Jordan Hulme’s first league goal of the campaign, adding to Rick Smith’s first-half strike proved enough to take three points for the first time this season at the Neuven Stadium.

One change was made to the side that drew away at Scunthorpe United, Anthony Dudley was named in the starting eleven for the first time in 10 days, whilst Tunde Owolabi was dropped to the bench after a strong run in the side.

Radcliffe successfully evaded the first of Rob Evans’ long throws into area in the third minute. 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.

The Boro defended well again in the ninth minute as Stewart found Ant Lynn in space but his goalward effort was superbly blocked by Rick Smith’s outstretched leg and went behind for a corner that Lois Maynard headed away unchallenged.

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 the play well and intercepted the ball on halfway, before he made his way into the Leamington half and unleashed a strike directly into the bottom left corner from a long way out.

Radcliffe held onto the lead as they headed into the break, with Rick Smith’s moment of brilliance the only difference between the sides.

Shortly after the interval, Jordan Hulme managed to dig out a shot but only found the gloves of Callum Hawkins after Dudley had done well to play the ball into the number nine.

Leamington’s first substitution of the evening saw Tim Berridge exit the field in places of Henry Landers, and just two minutes after the number seven was introduced, he restored parity from the edge of the penalty area with a curled finish after a poor clearance by Hewelt was punished.

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 Radcliffe’s advantage.

A chance at a third came along in the 72nd minute as Dudley was played in behind the defence, his first thought was to square the ball but with no available options he took on the shot, Hawkins was able to block with his feet to keep the score at 2-1.

Another opportunity to gain a two-goal cushion presented itself, Smith’s header from only yards out went narrowly wide of the far post in the 79th minute from Adams’ set piece delivery. Moments later, the visitors went close as Radcliffe failed to clear the first ball but Jiah Medrano’s attempt was off target from close range.

Leamington had the ball in the back of the net in the 84th minute, but a clear foul on Mateusz Hewelt quickly halted the away side’s celebrations as Jack Edwards fired into the roof of the net.

Despite late pressure from the visitors, Radcliffe held on to the lead to secure the first three points of the campaign at the Neuven Stadium, heading into another home fixture against Rushall Olympic on Saturday, buy your tickets online here!