East Midlands Counties - Premier Division - 07/08/10
Barrow Town 0 v 2 Radcliffe Olympic
Radcliffe Olympic faced the first game of their new campaign with a trip away to Barrow Town in Leicestershire and came away with all three points from a 2-0 win. One goal came in each half, the first from Grant Walton on his debut in the opening half and the second from Carl Westcarr three minutes from time.
The Riversider's appointed a new management team during the close season who have made a number of new signings to boost their already experienced squad.
Radcliffe Olympic have also been busy following the departure of Jon Simpson who has moved on to manage Southwell City and Alex Haughton who has joined Grantham Town. Olympic have added to their squad by signing Grant Walton and Stefan Dalmedo previously with Gedling Miners Welfare, along with Danny Blanchard and Adam Waddley from Bilborough Pelican. Josh Royce from the U18's has also been included in the squad.
Aaron Korol and Phil Massingham were unavailable whist Dalmedo is still recovering from injury. Walton was included in a three man midfield while new signings Waddley, Blanchard and Royce joined Ash Brandy on the bench
There were few clear cut chances in the opening stages as the strong defensive units snuffed out the efforts of the opposing forwards. Barrow's speedy Nat Price looked dangerous up front but was well marshalled by Dave Hawkes and James Spence, whilst Wes Spencer showed all his experience as he contained the tricky Liam Fitzpatrick down the right. The only Barrow chances of note came when Fitzpatrick latched onto a through ball and looked certain to score only to be denied by a good save down to his right by Olympic keeper James Mountain. Following a defensive lapse, Price had a golden opportunity to open the scoring, but was thwarted by Ash Miles who cleared off the line with Mountain out of position.
Radcliffe struggled to create chances, despite Drew Hatton surging down the right and Ben Richardson tricking his way down the left, neither were able to make an impact; Westcarr found himself outnumbered whenever the ball was played to him up front. Despite this, the Olympic opened the scoring on 28 minutes. Richardson and Spencer combined down the left to win a corner which was taken by Tom Maddison; movement in the Barrow area allowed Walton to storm in at the far post to send his thudding header goal wards, despite Dan Riley getting a hand to it he was unable to prevent it flying into the roof of the net. Just before the break Radcliffe almost added a second when Richardson's pass found Craig Anderson who reached the bye line to cross to the oncoming Walton who came within inches of making contact at the near post.
Half Time: 0-1
Within seconds of the restart the heavens opened up sending the spectators rushing for cover, making conditions difficult. Once again it was to be a half of few chances, but Radcliffe were looking far more composed looked in control. Hatton broke down the right; his first cross was charged down allowing him another chance, this time it fell nicely for the unmarked Richardson, only for him to volley over the bar from six yards out. Barrow created a good opening down the right before the ball was played back to Craig Noble whose effort from the edge of the area cleared the bar. They sent a series of crosses into the Radcliffe box, But Mountain in fine form dealt with them comfortably. Radcliffe put the result beyond doubt when they added a second on 87 minutes. Spencer's determined run took him to the bye line before cutting the ball back; it eventually reached Westcarr whose fierce drive rebounded off a defender before crossing the line.
Richardson and Westcarr were replaced by Blanchard and Royce for the remaining minutes.
Full Time: 0-2
Despite not being at their best, especially in the first half, a deserved Radcliffe win to provided an excellent start to the season. The defence and Spencer in particular were superb against a lively attack that will cause other teams problems over the season. The midfield trio came out on top of their exchanges; the team just lacked a cutting edge up front.
Radcliffe thoughts will not be on the league this week as the will make history as they play their first game in the FA Cup on Saturday. They travel to Holbeach United in the extra preliminary round of the competition, looking for a victory that will earn them a home tie in the next round on August 28th against the winners of the Wisbech Town/St. Andrews tie.
Report by John Watts
Radcliffe Olympic: J Mountain, A Miles, W Spencer, D Hawkes, J Spence, T Maddison, B Richardson (D Blanchard 88), C Anderson, G Walton, C Westcarr (J Royce 88), D Hatton.
Subs (not used): A Waddley, A Brandy.
Barrow Town: D Riley, J Mann, I Merryweather, J Coppard, J Munn, N Stringfellow (L Dawson), L Fitzpatrick, S Shorrocks, N Price (S McKinnon), C Noble, M Papparozi.
Subs (not used): C Dawson, P Yeomans, J Hogan.
Referee: I Raynor. Assistants: M Barker, M Law.
