Radcliffe travel up the M61 to face Chorley on matchday 53, the final away day of the campaign with three points up for grabs against a play-off chasing side managed by former Crystal Palace striker, Andy Preece.

Having secured the club’s status in the National League North next season with a victory over Farsley Celtic on Tuesday night, Radcliffe can play the final two games of the campaign without the pressure of needing points on the board. While unlikely, the Boro could still finish mid-table if they win their final two matches of the season, six points would lift Radcliffe to 14th in the table at this stage.

The Opposition

Eighth in the table and out of the play-offs, Chorley’s goalscoring has dried up at the wrong moment,with Andy Preece’s side no longer in control of their fate with two matches left in the season.

The Magpies have scored five goals in their last five matches, four of which were dispatched in one match against Spennymoor Town, but have been unable to find the back of the net in the last three games as they were held to 0-0 draws against both King’s Lynn Town and Marine.

Heading into the Easter Monday tie, the home side’s form is far removed from the 10-match unbeaten run they carried into the last match. Chorley have lost four of their last 10, including defeats against Needham Market and Leamington, and haven’t put two wins together consecutively since February.

Ones To Watch

36-year-old centre-back Mark Ellis is Chorley’s joint highest goalscorer with 11 goals in the 2024/25 campaign. The former Crewe Alexandra and Carlisle United defender has found the net in 10 games and has scored a brace on two occasions. While he hasn’t scored since early March, Radcliffe will need to be careful when defending set pieces.

Former Radcliffe striker Kole Hall has found himself on the score sheet twice in the last five games, making him one to keep an eye out for in this one. The 26-year-old featured on 43 occasions for the Boro, where he scored eight goals between 2019 and 2022. Now with Chorley, he has managed seven goals in 26 starts, with four coming since the start of March.

Stat Pack

8th – League Position – 18th
44 – Games Played – 44
73 – Points – 50
20 – Wins – 13
13 – Draws – 11
11 – Losses – 20
66 – Goals For – 55
48 – Goals Against – 69
Mike Calveley & Mark Ellis (11) – Top Goalscorer – Jordan Hulme (12)

Last Time Out

Tuesday 18th February 2025 – Radcliffe 2-0 Chorley

When the two sides met earlier in the season, Radcliffe put the visitors’ 10-match unbeaten run to an end with a 2-0 win thanks to second-half goals from Rick Smith and Jordan Hulme.

The first half lacked attacking prowess, with long-range efforts from Brad Jackson and Josh Hancock being the main chances of note from an otherwise forgettable first 45.

However, five minutes after the interval birthday boy Rick Smith presented himself with the perfect gift as he nodded Radcliffe in front. Via Tom Walker’s corner towards the back post, the defender rose highest to head into the far side of the net, evading Adam Blakeman who seeked a last ditch clearance on the goal line.

On the 59-minute mark, Jordan Hulme had a golden opportunity to double Radcliffe’s lead after taking Danny Greenfield’s pass in his stride for a one-on-one chance, but the Boro captain could only fire straight at the body of Matthew Urwin who made himself big enough to block the ball and spare his side’s blushes.

Radcliffe went on to seal all three points by gaining a two-goal cushion on the stroke of full-time. Dudley set Oyibo away in space down the left before the winger laid it on a plate for Hulme to tap home from close range, netting his seventh goal of the campaign.

Matchday Information

Date: 21/04/25
Time: 3pm kick-off
Location: Victory Park

Adult: £15
Concession*: £11
Under 18: £5
Under 12**: Free

* 65+ and students with proof of a valid ID.
** With accompanying paying adult.

Tickets can be purchased online here.

Read our away information article here.

Can’t Attend The Game?

Listen to live kick-by-kick commentary on Radcliffe Radio, click here to tune in from 2:50pm.

Around The Grounds

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