RADCLIFFE took the Neuven Stadium bragging rights as they got the better of tenants Bury AFC as both sides had a final workout before resuming their seasons on Saturday.

Lee Fowler’s side were 2-0 winners thanks to first-half goals from Luca Navarro and Andy Owens, the striker picking himself up to score from the spot.

Boro now turn their attentions to Saturday’s trip to Mickleover in the Northern Premier League Premier Division while AFC host Garstang in the North West Counties First Division North.

Fowler was happy with his own side, but also backed the phoenix club for success in the North West Counties First Division North.

Bury Times: Andy Welsh and Lee Fowler Andy Welsh and Lee Fowler

“We played really well,” the former Wrexham and Fleetwood midfielder said after Tuesday night’s victory. “I don’t think they worked out how to play against us in the first half.

“It played into our hands then second half it’s always the same when you make a raft of changes and put a lot of young players on.

“We brought a few of the kids on and you’re always going to have that little bit of a lull.

“I thought it was a good game though and they’re a good team.

“I think they will get promoted from their league and they’ve got some very good players.”

AFC chairman Chris Murray was pleased that the mutually-beneficial game came together so quickly and used it as an opportunity to compare it to the previous meeting between the sides at the start of September, which saw Boro win 3-0.

Bury Times: Kole Hall looks to beat his manKole Hall looks to beat his man

Then the phoenix club was very much in its infancy whereas Tuesday night’s clash came with them sitting second in the First Division North and a stop-start inaugural campaign.

“It’s one of those they were very helpful in that they were able to host us,” Murray said. 

“I spoke to their chairman (Paul Hilton) and said ‘we’re looking for a friendly, it gives us a chance to check the streaming software out and gives you guys a chance to play at home in front of a crowd of 300’ and they were like ‘yeah, brilliant’.

“It’s just another way of looking at how far both teams have come in the period of time since the first meeting.

“We look like we have improved since the pre-season game and it’s a measuring stick for the lads of how far they’ve come so far.”

Both sides were also in action on Saturday, AFC running out 6-0 winners at North West Counties Premier Division side Squires Gate, three goals in 10 minutes at the start of the second half helping complete the friendly rout.

As for Boro, they won 2-1 at West Didsbury and Chorlton from the NWCL First Division South, Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro and Navarro getting the goals for Fowler’s side at the weekend.