is missed by Priestley who relies on Owen Roberts who clears from under the bar. The ball is moved quickly up field the best pass finds Mark Jones in the box who shapes and shoots to pull a good save out of Proctor who pushes the ball past his left post for the corner. The corner is tailor made for the rising Craig Dawson who heads the ball true past the keeper to make it 1-0 on 17 minutes and put himself at the top of the Boro goalscoring chart with 5 so far. Griff Jones persistant play opens up a chance for Fitzpatrick who turns and shoots, the ball deflects high and with the sting gone the keeper collects easily. The visitors captain John turner turns well in midfield to play in Phil Eastwood who curls a shot tamely past Boro's right hand upright on 20 minutes. Boro have the chance to double the lead when Dawson takes control and sends a long ball up field to Griff Jones finding the keeper a long way outbeats him to the ball and with him out of position unbalance strikes at goal from the edge of the box , the defender clears in the six yard box. Boro are looking to extend the lead when Roberts plays the ball down the left flank to Roscoe on half way he quickly finds Griff Jones who just cant control. Griff Jones works hard across the box to play in Roscoe on the left wing he elects to shoot when Fitzpatrick waiting would have been the better option. Roscoe crosses better minutes later to find Mark Jones whos volleyed pass doesn't find a team mate. Rossendale realise Boro are not taking chances and start to have a belief they can gain something from the game. United spot a good run between the Boro centre halves by Tom Williams who stretches but can only get a toe on the ball for an easy save for Priestley. Williams is involved again when is flick in the box finds Eastwood who can't finish when placed well. The last ten minutes of the half belong to the reds with a flurry of attacking moves with both full backs getting more involved. Turner comes close sending a shot 2 yards past the post. Full back Heywood attacks the box without a challenge and is allowed to shoot but sees it fly high above the bar. A free kick awarded to United sees their captain strike against the Boro wall who hold well before Roberts clears the danger.Boro take it forward with a good move started by Roberts and ended by him with a return pass by Roscoe he shoots weakly past the post. Rossendale have been knocking and the door opens on the stroke of half time, Heywood supplies a good cross that Williams connects well to bring a fine save by Boro's number one, it falls into the path of Clarkson who strikes , Priestley can only parry and Tom Williams is on hand to thrash the ball into the top of the net from the foot of the post 1-1 on 45 minutes. The interval is a welcome as the visitors grew in confidence and looked better as the half went on.
Griff Jones takes up the ball when Fitzpatrick can not control, he shoots harmlessly over to see another chance go. Roscoe flicks on to Griff Jones who plays in Fitzpatrick who shoots wide across goal. Graham Vaughan supplies a good cross that Brockley defends well , Rossendale are looking lively with Williams being the obvious threat with his ability to break at speed, he shows it on 55 when he as Priestley diving to his left to keep his low shot out, the ball is left invitingly for Zach Clark to drill the ball into the net and take his side into the lead. Boro make a change with Fitzpatrick unable to repeat his form of Monday night replaced Steve Howson. Quick breaks from Rossendale are forming the pattern of the game with Boro pushing to equalize. Dawson is required to be on his game after priestley smothers the ball well in a one to one with Clark, the united number 7 is lucky in the roll of the ball and is nearly in, dawson keeps his head to clear. Howson wins a corner after a long ball plays him in on the hour. The corner as no threat.Both sides are creating half chances but both require a better quality in the final ball. Boro have the greater possesion in the last quarter of the game with United playing a good counter attacking game that Boro need to keep tight reign on. Griff Jones is replaced by Michael Oates on 71. Rossendale look to break at every oppurtunity and do so with purpose on 75 minutes , Boro pause for the offside to be given, Tom Williams doesn't and finds room to pass in field to the waiting winger Graham Vaughan who side foots cleanly into the Boro goal for 3-1 . The red team are defending well that matches thier attacking game and it will be difficult for the home side to recover. With time running away Boro get chances through howson who should have scored with only the keeper to beat as a long clearance found him well. Michael Oates is rusty in front of goal and can not convert chances given to him in the box. With Kelly and Dawson in a more advance position they look the most likely to convert a chance. Mark Jones is fouled 25 yards out central to goal, Drew steps up to take and strikes it well past the wall , it is bound for the bottom corner before Williams gets a boot to it to clear for the corner. The corner comes in and is not cleared, the ball wont drop for Oates and is then cleared. Opportunities come the Boro way but some poor decision making with the final ball lets them down. Kieren Fletcher is introduced for Roscoe and he sits in Kellys place for him to move forward for the last 15 minutes. All the play is in the visitors last third but the hosts do not look likely to score and are being shut out well, united nearly make it four on ninety when priestley hits the ball against substitute Watson , it kindly goes for the goal kick. Rossendale use time to sub Eastwood for Dunnan before the final attack from Boro sees Mark Jones produce some good work to feed Howson who trys the shot, the keeper is strong and saves , and then again from Oates. A dissapointing home defeat after taking the early lead, Boro didnt take chances , the visitors did and it as become the common thread when reporting on home games. It is the time of year when we all make resolutions, a few for boro........
React quickly to oppurtunities
Make decisions early
Think quality with the last ball
Believe in your own ability

