JORDAN Hulme scored twice - including a stoppage time winner - as Radcliffe came from behind to win 2-1 at Warrington Town to set up a mouth-watering tie with local rivals Bury in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup, writes Kieran Wilson.
Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson named an unchanged team following last weekend’s 2-2 draw away at Southport, but there were notable inclusions on the bench as both Nicky Adams and Ewan Bange returned to the squad following injury - while former Bolton Wanderers and Norwich City midfielder Regan Riley was named as a substitute after signing for the club on Friday.
The opening exchanges were halted after eight minutes as Brad Roscoe went down under the high-footed challenge from Matty McDonald which began a lengthy stoppage, the defender eventually had to make way for Riley, who came on for his first Boro appearance.
Once the action got back underway, Warrington tried their luck with an effort from long range looking to open the scoring, but Jay Harris couldn’t guide on target from 30 yards as his shot dragged wide while Mateusz Hewelt scrambled to cover his bottom corner.
The first half featured very little chances but with 12 minutes of additional minutes at the end of the first 45, both sides fancied their chances of breaking the deadlock - and the hosts did just that in stunning fashion.
Lois Maynard gave Warrington a free kick in a dangerous area after bringing McDonald to the ground and Connor Woods stepped up to thump an outstanding free kick over the wall and into the top left corner from 25 yards, seven minutes into added time. That goal allowed the hosts to lead at the break, giving Radcliffe work to do to maintain their place in the FA Cup.
Three minutes into the restart, Jamie Morgan’s teasing ball across the face of the six-yard box from the byline looked to set up Scott Duxbury at the back post, his attempt at tapping home was thwarted by former Boro man Matty Grivosti, who was well placed to block for a corner.
Bohan Dixon should have given his side a two-goal cushion as the game entered the final half-hour, Harris passed through the back line for the midfielder to bear down on goal but he could only poke beyond Hewelt and wide of the left post.
Immediately following the introduction of Kyle Campbell, the 21-year-old was involved in Radcliffe’s equaliser which sparked life into the Boro to go on to claim victory.
Campbell’s clipped pass found the forward run of Josh Wardle who played it on a plate for Hulme to head home from close range, before grabbing the ball for an immediate restart with a spring in their step.
Brad Jackson and Isaac Modi entered the fray to bring new energy to both flanks, and the latter was making himself a nuisance from the off by darting down the left wing on a number of occasions, winning his team numerous corners which couldn’t be taken advantage of as the game entered five additional minutes.
The man of the hour stepped up and put Radcliffe in front three minutes into stoppage time, as Hulme managed to meet Rowe’s over-the-top ball with his chest, setting himself up to thump into the bottom corner on the half volley in front of the travelling Boro faithful.
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