RADCLIFFE Borough boss Paul McGuire believes the goals-for column could prove the big difference for the team this season.

Boro won their first home outing against Prescot Cables 3-1 on Tuesday thanks to a Sam Grimshaw brace and a second penalty in as many matches for summer arrival Chris Mason.

Two goals apiece in the opening Evo-Stik Division One North matches has provided encouragement for the Boro boss who knows getting goals from his forward line will aid the challenge further up the table this campaign.

McGuire said: “Everybody knows goals win you games and we have started well with Chris and Sam getting straight off the mark.

“That can definitely help us and it already has with us winning our first home game.

“We were not quite ourselves at Brighouse on Saturday against a side new to the division and up for it, and we paid the price with defeat.

“But we saw the right response against Prescot and it could have been more emphatic such was our performance.

“We moved Sam (Grimshaw) to the right so he could come inside on his left foot and cause problems. The whole team shaped up well and it was good to get that first win so soon.

“As we saw last season, you can fall behind early and be playing catch-up.”

While former Manchester City academy star Grimshaw is now in his second season at Stainton Park, it is Mason’s first after impressing on a trial.

McGuire is confident he will prove to be a useful acquisition and bring a wealth of experience despite still being just 24 years old.

Mason has played for Welsh side Bala Town, Guiseley, Chorley, Clitheroe and Florianna in Malta but was in between clubs before being handed a chance at Radcliffe.

The Boro boss added: “Chris has started well with two goals – albeit both from the penalty spot. He brings great experience at this level and not only is he a good target man to play off but also has an eye for goal.

“If he could get 15-plus goals this year it would be a big boost for us.”

Boro are on home soil again on Saturday when they welcome Lancaster City to Stainton Park.

They will go into the game with confidence after the midweek victory but McGuire admits the performance level will need to be as high against a City side that have opened up with back-to-back wins and came from 2-0 down to triumph at Burscough on Tuesday.

He said: “They are a good team and have started well.

“At the back end of last season they were the best side we faced in the run-in. But our lads can take a lot of positives from the display on Tuesday when it could have ended up 6-1, so we are confident of another good result.”