Dont let a centre half be the clubs top scorer come May! Shake the hands of Salford, we would be in trouble without them!
With the 27 players being used so far this season we need to find the right formula soon, the table below does not lie.

A safe, prosperous and happy new year to you all.

14	Curzon Ashton	16	7	4	5	27	15	12	25
15	Rossendale United	17	5	5	7	20	28	-8	20
16	Woodley Sports	19	6	2	11	27	38	-11	20
17	Chorley	20	5	4	11	29	41	-12	19
18	Radcliffe Borough	19	5	2	12	21	32	-11	17
19	Warrington Town	18	3	6	9	20	31	-11	15
20	Harrogate Railway Athletic	20	4	2	14	23	41	-18	14
21	Salford City	18	1	3	14	17	63	-46	6

Away day brace for Fitzy!

Reporting on a victory is of course always easier, the pen flows as you remember the football served up, the passes made and the goals scored, sad then there as not been many this season thus far to report on, however a spare pen is at hand after seeing Boro destroy a team one league notch above within 30 enjoyable minutes. The game as taken some time to come and it was a far kinder winters night than we had at Squires Gate in the last round. Leigh saw off Atherton Colls here at Stainton in the last round so it was a home tie for them. Playing up hill with a number of changes notably Tom Brookes at right mid and a sparce dug out hosting Howson & Manning.Boro showed early attacking intentions with a flowing move through the park involving Mark Jones , fitzpatrick and Griff Jones ending in Fitzys intended pass just not reaching the advancing Mark Drew on the edge of the box. Quickly Boro come again with Brooks starting the attack, he finds Fitzy well who delays before calmly pushing the ball inside the left back, Griff Jones coming in from the flank is just offside. The next wave of football arrives through a long punt up field that sees Leighs pearson mis judge, Fitzy eye on the ball doesnt, waits for the drop and steers it passed the hand of the diving keeper, the net ripples and its 1-0 the Boro with only 5 gone. Fitzpatrick is having the upper hand in the opening quarter. Roscoe is proving a handful and his first of many flick ons finds Fitzy who beats his man and looks at goal before the ref pulls it back for the foul. Boro fans have only 5 minutes to wait before they see a superb Mark Jones pass into the feet of Roscoe who attacks the box and when the keeper closes he rounds him well and shoots to see the left back Rodgers clear off the line, the ball lands nicely for Fitzpatrick who as the simplest of tasks for 2-0! Mark Jones on a typically confident run loses control of the ball and lunges, he collides with Parkinson, no malice just commitment, the ref agrees but as a word. Boro are committed in the tackle all over the park, the Leigh bench deliver loudly unnecessary questioning of the Boro players footballing qualities. Pure frustration due to Genesis simply having yet to turn up for the game.Mark Drew delivers the type of pass that will make him a favourite to find Oates he tees up Fitzy who wins the corner from his blocked shot. Up steps Dawson who heads superbly bringing a fine save from Porter in the Leigh goal. Brooks sharing the midfield with Mark Jones looks comfortable and helps set up Drew for a shot that goes down the throat of the keeper. Leigh have some respite as they win a free kick on the edge of the Boro box, they don't generate a threat , winning the ball back Parkinson as a good shot blocked by the boro centre half and should have won the corner, the ref gives it Radcliffes way. Leigh a league notch above cannot match Boro as they look threatening every time they cross half way.Oates and Fitzy working well in the corner allows Oates to deliver a lofted cross, the