Radcliffe face a tough challenge on Non-League Day as Gavin Cowan’s Brackley Town make the long journey North ahead of the contest, which could have serious implications for the final table in eight games’ time.

Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley’s side will complete a surprise double over the promotion hopefuls with a victory. Additionally, Radcliffe could be 10 points clear of the drop zone come the full-time whistle.

On the other hand, Brackley Town must leave the Neuven Stadium with a positive result to keep the pressure on the league leaders Scunthorpe United, who currently have a four-point advantage over the Saints but with an extra match to their name.

The Opposition

Brackley Town come into the weekend’s match off the back of one point in their last two fixtures, a worse return than the play-off hopefuls would have expected after reeling off five back-to-back wins previously.

During the busy period that began in February, the Saints have managed an impressive seven wins from the last 11 games. They’ve finally had a Tuesday night off from league action for the first time in a month after a draw against King’s Lynn Town and a defeat to Buxton 1-0.

Gavin Cowan’s team have been exceptional away from St James Park this campaign having picked up 34 points in 19 matches, the fourth-best record on the road. However, four of the last five matches that saw Brackley Town drop points came away from home, with two 3-2 defeats and a 4-1 defeat, all against sides in or around the play-offs.

The East Midlands side have only dropped points to teams currently outside of the top half on a handful of occasions this campaign. Farsley Celtic and Warrington Town managed draws against the high-flyers, with Radcliffe and Scarborough Athletic the only outfits to defeat the promotion hopefuls and reside in the bottom half of the table.

Ones To Watch

29-year-old forward Matt Lowe is one of the key men in Brackley Town’s experienced squad. Lowe, who is now in his third spell with the club after originally joining on loan in the 15/16 season from Cambridge United, resigned for the Saints ahead of the current campaign after being released by Accrington Stanley at the end of the 23/24 season. The attacker has been credited with 20 goal contributions this season with 13 goals and seven assists, including two braces against Darlington and Alfreton Town in consecutive matchdays in March.

Connor Hall has been pivotal to Brackley’s success this season, making him one to look out for. The 27-year-old has spent most of his career towards the top of the National League North, first with Chorley where the forward enjoyed three fruitful seasons and after a short stint with Solihull Moors, the striker ended up at Brackley. Hall has an impressive 15 goals and six assists in 31 starts, including a run of games after the festive season that saw the number 27 contribute to a goal in eight straight matches.

Stat Pack

19th – League Position – 3rd
38 – Games Played – 38
43 – Points – 71
11 – Wins – 22
10 – Draws – 5
17 – Losses – 11
49 – Goals For – 60
62 – Goals Against – 39
Jordan Hulme (12) – Top Goalscorer – Connor Hall (15)

Last Time Out

Saturday 19th October 2024 – Brackley Town 0-1 Radcliffe

Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley’s men recorded their first-ever win in the National League North after a resilient defensive display was rewarded when Tunde Owolabi flicked home in the 73rd minute to take all three points back to Greater Manchester at St James Park.

Brackley started the afternoon’s action the better of the two sides with the majority of possession and a small amount of half chances in the opening 10 minutes, Scott Pollock’s crosses into the box tested Boro’s back line from both open play and dead ball situations, but the scores remained even with a quarter of an hour on the clock.

Brackley’s best opportunity before the break came after 44 minutes, when Mateusz Hewelt had to be alert to ensure his side headed into the break on level terms. Morgan Roberts opened up a pocket of space inside the box to flash an attempt across our number one, but the shot-stopper was down quickly to parry the ball away to his left-hand side.

On the 73-minute mark, Radcliffe got their noses in front. A free-flowing attack down the left channel led to Sargent swinging an inviting ball into the box for Owolabi to flick an inch-perfect header into the bottom right corner, before sprinting towards the corner flag in celebration as the away faithful erupted.

Brackley had very little to answer for after falling behind and had hardly tested Hewelt in the Radcliffe goal, despite coming forward on several occasions in the dying embers of the game.

New energy was introduced across the pitch with all five Boro substitutions made in the final 10 minutes, which helped to see out the game with a favourable scoreline, and record a monumental first-ever National League North victory.

Matchday Information

Date: 22/03/25
Time: 3pm kick-off
Location: Neuven Stadium

Adult: £5
Concession: £5
U16: Free

Tickets can be purchased online here.

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

Around The Grounds

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