The Boro’s first-ever National League North fixture started in a sour fashion as Scarborough established a two-goal cushion thanks to a brace from Dom Tear inside 40 minutes, before a perfectly-struck free kick from debutant Tom Walker halved the deficit to inspire a Radcliffe comeback with five minutes to go in the first 45.

An entertaining second half saw Radcliffe one goal down for its majority after initially drawing level after the break, as Tear completed his hat-trick just before the hour mark. A stoppage time goal on the cusp of the final whistle from second-half substitute Anthony Dudley rescued a point in the dying embers.

Radcliffe looked the more likely of the sides to open the scoring, as Josh Hancock had two chances from within Ryan Whitley’s box.

His first strike was met by the Scarborough ‘keepers’ strong right hand before the ball cannoned off the post. The attacking midfielder’s second effort was well blocked by a defender, who threw himself in front of the ball to stop it from reaching its intended destination, after Jordan Hulme had battled into the area to create the opportunity.

Against the run of play, Scarborough opened the scoring in the 23rd minute as Tear played a quick one-two with Richard Bennett before he made his run into the area, tapping home via a scuffed shot from six yards out.

The former Halifax Town man doubled his sides lead in the 40th minute with his second goal of the game, as he slotted the ball past Hewelt with a sharp strike after a poor defensive clearance from a goal kick gifted the game’s man of the match a free run to fire home.

Just before half-time, a mistake from Will Thornton allowed Walker to open his Radcliffe account as the Scarborough captain gave away a free kick in a dangerous area, 20 yards from goal. The summer signing made no mistake, as he picked out the top left corner of Ryan Whitley’s net with a beautifully-bended shot.

Radcliffe wasted no time in their search for an equaliser after the restart, as Hancock found the back of the net just three minutes into the second 45. A second piece of brilliance from Walker saw the ball delivered across the face of goal to the onrushing midfielder, for him poke into the corner at the back post.

In the 57th minute, Tear claimed the match ball as his strike found the back of the Radcliffe net to give his side the lead after another defensive clearance fell kindly, as 30 minutes remained of the opening day.

With 68 minutes on the clock, Bernard and Jonno turned to the bench as Brad Jackson, Anthony Dudley, Kyle Campbell and Jake Thompson were introduced to try and find an equaliser, rolling the dice once again with the introduction of Ewan Bange 13 minutes later, making the most of the new five substitutions rule.

Six minutes were added on by the referee at the end of the 90 and Radcliffe took full advantage of the time given, as the Boro attack piled the pressure onto the visitor’s defence which had been resilient for the majority of the second half.

In a nail-biting finish to the opening day, Dudley tied the game in the 92nd minute to send the Neuven Stadium into euphoria, slotting into the bottom right corner from 20 yards out as the attacker remained calm and collected under pressure from the Scarborough defence.

In the limited minutes that remained, both sides had a chance to win the game. Luca Colville saw his effort saved by Hewelt as the shot-stopper stood tall to prevent the right midfielder from scoring the match-winning goal, before Jackson’s curled attempt was blocked in the final minute by Kieran Weledji, saving his side from late heartbreak.

A positive point added to the board after matchday one, Radcliffe are back in action next Saturday as the side travel to Kidderminster Harriers, the first away day of the campaign. Join us as we look to continue adding points to the board backed by your outstanding support!