JON Macken has urged his players to be more ruthless in front of goal.

The Radcliffe FC manager says he wants to reignite the early-season flame which saw them begin the campaign with a seven-game winning streak in which they scored 19 goals.

Macken, in his first full season in charge at the Neuven Stadium, has seen the goals come fewer and further between – although they are still handily-placed in sixth in the Evo-Stik West table, eight points behind leaders Atherton Collieries, with games in hand on all the teams above them ahead of Saturday's home game against Market Drayton Town.

And he wants to see a return to the formidable form in front of goal from those prolific early weeks.

"If I could improve anything at this point it would be to regain our ruthlessness from earlier in the season," he said.

"Since then we have seemed to take our foot off the gas a little.

"I would love to see the lads go on to score two or three more when we take a one-goal lead and really put teams to the sword, which we were doing in our early games."

The Boro manager heaped praise on Ben Wharton, who has scored nine goals in 17 games, receiving five five man-of-the-match awards since joining from National League North side Curzon Ashton.

"Wharton has had a huge impact on the team since joining," said the boss. "The impact he has had after stepping down two divisions is clear. Even when he hasn't scored every game he's managed to hold the line against three or four players up there on his own at times."

"Scott Metcalfe, Shelton Payne, and Tunde Owolabi have all had an excellent season so far in front of goal, as well as Michael Fowler who got a hat-rick in game against Prescot Cables.

"Having capable goalscorers in different positions is definitely benefitting the team this year."