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.