2 Killers in the Mist

A foggy cold November day will greet the players as they enter the field of play. Garforth Town are the visitors and start the game in a similar position to the Boro in the league. Boro need a win to keep sight of the top half of the table. The ref needs sight of the two goal posts from the half way line before the game can start. Mr Gittens is happy and Radcliffe kick off down the slope towards the Pilkington Road end. They will be missing their influential centre half Craig Dawson through injury. Adam Roscoe starts up front .
Town see the boro box when lee Connell fails to hold on to the ball in the centre circle and Garforth turn to release Dominic Blair but the ball is long and out. Boro defend in the first 5 with Michael Oates looking solid. The visitors start the game well but largely play in front of the backline. Radcliffe are in the game after Martyn Forrest supplying a good ball into the feet of Roscoe, he doesnt improve the chance but lays it up nice for Chappell he sends a great cross back in for Roscoe who meets the ball well with the head but sends it just past the angle and out. Town break well and Andrew Hayward will need to be restrained throughout as he looks the liveliest of all. Roscoe is winning everything in the air, his co- workers will not have much joy if they are not to his left or right , he will need to remain central and allow the scraps to be taken up by Chappell and Fitzpatrick. Blair is stronger than Chappell as Garforth set twice but can not find a path to goal. Si Kelly shows good composure to move the play forward and plays his way through the midfield to the edge of the visitors box, he as no outlet and the move ends. Phil priestley is handling well with crosses coming out of the foggy gloom. Jaston St Juste shows his pace and outstrips Oates and Kelly on the flank to find a good position, he crosses badly and the ball goes over the stand. Garforth are leading the charge. When Mark Jones is fouled by Blair , Sampsons free kick is too long and sums up Boro's lack of attacking ideas. Boro are playing patiently across the back to build up momentum but this often ends up with a ball launched to long by Unsworth. Mixing it up short into midfield or creeping forward looking for gaps may be an option. When it is possible to see open play it is restricted to a series of hopeful crosses and long range work that will see both sides going into the dressing rooms without chalking up any goals or clear cut chances.The only chance of note is when again playing across the back Martyn Forrest's intended pass to Unsworth is short and St Juste gathers lines up a shot that goes down the throat of Priestly. Fozzy is relieved. The half ends with the fog being the main talking point.

The second half opens with a free kick that Sampson floats on to Roscoe who heads to the keepers chest. From the club house terrace it is now very difficult to see the dugouts and following play closely is impossible. The game is now a spot the ball competition, Garforth win it and start to up their game. They are caught offside twice in five minutes and look dangerous. Roscoe wins another in the air the ball is cleared for the throw and Lee Connell picks up the loose to bring a good block out of Wilkinson on the edge of the d. Just before the hour Town half time sub Rowan is set free and drives to the edge of the boro box, he does well to get a strong shot away that Priestley matches and holds well. More action now from both sides , Garforth pressure Boro in the box and on 59 minutes Brett renshaw puts them in front with a pass into the net after a scramble in front of goal. Garforth fans warm thier hands. From the kick off they come again Kelly tests Unsworth who concedes a corner , the header just over the bar is the result. Howson joins the game for Chappell.He combines well with Sampson who sends in a cross that is cleared. Town move upfield quickly and with two good passes find Hayward on the D , he rounds Priestley easily and doubles the lead, two killer goals inside 6 minutes. Boro puff and pant but cant get the ball to move , Garforth want a clean sheet and look to get one as Boro see no sight of goal. Howson is making is mark and Roscoe continues to win in the air, but no clear cut chances to date. Fitzpatrick steps up to take a well positioned free kick on 75 minutes but hits the wall and the chance goes. The team have not played well showing little of the football we have seen so far this season. Griff Jones is introduced and as a go straight away, Oates is off and Boro need to attack. Gaforth look likely to increase the lead as Boro push. Midfield as largely been missing today with Mark Jones restricted to recovering tackles and marking rather than creating. He goes into the book harshly after he catches Nathan Kamara, who,s over the top reaction swayed the ref. Around the ground and in the clubhouse the day looked to be a success with a lot of new faces with kids accompanied by dads enjoying the best pie and peas in the unibond, the sponsors box was full , the pitch looked in great nick. It is often said success on the pitch is brought on by the efforts off it, today was not the case in what was a poor team outing, spoiled maybe by the fog it was a poor game in general. With only 5 wins from 15, out of all but one cup, a gathering of the Boro clan is needed to stay in the hunt for a top half finish. Too many players did not play to full potential today and home defeats are mounting. Salford look doomed after another heavy defeat at home today, them aside we would be in a relegation fight.

