This Saturday, Radcliffe travel south knowing that three points will confirm the club’s status in the National League North for the 2025/26 campaign, regardless of results elsewhere.
It’ll be tough to trump the Boro’s performance last time out, which saw Matt Sargent head home in the 94th minute to seal victory against league leaders Scunthorpe United, but Bernard and Jonno’s side will be aiming to carry momentum going into the final four fixtures.
The Opposition
Leamington have had a steady season, with highs including the heights of sixth on matchday nine after a 1-0 triumph over Farsley Celtic, but no extreme lows in their return to the National League North, their lowest position being 18th after matchday 25. Paul Holleran’s men have been comfortably safe throughout the campaign, not once looking likely to enter a relegation scrap.
Currently, Saturday’s hosts are on a seven-match run that has seen them pick up four points, including a home victory over South Shields, and a 1-1 draw with Kidderminster Harriers. Any hopes of a late, but unlikely surge towards the play-offs dwindled following defeats against Scunthorpe United, Chester, Alfreton Town, King’s Lynn Town and Peterborough Sports during those fixtures.
Leamington’s season could have been different if it wasn’t for the January departure of star striker Callum Stewart. The 23-year-old scored 14 goals in just 23 appearances before League One’s Shrewsbury Town signed the promising attacker for an undisclosed fee.
Ones To Watch
Harry Landers is the top-scoring member of the Leamington squad with nine goals in 37 appearances, making him a player to keep a keen eye on. The 24-year-old, who scored in the reverse fixture between the two teams, has picked up a further four assists but hasn’t managed to find the back of the net in any of his last six matches.
George Ward has played 93% of the available minutes for Leamington this season, falling just short of the top spot which belongs to goalkeeper, Callum Hawkins. The central defender has been a constant member of the Brakes’ starting eleven whilst racking up five goals, including two in his last six matches.
Stat Pack
14th – League Position – 20th
42 – Games Played – 42
53 – Points – 46
15 – Wins – 12
8 – Draws – 10
19 – Losses – 20
51 – Goals For – 53
50 – Goals Against – 68
Henry Landers (9) – Top Goalscorer – Jordan Hulme (12)
Last Time Out
Tuesday 5th November 2024: Radcliffe 2-1 Leamington
Jordan Hulme’s first league goal of the campaign, adding to Rick Smith’s first-half strike, gave Radcliffe their first home victory of the season on Bonfire Night.
The Boro successfully evaded the first of Rob Evans’ long throws in the third minute when the defender picked out Callum Stewart in the box, but enough blue shirts were able to block the opposition number nine’s strike at goal.
Midway through the first half, Radcliffe went close through Brad Jackson. The ball hung in the air and allowed the number two to volley towards the target, crashing off the base of the post and away to safety, to the relief of Leamington.
In the 31st minute, Smith fired Radcliffe into the lead in style. The defender read play well and intercepted the ball on halfway before making his way into the Leamington half and unleashing a strike directly into the bottom left corner from a long way out.
Leamington’s first substitution of the evening saw Tim Berridge exit the field in place of Henry Landers, and just two minutes after he was introduced, the number seven restored parity from the edge of the penalty area with a curled finish which punished a poor clearance by Mateusz Hewelt.
Radcliffe retook the lead moments later as Hulme found the back of net for the first time in the league this season to make it 2-1 to the Boro. Duxbury’s cross-field switch picked out Jackson who began a driving run at the heart of the defence, followed by an excellent pass out to the left for the run of Hulme. The striker nonchalantly slotted into the bottom left corner from inside the area to restore the home side’s advantage.
Despite late pressure from Leamington, Radcliffe held on to the lead to secure the first three points of the campaign at the Neuven Stadium.
Matchday Information
Date: 12/04/25
Time: 3pm kick-off
Location: Your Co-Op Community Stadium
Adult: £15
Concession: £11
Student*: £8
Under 18: £5
Under 12**: Free
* On production of valid student 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 over on Radcliffe Radio, click here to tune in from 2:50pm.
Around The Grounds
Alfreton Town v Peterborough Sports
Chester v Darlington
Chorley v Marine
Farsley Celtic v King’s Lynn Town
Kidderminster Harriers v Curzon Ashton
Needham Market v Rushall Olympic
Oxford City v Hereford
Scarborough Athletic v Buxton
Scunthorpe United v Spennymoor Town
South Shields v Southport
Warrington Town v Brackley Town
