RADCLIFFE Borough go into their weekend clash at home to Garforth Town with their heads held high despite two consecutive Unibond Division One North defeats.

They acquitted themselves well at high-flying Newcastle Blue Star on Saturday and were unlucky to come away empty handed after Ian Fitpatrick’s late free kick was palmed on to the post by home keeper Daniel Lowson.

That would have made the score 2-2 after the Stainton Park men had ruffled enough feathers to provoke some physical challenges from the Geordies which director of football Gerry Luczka and manager Kevin Glendon were disappointed to see unpunished by the referee.

It was also the second game in succession that the men in blue were left scratching their heads over some highly questionable decisions by the match officials. The FA are yet to adjudicate on the controversial dismissal of left wing-back Owen Roberts during the previous week’s defeat at Harrogate Railway Athletic and the outcome of a report by the Boro officials on the all-round performance of the match referee has yet to be aired.

Luczka was upbeat as he prepared his side for the weekend despite the double defeat.

“I was very pleased with the way we adapted our style of play to Newcastle Blue Star,” he said. “We are a passing side and so are they, but what made it particularly difficult was that the pitch was not in a good condition.

“A game of rugby had been played on Wednesday and there was quite a lot of divots all over the pitch.

“We applied ourselves well against a good side, and in the second half they were hanging on at times.

“Their keeper has made a wonderful save from Fitzy’s free-kick from outside the box.

“From what we’ve seen so far this season, we can compete with anybody and we’re going into the game on Saturday full of optimism.”

Boro are expected to keep faith with their front pairing of Ian Fitpatrick and Adam Roscoe with last season’s top scorer Steve Howson working his way back to form. Luczka also believes Roberts has added a new dimension on the left of their 3-5-2 formation.