Next week is another game and being a football fan i believe it will be the start of a 15 game unbeaten run!
see you soon

A Game of cards

Todays journey is across the border of Lancashire and into Yorkshire to Station View, home of Harrogate Railway. The ground as been host to recent FA Cup success in reaching the second round in 2002 & 2007. No match of the day cameras will be at the game today. The day is surprisingly sunny and mild but it is obvious the pitch, even with its slant as been subjected to some serious downpours of late. Once the teams have shaken hands it is time to get underway with Harrogate looking for revenge on last weeks result at Stainton Park. Martyn Forrest lines up in a defensive role and all will be glad to see his return as Lee Unsworth and Mike Flynn are missing for the day. Owen Roberts returns on the left. The first action results in a corner for the rail who waste the chance and the ball is cleared well even with two pound of mud attached to each defenders boots. Roberts , Forrest and Mark Jones show the ball can still be passed well and do so with confidence. Mark Jones is unlucky not to win the tackle and Athletics Scott Ryan takes it up he sends the ball into the box with pace , it beats the defender and the diving header of Steve Smith. Second corner of the game to Harrogate and again its defended well the ball falls for the attacking side , the shot is well blocked. Early pressure from the home side is relieved by a great ball from his own half by Steve Howson to Chappell who gets bogged down but managers to play in Owen Roberts is route is cut out by the recovering Ryan. Howson defending in his own box makes good contact with the ball only to see it loop over Priestley and into the net, luckily the assistant flags off. Dawson and Kelly go under scrutiny as Rail feed in some good crosses, the defensive duo pass the test. Ryan and Smith are lively for the home side who have had the better start. Boro look to change that when Howson holds and sets up Connell to bring Sampson in from the flank he skins his opponent to send in a great ball back to Connell who well placed fires over , a promising piece of football. Kelly uses great feet to find space in his own half but his pass doesn't match his footwork and the break ends. The rail captain Riley climbs all over Fitzpatrick at the edge of the D . The fouled forward picks himself up to take the kick and narrowly sends a curling left footer just wide. Priestley hesitates and just manages to clear uncomfortably just outside his box, the ball lands for Craig Smith who scuffs a shot, Ben Jones picks up and brings a good recovery save from Priestley, although throughout the start of this campaign Phil as had a few howlers his shot stopping as been magnificent when called upon. As the half hour approaches Boro show some great neat passing in front of the dugouts, Mark Jones chests the ball under pressure and sets up neat simple passing that Rail can only watch, the ball stalls in the mud and the final ball is not found.

Enter Mr Hart of Darlington, i often give referees and assistants a miss in match reports as i believe it is about the 22 on the park, Mr Hart clearly believed he should have the limelight today. After Ryder is slightly late on Owen Roberts , his first tackle on a very difficult surface , he is booked. The yellow card stays out in the cold for the rest of the game as he chooses to show it at every tap, niggle , barge and chat the players deliver. His assistance on the dugout side joins in throughout the game with real pettiness and as a pop at Ronnie Evans for giving tape to Stevie Howson! The game from then on is peppered with dubious and illogical decisions. I am confident a report will be on the table. Lets hope the joker in the pack of cards reads it.

Boro believe they have took the lead when after a scramble in the box the ball is poked over the line by Howson with the ball clearly in the back of the net ,the lino seeing Fitzpatrick celebrate by kicking the ball in to the net further gives offside. Fitzpatrick is fuming and although rightly, needs to curb his response , he is booked. A player of Fitzys calibre needs to be with us all season and not on the suspension list. Dawson is next in the book as the ref will need to sharpen his pencil at half time. Howson is set free and pushes the ball passed the keeper in the box , the keeper takes down the striker but does get a touch of the ball to send for a corner. The ball is cleared long from the corner and Boro hold the ball well at the back and build patiently, Dawson waits for the gap and delivers a great ball for Sampson to take up and charge the rail defence with a determined run , his pass finds Connell who's shot is blocked well. Mark Jones picks up and his shot is charged down , Rail counter Boro frantically close down in midfield , Boro spend the last five keeping the hosts out of the last third and restrict them to a wide header from a corner. Tired legs will welcome a break, the half ends 0-0.

No changes and Boro make a good start with Kelly finding Connell well on the edge , he doesnt make up his mind and the chance to bring others into play is lost. Mark Jones finds space and runs at the back four, Craig Smith catches him and yes, he is booked. Two penalty claims are waved away , the first after Howson and Chappell link well in the corner as the ball comes in the defender handles , the ref looks away. Some scrappy play in the boro box with Chappell clearing up suggests a push , ref looks away. Connell and Sampson link well and force a wasted corner. Rail play quickly and are capable of breaking fast, Chappell is unlucky not to break up the attack Jones & Smith look dangerous ,Kelly clears for corner.

