UNIBOND LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

Winsford United 1 Radcliffe Borough 2

A DEBUT goal from Liam Croxton and a second half Lee Kissock penalty gave Boro a well-deserved victory.

Both Croxton and Boro's other debutant, Gus Wilson, put in fine performances, which suggests they will prove to be valuable addtions to the squad.

Boro were without four regulars due to injury and suspension. Richard Battersby, Mark Dempsey, Phil Power and Eamon Kelly were all missing, but the new-look team soon settled down to produce some neat football, despite the difficult conditions at the Barton Stadium.

Boro opened brightly and Croxton almost opend his account as early as the eighth minute when Winsford keeper Pierce somehow turned aside his shot following good work by Tony Whealing.

The newcomer just failed to find the target again three minutes later when he headed over when well-placed, but it was Winsford who surprisingly opened the scoring after 13 minutes.

A right wing free-kick drifted beyond the far post and when it was returned into the danger area David Mayes was on hand to head past Danny Hurst.

As Boro applied the pressure in the search for the equaliser, Whealing had a shot charged down, Scott Wilson had a shot blocked and Pierce gratefully grabbed James Price's follow-up effort.

Kissock's bustling style was causing the home defence problems, but it was Croxton who eventually earned the reward for his early efforts in midfield.

A long ball from Price caught the Winsford defence square and Croxton coolly drilled the ball into the bottom corner.

Winsford's efforts were less cultured, but Hurst had to be on his toes to twice kick clear under pressure, whilst Gus Wilson showed his experience with some important interceptions and clever positional play.

Boro almost took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Simon Kelly, Croxton and Andy Walker combined well to create a chance from which Mark Carter fired just wide.

The second half started with Boro knocking the ball about with some confidence and their reward came in the 51st minute. A long Whealing throw-in found Carter in the box and as he turned his man he was brought down to win the penalty.

Kissock stepped up to confidently send Pierce the wrong way and score his first goal for the club.

With the visitors in control, the game should have been sewn up. Kelly fired wide following a neat build-up, Wilson twice had shots blocked and Walker fired over. Croxton also had a good chance to grab a second, but his shot lacked power.

Winsford dragged themselves back into the game without causing any major problems, but had a good chance with six minutes remaining when substitute Mike Sculley lifted the ball over Hurst and past the post when clean through.

The game ended with Boro again on top with Neill Hardy, a 77th minute substitute for Carter, showing what Boro had been missing in his absence.

Hardy almost grabbed a third Boro goal in the last minute when he forced a full length save from Pierce.

As it was, two goals proved enough and three more valuable points were a fair reward for a competent display.

RADCLIFFE BOROUGH: Hurst 7, Walker 7, Whealing 7, S Kelly 7, Bean 7, G Wilson 8, Croxton 8, S Wilson 7, Kissock 7, Carter 7, Price 7. Substitutes: Hardy (for Carter, 77 mins), Peagram (for Kissock, 83).