Football - Radcliffe spoils Town's final chance (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Football - Radcliffe spoils Town's final chance

10:31am Saturday 7th March 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

Kendal Town 1.

Radcliffe Borough 2.

LOWER league Radcliffe spoiled Town’s dream of a Lancashire Co-op Cup final appearance with a 2-1 defeat at Parkside on a wet Thursday night.

Chances came and went for Kendal, who went close in the first half when Craig Hobson's cross-shot came back off the crossbar with the keeper stranded, and then a diving Alex Taylor just failed to convert Michael Cole’s cross.

Instead Radcliffe went ahead on 29 minutes as Mark Drew's shot took a wicked deflection that gave Newnes no chance.

Player/manager Lee Ashcroft brought himself on for an injured Ashcroft and he soon tested the keeper. who saved well.

An equaliser remained elusive, however, as George Melling fired over the bar following a smart free-kick routine.

On 61 minutes Radcliffe were awarded a penalty when Dan Wordsworth was adjudged to have handled the ball. Griff Jones obliged from the spot and sent Radcliffe 2-0 up.

Four minutes later, Town finally got their reward as Wisdom forced in an Ashcroft cross on 65 minutes.

Melling fired in a firm volley that drew a strong save and Wisdom saw a shot cleared off the line, but Town could not get on level terms and Radcliffe finished strongly, hitting the post late on, as they moved into the final.

HOW THEY RATED: Newnes 7, Standley 7, Widson 8, Wordsworth 7, Melling (capt) 7, Warburton 7, Baker 6 (Williams 46, 7), Hobson 6, Taylor 7 (Ashcroft 32, 6), Cole 6, Mulvaney 6 (Kilford 70, 6). Subs unsued Harrison, Bush.

Att: 105.

Star Man - Danny Wisdom - a high work-rate rewarded with goal