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Radcliffe book final berth

13/ 3/2008

FOOTBALL: RADCLIFFE Borough continued their amazing cup exploits on Saturday by booking a place in the UniBond League’s President’s Cup final.

Craig Dawson’s scrambled 26th minute strike gave them a 1-0 semi-final success at UniBond League Division One North rivals Ossett Albion. And with Radcliffe belying their lowly league status in cup competitions all season, they will fancy their chances of upsetting non-league giants FC United in the final.

Ossett lie eighth in the league and they beat Radcliffe 3-2 away from home in September. But Radcliffe have developed a knack for lifting themselves for cup games and they are now one step away from winning their first cup competition since 1970.

Relegation-threatened Radcliffe were hoping to enhance their survival chances as the Advertiser went to press last night, Wednesday, March 12. They were scheduled to play a league game at home to fourth-placed Bradford Park Avenue.

Borough lie bottom of the table. But, with just one team going down at the end of the season, Radcliffe could be saved from the drop by mid-table Newcastle Blue Star.

The north east side have asked to be relegated from the league at the end of the season because they are struggling to cope with the travelling that the league requires.

If the league gives the Newcastle team what they want Radcliffe would retain their first division status regardless of their on-field results.

Radcliffe face another double-header of fixtures this coming week. They play third-placed Bamber Bridge at home in the league on Saturday, March 15, kick-off 3pm, and host fifth-placed FC United in the Manchester Premier Cup semi-finals on Tuesday, March 18, kick-off 7.45pm.

Meanwhile, Radcliffe striker Steve Howson says that he is aiming to triple his best ever goal-tally this season by finishing the campaign with 35 strikes to his name.

He has netted 26 times so far.