The referee gets involved to split up Thirkell and Chappell as they draw handbags. 56 minutes gone and rail produce a great move Steve Smith sprints down the flank and beats Roberts easily to send in a fine cross that is met on the run by Ben Jones to nod past the Boro keeper. Boro respond and force a corner that is cleared too easily, Rail come again as Smith sends a great ball into substitute Henry his cross beats Priestley and reaches Thirkell who gets a foot to it, Priestley matches him and produces a timely block. Within 5 minutes the Boro are level, Howson peeling off the defenders shoulder gets to the ball first and flicks the ball into the path of Fitzpatrick who lifts the ball over the advancing keeper, 1-1. Priestley pulls off two good saves to deny rail taking the lead one with the hands and the other with the feet. Mark Jones is trying to unlock and uses Fizpatrick who delays and trys to beat the defender twice when the simple ball would have been more effective, it finds its way back to Jones who plays Chappell in who goes for placement , the effort goes wide. Boro change Howson for Roscoe on 75 he goes straight into action and releases a shot with options available. Henry is on the edge of the Boro box and looks to shoot but Chappell surprises him and wins the ball well, Chappells recent performances have been a breath of fresh air with a combination of hard graft and guile. Rail combine some good passing along the advancing line Henry to Ball and one more out to Jones , his shot hits the post after a good save again by Priestley , Ball is waiting and converts to make it 2-1, Boro scream for the offside but don't get it , Roberts continues the argument by kicking the ball away, Mr Hart is bored with the colour yellow and gives a straight red. The suspension will hurt Boro. Boro look for the equaliser but fail to penetrate. and are not convincing in front of goal with chances available but not took. The game runs out with a series of substitutions and Rail holding for time in the corners. The last action is..... a booking for Ball, i could not see why. Forrest was taken off on 85 after a good workmanlike run out. The squad will be stronger with him back. It now as to be the responsibility of players to keep their heads when decisions go against them and keep the squad together.

Chinese writing is easier to understand than the decisions made by officials today.

A frustrating defeat.

see you in the North East

Cometh the hour, cometh the Manning!

"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.

Chappell arrives on time

First half 2 minutes - Howson fed Fitzy from the right wing who shot along the floor just wide of the lefthand post. 6 minutes - edge of the area Fitzy hard shot saved well and pushed away from danger. 10 minutes - First shot by Harrogate. Boro couldn't clear the box from a thrown in as both opposition strikers were fairly strong and hard to deal with when they had their back to goal. The shot itself rose wide over the bar. 31 minutes - First Goal. Ball through the middle of Harrogate defence followed by a layoff from Fitzy which Chappell got on the end of to bundle home from inside the area. 34 minutes - Chappell on left wing showed nice skill to work an opening on the edge of the box before hitting a shot way off target. 42 minutes - Barging run by Lee Connell as he shoulder charged one of the Harrogate defenders put of the way before hitting a shot way wide from the edge of the area. Second half - 6 minutes - Poor clearance from Liam Sutcliffe the Harrogate goalkeeper which found Chappell whose shot was blocked before it reached the goal. 11 minutes - driving run by Chappell after picking up possession in th centre circle before beating a challenge and feeding Fitzy who fed a low cross into the box but there was no Boro player to latch onto it. 20 minutes - ball over the top from Harrogate caught Lee Unsworth out of position who misjudged and missed a headed clearance which put Railway striker Ben Jones through on goal but Phil Priestly came off his line well to smother the opportunity. 2 minutes into injury time - ball flighted across the six yard box towards goal and Priestly only managed to deflect it onto his post which luckily didn't lead to an undeserved late equaliser. Notes on the game - Encouraging debut for Owen Roberts at Left Wingback who looked comfortable in possession and willing to get forward at every opportunity. Last 15 minutes of the game saw the welcome return of Adam Roscoe from injury and as per usual his hold up play and physical presence looked top drawer which is surely a good sign for what lays in store when he can play the full ninety minutes of games again. Pick of the defenders was Simon Kelly who was strong and authoritative throughout. Put in a flawless display against a side who had both power and pace in the forward line but his efforts and those of his teamates managed to nullify the threat throughout the game. Man of the match was without doubt Neil Chappell who looked to have recaptured the form of last season as he made numerous lungbusting runs both with and without possession which helped to keep the opposition on the backfoot for the majority of the game. Nearly every scoring opportunity that Boro had came through his effort and endeavour. Throughout the ninety minutes he made a massive impact on the game.