Two goals in each half for the hosts led to Radcliffe’s Isuzu FA Trophy campaign coming to an end at the hands of National League outfit, Woking. In a rescheduled tie after Saturday’s postponement, Bernard and Jonno’s side couldn’t take their chances whilst staying alert to Woking’s threat inside their own half.

Two changes were made to the team that were victorious against Farsley Celtic on New Year’s Day, as Anthony Dudley and Tunde Owolabi returned to the starting eleven whilst Tom Walker and Olly Thornley missed out.

In the opening half-hour of the encounter, Radcliffe more than matched their higher-league counterparts and could’ve taken the lead on a number of occasions, whilst Woking were limited to very little as possession alternated between the two teams.

However, after this period the hosts began to dominate the ball and on the 37-minute mark, Tom Leahy gave Woking a one-goal lead. Lewis Walker’s clipped pass was touched down and slotted home by the Millwall loanee, before wheeling away to his left-hand side in celebration.

Immediately from the restart, Radcliffe were left to rue a gilt-edged chance which would’ve restored parity in stunningly quick fashion. Scott Duxbury clipped an outstanding ball into the box from deep and Danny Greenfield timed his run to perfection, leaping to meet the pass but his header bounced inches wide of the left post.

The away side looked set to head into the break a goal down as the fourth official added one additional minute onto the half, but Woking made the most of this time to gain a two-goal cushion agonisingly close to the break.

Leahy was at the epicentre once again, this time turning provider by breezing past Duxbury before setting up Walker to drive a low effort into the back of the net, putting Woking in a good position with only 45 minutes of the tie remaining.

After the restart, Radcliffe needed a positive spell at the beginning of the half in order to stand any chance of an epic comeback, but Woking all but ended those hopes almost instantly as Walker doubled his tally for the evening.

With possession at his feet and space to run into, the forward made the most of the opportunity and punished Radcliffe with a clinical finish into the far corner of the net, away from the outstretched Mateusz Hewelt from the edge of the 18-yard area with 48 minutes on the clock

After the introduction of Luca Navarro to the fray, the Boro’s match winner in the last round, Radcliffe’s best chance of the tie at that stage couldn’t be converted as Jordan Hulme played the ball in behind for Tunde Owolabi with a one-on-one opportunity, but the Belgian could only strike straight at Will Jaaskelainen in the Woking sticks, despite having acres of space to pick his spot.

Hewelt was called into action to keep out a spot kick which would’ve completed Walker’s hat-trick with 15 minutes remaining after Rick Smith was deemed to have handled the ball in the box, but the goalkeeper was equal to the tame penalty down to his right-hand side, keeping the scoreline at 3-0 momentarily.

In a crazy four-minute period, Danny Greenfield almost netted a brace in quick succession with two golden opportunities to dispatch a consolation for Radcliffe. His first effort cannoned off the outside of the post from a narrow angle, before putting his head in his hands as the midfielder blazed over from 10 yards out with the goal gaping, after excellent work from Hulme in the build up.

Woking then wrapped up their Fifth Round spot just before the end of the 90 as substitute Matt Ward bundled over the line from close range, booking a meeting with Gainsborough Trinity at the Kal Group Stadium on the 1st of February.

Referee Abigail Byrne blew the full-time whistle after four minutes of additional time, confirming Radcliffe’s exit out of the 2024/25 Isuzu FA Trophy following a memorable campaign once again.

Radcliffe will look to make it back-to-back league victories at the Neuven Stadium this Saturday, as South Shields visit Greater Manchester for matchday 23 of our National League North season – buy your tickets online here!