Radcliffe return to league action as the squad attempt to lift themselves off the bottom of the table with a first win of our 2024/25 National League North campaign away at Marine on Saturday.

The Opposition

Marine have had a tough start to life in the National League North and currently sit 22nd in the table, with one win from the first nine matches of the campaign. A 2-1 victory over Buxton in August accounts for half of the points, as Bradley Holmes scored a brace at The Silverlands to secure the win.

Outside of that one win, the Mariners have three draws and five losses on their record. A positive of this is that two of those ties were 0-0, an excellent confidence boost for a defence that was the second best in the NPL last campaign.

At home, Marine have recorded two draws, but have scored just once across the five matches and will want to find the back of the net to give their fans something to cheer for for the first time since the 15th minute of the season’s opening day.

Ones to Watch

Luke Hutchinson will be tough to beat on Saturday and has been responsible for some top-quality saves so far this campaign. The shot stopper won man of the match for his performance against Darlington as the former Radcliffe ‘keeper kept his second clean sheet of the season.

Finlay Sinclair-Smith is yet to get off the mark this season, but is a known threat to the Radcliffe squad. It is the type of game that the forward will want to make a difference in, as he attempts to return to last season’s form.

Stat Pack

24th – League Position – 22nd
8 – Games Played – 9
4 – Points – 6
0 – Wins – 1
4 – Draws – 3
4 – Losses – 5
12 – Goals For – 3
20 – Goals Against – 12
J.Hancock, B.Roscoe (4)– Top Goalscorer – B.Holmes (4)

Last Time Out

When the two sides met in February, Radcliffe were attempting to return to winning ways following a 2-2 draw with Atherton Collieries whilst Marine were fresh off a 4-0 win against Everton in the Liverpool County FA Senior Cup Quarter Final.

Eight minutes of magic in the first half saw the Boro lead as Ewan Bange, Jordan Hulme and Willem Tomlinson sunk the Mariners’ chance of gaining points at the Neuven Stadium, before the half-time whistle had even blown.

Owen Robinson’s opening goal was cancelled out by Bange’s tap in, before Hulme headed home Nicky Adams’ free kick just three minutes later to flip the game on its head in a moment. A powerful strike from Tomlinson 13 minutes from the break proved to be the winning goal.

A rain drenched second half saw Finlay Sinclair-Smith bring Marine within a goal of drawing level but the visitors were unable to find a way to restore parity, as Radcliffe secured a 3-2 victory.

Matchday Information

Date: 05/10/24
Time: 3pm kick-off
Location: Marine Travel Arena

Adults – £15
Concessions (65+, Student 18-21, Youth 16-17) – £10
Juniors (11-15) – £6
Child (U11, accompanied by a paying adult) – Free

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.

Around the Grounds

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