keeper climbs to collect but fumbles dropping the ball at the feet of Roscoe who alive taps the ball over the line 3 in 33 minutes, Christmas as come early! Leigh cannot believe the mountain they need to climb. Roscoe looks a better player when the ball is played into his feet and as the ability to beat players or set the ball well for advancing midfielders, Fitpatrick is benefiting from his aerial ability as is the rejuvenated Griff Jones. Leigh are limited to a few sniffs inside their opponents half whilst Boro are inventive and getting benefit from the two newest faces at the club. The half as gone by quickly and the last of the action is Griff Jones moving to the bye line supplied by the feet of Roscoe , his cross is blocked , the corner cleared and the dressing room looking inviting for the lads from Leigh. The second half starts as the first with Griff Jones ripping up the left flank played in by Fitzy he shoots early across the face of goal, relief for Leigh as it goes wide. The back four look focused and patiently assist balls into attacking areas, Dawson lends an hand to the attack after a corner is won and would have scored only for a better connection when well placed. Boro scythe through the Leigh midfield on 55 minutes and leave Leigh ball watching as they can only admire the Boro players passing and placement. It seems to be the wake up call they need as they start to play with the hour approaching Jordan Barnes plays in Phil Marsh playing on the shoulder of Brockley, Dawson assists and as the keeper advances Marsh goes down in the box, the ref gives the penalty but no cards. Marsh takes it and hits the left post , the ball pings out to Marsh who strikes the ball against Priestley as it rebounds back to him he pokes it over the line and in for 3-1. At the other end Roscoe volleys in but is clearly offside. Leigh are better and Marsh is the main threat, he cuts in from the left and as Priestley holding on to a good shot. Boro start to rush and the natural flow in the first half is slipping away. Good work on the right by Marsh and Chetcuti leaves Marsh to cross the ball is half cleared and falls well for full back Rogers who strikes the ball well across the grass from 25 yards the ball stings the fingers of Priestley and spins strangely back passed his arm and over the line for a second comeback goal to Leigh. Howson takes up centre half as brockley leaves the field. Radcliffe are playing well and Brooks as shown some intelligent passing, he links with Griff Jones who serves it back to him, he balloons the shot over the bar from a good position. Barnes leaves for Leigh with Thacker joining the game. Griff Jones as taken the game to Leigh and he skips passed his marker before being felled, he looks a different player in the role behind. Leigh look better than any other point in the game and will need to be marshaled well in the last ten. Griff Jones again skins his marker this time plays inside to Fitzy who turns well and shoots in the box for a good save. Radcliffe have built play well and continue with no final punch for the remainder of the game, a whirlwind first half would be hard to better, they have created much throughout but needed to defend the last two minutes as Leigh sent panic across the terraces when two good crosses are not dealt with. Oates takes it to the corner up field and helps see the exciting game out. A great result , more pleasing for me was the manner in which we played. The team played well notably Drew , Griff Jones , Fitzpatrick & Roscoe, Brooks is on the rails and improving fast.

I hope santa brings me a faster pen, the seasons second half will be a good un,

season greetings

Pain four Boro!

