After two positive performances over the Easter period, Radcliffe Borough assistant manager Paul McGuire believes next season could be impressive.

Boro have lost just five games in Evo-Stik Division One North since McGuire joined in January and the Easter period saw two great performances against Bamber Bridge – despite a 2-0 defeat – and a 3-1 win away at Burscough.

McGuire said: “The lads are playing with no fear and showing great excitement. “Before January, I don’t think you would have seen this coming. The 8-0 loss to Ramsbottom seemed to sort us out and we’re on 40 points now, which is brilliant.

“We’ve worked on fitness in training and improved the quality of our play, so I can’t fault the work of anybody in the squad.”

With a good mix of youth and experience at Kevin Glendon’s disposal, McGuire admits that while there will be additions, it would be difficult to see some of the players leave the current squad.

“I think it’s hard to shuffle the squad, because since January, everybody has been fantastic. “We’re looking for three or four new faces, we want a little more up front and in midfield, but everyone has done great and it won’t do any harm to have good competition for places.

“I’m looking for a top-half finish next season, maybe pushing for promotion. I can tell you right now, there is no possibility of relegation. “The boys are showing great effort and attitude. Lads like Bradley (Robinson) and Sam Grimshaw are doing wonderfully.

“We’ve got a young squad and we’re building around that. Elliot (Rokka) is a creative player in that number 10 role, I’ve been impressed with Bevan (Burey) who has been a revelation. “The experienced heads like Mark Ayres and James Mullineux help out immensely”, McGuire added.

Easter Monday’s controlled win away in West Lancashire saw Mullineux add his seventh goal of the season. The central defender has been in excellent form for Boro all season and McGuire praised the club captain’s performances.

“Mully has been fantastic for us. He’s dominant, he’s got pace and aggression and he obviously chips in with a few goals. He’s one of the lads we will look to build around next year, because he's a great player.”

Saturday sees the visit of Kendal Town to Stainton Park and Boro are hopeful of sending their fans away for the summer with a confident performance against a team 10th in the table.

The Boro assistant remarked: “It would be good to finish with a positive result. If we get a gate of around 200 to see us into the summer, then that would be ideal.”