After eight National League North fixtures, focus now shifts onto the first cup competition of our 2024/25 campaign with the draw sending Radcliffe across the North West to face Step 2 side, Warrington Town.

Last season, Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley’s men travelled to the North East to Craik Park, in what turned out to be a cup classic. Radcliffe saw themselves trailing in the final moments but a late goal from Jordan Hulme seemed to have set up a midweek replay at the Neuven Stadium, however with almost the final kick of the game, Josh Robson put the hosts into the Second Qualifying Round deep into stoppage time.

This time round, Radcliffe enter the competition at a later stage following promotion to the National League North, and require two wins to make it into the First Round Proper.

The Opposition

In Warrington Town’s first season in the National League North, the side picked up 64 points as they finished 12th in the table with a goal difference of +4. Mark Beesley’s team only had the 17th best home record however, as they picked up just 30 points of the 69 on offer.

So far this campaign, the Yellows have claimed eight points from their opening eight games. With seven of them coming from home matches, the one point on the road was fought for in a 1-1 draw against top of the table Scunthorpe United. Despite their success on home soil, they are yet to successfully keep a clean sheet.

Last season, Warrington were knocked out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle as they lost 3-2 to Curzon Ashton at the Cal.Delivery Stadium.

Stats and Facts

Across 116 FA Cup matches, Radcliffe’s biggest victory in the contest came in 1999, an 8-1 victory against Warrington Town in the First Qualifying Round. The only other time the sides were drawn against each other ended in a 3-1 win for the Boro in 2009.

Radcliffe have not won away in the FA Cup since the 2018/19 season, a 2-0 win over Prestwich Heys which was televised live on the BBC as Ben Wharton dispatched both goals.

The Boro have made 23 previous visits to Warrington Town and have won on eight occasions, but haven’t won on the road against the Yellows since the 26th of March in 2011.

Ones to Watch

From 100 games in-between the sticks for Warrington, Dan Atherton has kept 28 clean sheets and also has two stoppage time goals to his name. The former Liverpool youngster has plenty of experience with time at Hyde and TNS, as well as his two full seasons with the Yellows. Atherton has been praised by many and his performance could be important if Warrington are to progress.

Matty Grivosti will be a familiar name to most Radcliffe fans after a successful loan period in the 2022/23 campaign that saw the midfielder score twice in 27 appearances. Last season, he was a regular in the side and scored five goals throughout the year, the former Bolton player has been in the lineup five times so far this season and has the skills to cause problems for the Radcliffe defence.

Last Time Out

When the two sides last met, Warrington Town came away 3-0 winners at the Neuven Stadium back in April 2023.

After a goalless first half, Connor Woods opened the scoring after a powerful run at Accrington Stanley loanee Connor O’Brien resulted in a low shot finding the far corner.

In the 88th minute, Jude Oyibo was dismissed and the Yellows added two goals in stoppage time as Isaac Buckley-Ricketts found the back of the net from just inside the area after he controlled a long ball forward, before Josh Amis secured the victory with a chipped finish from outside the area over Jack McIntyre.

Matchday Information

Date: 14/09/24
Time: 3pm kick-off

Saturday’s game will not be segregated, therefore Warrington and Radcliffe fans will be mixed and are free to enjoy the tie from wherever they’d like to watch from inside the Cal.Delivery Stadium.

Radcliffe supporters will be able to pay at the turnstile using cash only, however Warrington strongly encourage fans to buy online to reduce queues, ticket prices at the turnstiles are slightly increased so it is a cheaper option to purchase in advance.

Ticket prices –

Adults – £15 (£13 if purchased online in advance)
Concessions – £10 (£9 if purchased online in advance)
U16s – £3

Tickets can be purchased online here.

Read our away information article here.

Can’t Attend the Game?

Listen to live kick-by-kick commentary over on Radcliffe Radio, click here to tune in from 2:45pm.