Boro fielded two debutants in left back Steve Brockley and midfielder Mark Drew. The visitors from Yorkshire FC Halifax Town, who fielded League Cup winning goalscorer Nigel Jemson the experienced journeyman. A fantastic following had travelled over the pennines to add a real buzz about the ground,the game starts in dark, damp conditions with drizzling rain making the surface quick.
It is obvious Brockley will be in for a tough debut as full back Cavell Coo shows his intentions to get forward at every chance. Brockley is block tackled well by Ashley Stott defending from the front but minutes later Brockley shows his steel by returning an equally impressive tackle. The game is set up as a real battle. First attempt goes to the Shayman when Damien Allen tees up Scott Phelan to drive one down the throat of Phil Priestley who holds confidently.Within a minute Coo goes by Brockley to cross in near post that is met by Craig Dawson to clear and concede the corner. Halifax are charged up and look dangerous. The linesman saves Boro by giving offside against Stott when the impressive Coo finds him in space. Adam Roscoe relieves early pressure by holding the ball well under close marking and feeds the ball to Griff Jones out wide , he as Lee Unsworth to hand who plays in Brockley advancing and hits the ball high and wide. Damien Allen is the first in the book on 9 minutes for not retiring 10 for a Boro free kick. The free kick sees Boro bounce the ball around the box taking ricochets as nobody can take control the ball is cleared leaving Si Kelly needing treatment. The mass of Halifax fans in the stand scream for a penalty as Dawson tackles well in the box to deny the Yorkshiremen. Boro have done well to take the sting out of the halifax threat and settle to play some good football to feet, Drew demonstrates some skill before being fouled out wide of the visitors box. He picks himself up and takes a testing free kick that the keeper John Kennedy takes well. Halifax over confidently move the ball across thier backs and lose the ball to Adam Roscoe who works hard to find space and as the lights flicker on Roscoe sees the gap and despatches his shot wide of Kennedy silencing the travelling fans on 23 minutes. Halifax respond and grasp a chance when Paul Gedmans deft touch sets up Allen who rounds Dawson but cannot find power in his shot. Roscoe continues his role of holding and feeding as he finds the feet of Unsworth who crosses perfectly toward Griff Jones who is beaten to the header, just. Mark Jones supplies the tackle of the game to retieve the ball in midfield but can,t set up a move. Halifax pick up the pace on the half hour. Good defensive work by Dawson and Kelly keep the attackers at bay. The game remains competitive, Drew as been committed but the ref says two previous tackles are enough and puts him in the book. Griff Jones takes up the ball and sets off on a good run ending in a cross that is defended well, he as had a good half and looks lively. Halifax are a quality side and they show why on 39 minutes , Jemson takes a quick free kick down the line to Coo who unchallenged plays in Allen his pass to the edge of the box allows Tom Baker to wallop a hard dipping shot from 25 yards over the planted Priestley to level the game. The fans have hardly stopped celebrating when Town come again down the same flank the Boro defence can only force the ball across the box in an attempt to clear , Paul Collins is waiting and brilliantly moves the ball around the advancing Priestley , picks his spot and gives his team the lead on 43 minutes, a blow to Boro just before the break. Boro will need more in the second half to restrain the visitors.
Griff Jones is replaced by Michael Oates for the second half. Halifax start as they finished the first half and force the first corner although defended well Phelan keeps the ball alive so that Allen can release the shot. Boro are struggling to get out of thier own half and are limited to playing in midfield. Debutant Drew brings down Damien Allen just inside the box leaving referee Durbin no choice but to point to the spot. Ashley Stott strikes the ball passes Priestley with a perfectly placed penalty kick 3-1, 57 minutes gone. The game is effectively over with little threat to the visitors goal , Jemson with all his experience as controlled his colleagues with encouragement and purpose. Gedman and Stott move with real purpose and they streak forward within minutes of the third, Gedman sends the ball wide to Stott who picks out the return pass toPaul Gedman who in full flight connects perfectly to volley passed the despairing Priestley. 4-1 59 minutes gone, game over. The scoreline could have become worse but Radcliffe did not lie down and produced some good football to keep some pride. Howson replaced Drew and he was in the thick of it straight away winning a free kick. Roscoe steps up and sends a great kick narrowly wide of the post. Jon Smith is on for Halifax with Allen leaving. Howson after some great Radcliffe football turns in the box shoots ad brings a greta save from Kennedy. Sustitutes by both sides towards the end of the game see Brookes on for Forrest, Hinsley on for the impressive Coo. Boro keep up the pride saving attitude and push for a consolation , Halifax remain dangerous. Jemson gives Howson a chance when he pushes him in the back in the box, penalty!, he takes the kick to Kennedys right and the keeper saves well. Tom Brookes should have got a home second when after another spell of good football finds himself with an empty net to hit from 5 yards , he sums up the afternoon and pushes the ball over. Fitzpatrick is the next to come close when a combination of Roscoe and Howson leaves him sprinting to meet the cross at the far post , he is inches short and the chance goes. The result would have been fairer at 4 -2 , but taking nothing away from Halifax they earned the victory through positive play.It was a great game of football and showed Boro can play good football against the top half teams. With the introduction of two new faces at Stainton Park competition for places will be good, players need to fight for thier places and produce on the day. Monday night may be the oppurtunity to get back to winning ways, the club need it soon.

see you Monday.