Radcliffe tasted defeat for the first time on home soil since March on Saturday, as King’s Lynn took all three points away from the contest thanks to a brace from Jonny Margetts, we now face the second of Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson’s former sides this Tuesday, as the hunt for our first victory of the season continues.

The Opposition

Spennymoor Town have been in the National League North since the 2017/18 season, and have finished in the top half of the table in every year since with a highest position of 4th in their second campaign. Despite always being in the top half of the table, they’ve only made the play-offs on one occasion.

Former Marske United manager Graeme Lee is the current Moors boss after being appointed in January 2024, following in the footsteps of his father who managed the club in the early 2000’s. Lee will want to see his side bounce back from their 1-0 defeat at the hands County Durham rivals Darlington last weekend.

The Moors have picked up seven points from their opening six games, with wins over Chester and Southport, as well as a draw against Brackley in a match that they were winning until the final five minutes. Tuesday’s visitors had scored in their last ten matches, a run that went back to March last season, but were shut out on Saturday afternoon as they failed to find the net.

Ones to Watch

Spennymoor Town’s main danger man is Glen Taylor. Since he joined the County Durham side in 2015, Taylor has been the two things that any side would want, loyal and a goalscorer, having made over 350 appearances for the Moors. He is the club’s top goalscorer of all time, nearing closer to the 200-goal mark. Last campaign, he missed three months due to knee surgery but still found the back of the net on 17 occasions. With two goals in five so far, he will want to edge closer to that second century of goals on Tuesday night.

Another player that has been key for Spennymoor Town is Rob Ramshaw. Having been with the club since 2016, the midfielder is one of the side’s longest serving members and is influential in the centre of the park. Dictating the pace of play and managing possession, Ramshaw is also an effective goalscorer, having found the net 14 times last season.

22nd – League Position – 16th
6 – Games Played – 6
3 – Points – 7
0 – Wins – 2
3 – Draws – 1
3 – Losses – 3
8 – Goals For – 9
14 – Goals Against – 8
Josh Hancock (3) – Top Goalscorer – Issac Fletcher (4)

Last Time Out

The two sides last met in December 2021, clashing horns in the third round of the FA Trophy as Spennymoor Town progressed in the competition, Jamie Chandler scored the game’s only goal in the 77th minute to seal a 1-0 victory.

Perhaps the most notable aspect of the match, it was the first game in charge of the Moors for the current Radcliffe management duo Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley, as they replaced Tommy Miller in the week ahead of the tie.

On the pitch, it was not the goal filled match that usually follows the pair as only one goal managed to find the back of the net, Chandler remained cool and drove a low shot under the body of Cameron Belford via Rob Ramshaw’s pass, for the game’s winning goal.

Overall, the tie was scrappy and neither side created an abundance of scoring opportunities, as Kevin Spinelli and Kole Hall were unable to find themselves in a position to make a difference on the day.

Matchday Information

Date: 03/09/24
Time: 7:45pm kick-off
Location: Neuven Stadium

Adult: £15
Concession: £10
U16: Free

Buy your tickets online here!

Can’t Attend the Game

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Around the Grounds

Brackley Town v Chorley
Curzon Ashton v Scunthorpe United
Darlington v Alfreton Town
Hereford v Needham Market
Kidderminster Harriers v Chester
Rushall Olympic v Marine
Scarborough Athletic v King’s Lynn Town
South Shields v Buxton
Southport v Farsley Celtic
Warrington Town v Leamington