Radcliffe return to the Neuven Stadium after the side picked up maximum points at Buxton last weekend thanks to a late goal from Matt Sargent, giving the Boro back-to-back league victories for the time since November.

We now head into the first of five home matches in a six-game period, starting off with a midweek meeting against Chorley, where we’ll be aiming to continue our momentum and replicate a similar display to our abandoned fixture on Boxing Day.

The Opposition

Chorley enter Tuesday night’s game off the back of five successive victories that have moved Andy Preece’s side within striking distance of the top spot. A win for the away side would see them move up to 3rd in the table, within two points of the league leaders Chester.

The Magpies’ last defeat came on the 14th of December, 11 matches ago. Since then, Chorley have found the net 18 times and conceded on just eight occasions. The ten-game run that followed the defeat at Hereford includes victories against play-off contenders Kidderminster Harriers and Brackley Town, as well as a draw with fellow title challengers Scunthorpe United.

Despite the side’s recent run, Chorley have been noticeably worse away from home. From 14 matches, the Magpies have won on six occasions, but drawn and lost four as well. Andy Preece’s men have also been relatively goal-shy on the road with just 1.3 goals a game when compared to 1.8 goals a game at Victory Park.

Ones To Watch

36-year-old veteran defender Mark Ellis is in the midst of the best goal-scoring form of his 17-and-a-half-year career. The centre-back has netted in each of the last five games, including a brace against third-placed Brackley and a match-winner on Saturday at South Shields. With nine goals and four assists to his name so far this campaign, he’ll be one to watch for Chorley on Tuesday night.

Mike Calveley has been a key part of Chorley’s recent good run with six of the midfielder’s nine league goals this season coming during the Magpies’ ten-game undefeated streak. The midfielder was named the Man of the Match on Saturday as he controlled the centre of the park. Since joining Chorley in 2020, the 25-year-old has been a crucial member of the side and that hasn’t changed this season, registering the most minutes of all the outfield players in the 2024/25 campaign.

Stat Pack

19th – League Position – 4th
29 – Games Played – 31
32 – Points – 57
8 – Wins – 16
8 – Draws – 9
13 – Losses – 6
37 – Goals For – 48
51 – Goals Against – 33
Hulme (8) – Top Goalscorer – Ellis (10)

Last Time Out

Radcliffe’s last encounter with the Magpies dates back to September 2020, when the Boro picked up a solid 3-1 victory thanks to goals from Luca Navarro and Kole Hall in a pre-season friendly.

The latter’s tidy finish into the roof of the net gave Lee Fowler’s side a one-goal advantage heading into the break. That lead was then doubled after the restart as Navarro thumped home before wheeling away in celebration with 70 minutes on the clock.

Chorley then halved the deficit through forward Lewis Reilly, which gave Radcliffe something to think about with nine minutes to go, but Navarro popped up again to restore our advantage with a perfectly-placed curling effort into the top right corner of the net, securing victory in the process.

Matchday Information

Date: 18/02/25
Time: 7:45pm kick-off
Location: Neuven Stadium

Adult: £12
Concession: £6
U16: Free

The fixture will be segregated with Radcliffe fans entering via turnstiles A and B only, away supporters are to enter through turnstile C at the bottom end of the ground.

Please be aware that entry will not be permitted with a ticket from the original date (Boxing Day), a new ticket must be purchased in order to gain entry to the rearranged fixture.

Tickets can be purchased online here.

Can’t Attend The Game?

Listen to live kick-by-kick commentary over on Radcliffe Radio, click here to tune in from 7:30pm.

Around The Grounds

Farsley Celtic v Southport
Hereford v Warrington Town
King’s Lynn Town v Oxford City
Leamington v Buxton
Marine v Kidderminster Harriers
Spennymoor Town v Alfreton Town