Radcliffe have just one win this campaign which was claimed against this Saturday’s opponent Warrington Town, in a 2-1 win on the road in the FA Cup. The hunt for a league win continues following last weekend’s narrow defeat at Marine, but a welcome return to M26 will hopefully be the springboard needed to kickstart our National League North season. 

The Opposition

Since the two sides met in the FA Cup a month ago, Warrington Town have had a managerial change. Paul Carden was appointed to The Yellows’ dugout for the second time in his career after departing in 2021 to take control of AFC Telford United. The experienced manager has an impressive win percentage of around 50% from 224 games in charge of the club.

Saturday’s match will be the 50th time the clubs have met, with Warrington having a slight advantage in the historical head-to-head match-up. Our visitors have won 22 of the meetings compared to Radcliffe’s 18, though when facing off in Radcliffe the Boro have outscored their opponents by just one goal.

The Yellows have two wins to their name so far this season but have yet to pick up all three points on the road, with two draws from four matches. Saturday’s visitors are on a four-game unbeaten run in the National League North, with four successive 1-1 draws against Leamington, Scunthorpe, Spennymoor and Chorley.

Ones to Watch

Connor Woods is Warrington’s top scorer so far this season with four goals to his name and is one of six players in the squad to feature in all eleven matches of the campaign so far. The 26-year-old forward has scored all of The Yellows’ goals in the past month, so it is imperative that he is not allowed to set his sights on the Radcliffe goal on Saturday.

Matthew McDonald has had an excellent start to the campaign and has also played a role in all eleven matches so far this campaign. The 21-year-old midfielder has three goals to his name, which is on track to match or better his top scoring season. Now in his fourth season with the club, he will need controlling in the centre of the park to limit his influence on the game.

Stat Pack

24th – League Position – 19th
9 – Games Played – 10
4 – Points – 10
0 – Wins – 2
4 – Draws – 4
5 – Losses – 4
12 – Goals For – 11
21 – Goals Against – 14
Hancock, Roscoe (4) – Top Goalscorer – Woods (4)

Last Time Out

The two sides recently met in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round, Radcliffe coming away victorious with a 2-1 win and progression into the next round of the competition.

Warrington Town took the lead just before half-time as Connor Woods converted a free kick from 25-yards out. His strike went perfectly over the wall and into the top left corner in the seventh minute of added time to give his side the edge at the break.

Two goals from Jordan Hulme in the second half was enough to send Radcliffe into the Third Qualifying Round to set up a match against Bury. Kyle Campbell, who was fresh off the bench, clipped a ball into the area for Josh Wardle to play across goal and on a plate for Hulme to head home.

Three minutes into second-half stoppage time, Hulme stepped up again to send Radcliffe through. Callum Rowe’s lofted through ball found the number nine who chested down and rifled past Dan Atherton on the half volley, before wheeling away in celebration amongst the travelling Boro faithful behind the goal.

Matchday Information

Date: 12/10/24
Time: 3pm kick-off
Location: Neuven Stadium

Adult: £15
Concession: £10
U16: Free

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 2:45pm.

Around the Grounds

Buxton v Hereford
Chorley v Needham Market
Southport v South Shields