Jordan Hulme’s brace inspired Radcliffe to an important three points at the Neuven Stadium, helping the Boro climb out of the relegation zone and up to 19th in the National League North table.
Two changes were made to the team that claimed a point at Needham Market in our last league fixture, as Brad Jackson returned to the starting eleven whilst new signing George Glendon made his Radcliffe debut in the centre of the park.
Four minutes into the game, the Boro took the lead after a fast start allowed Jordan Hulme to dispatch his seventh goal of the campaign. Brad Jackson wriggled beyond his man to reach the byline and the number nine nodded goalwards, taking multiple deflections before finding the back of the Hereford net.
Moments later, Andy Williams’ header created a through ball for Jason Cowley to burst on goal with a one-on-one opportunity, but the striker could only drag wide of the target despite having ample amount of time to pick his spot.
On the 28-minute mark, Hereford were level. Williams picked up possession inside the Radcliffe box before dribbling beyond his closest markers, opening a pocket of space to chip the ball over Mateusz Hewelt and into the far side of the net.
However, Tom Walker rested responsibility on his shoulders as Radcliffe gained a one-goal cushion once again via the spot. Hulme was fouled in the box and Walker stepped up, sliding into the bottom left corner before wheeling away in celebration with the rebounded ball in hand after 35 minutes.
An early scare at the start of the half gave Radcliffe something to think about after the restart, Williams netted from a tight angle but the linesman quickly raised his flag to keep the scoreline in Radcliffe’s favour.
With 63 minutes on the clock, Bernard and Jonno’s men converted a third to put them firmly in the driving seat with just under half an hour to go. Jackson’s low cross was touched forward by Hulme and from a seemingly impossible angle, the 34-year-old delicately poked underneath Theo Richardson at his near post.
Hereford wouldn’t lay down though, as Yusifu Ceesay halved the deficit after a cross-field ball made its way out to the former Blackpool midfielder who bypassed Brad Roscoe by cutting inside and sending a low effort goalwards, which scrambled into the far corner of the net.
With time running out for the visitors, Radcliffe were well in charge and almost scored a fourth which would’ve wrapped up all three points. Substitute Josh Hancock’s header could only ricochet off the crossbar from inside the six-yard area after an inch-perfect corner by Danny Greenfield allowed the midfielder to rise highest.
After four minutes of additional time, the referee sounded the full-time whistle to confirm Radcliffe’s rise up to 19th in the table, heading into a midweek clash against Chester at the Neuven Stadium.
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