RADCLIFFE Boro meet with local police chiefs this afternoon in an attempt to get next weekend's FA Cup First Round Proper tie against Nationwide Division Three outfit York played at Stainton Park. The alternative venue under consideration is Bury's Gigg Lane ground.
Manager Kevin Glendon explains, "Obviously, if we can, we'd love to play it on our own ground but the matter may well be out of our hands.
It would be a fantastic thank you to our supporters and I don't think York would relish the prospect.
However we will have to go into all the fine details with the authorities and listen to what they have to say."
One decision which has already been made is that the match will be played on Sunday November 19th.
That Radcliffe deserve such a big glamour tie is beyond question. If York had a spy in the crowd for Saturday's 2-1 replay win over Burscough the report going back will be that this Boro side is a force to be reckoned with. The second half performance in coming back from one goal deficit was nothing short of majestic as Boro played football described by Glendon as "fabulous".
Burscough had taken the lead on 29 minutes, capitalising on a nervous and tentative start from Radcliffe.
Ray Birch was pulling all the strings in midfield and his 29th minute pass caught the Boro defence square for Robbie Talbot to burst through and finish beyond keeper Danny Hurst.
Strangely the goal did more for Boro than it did for Burscough and suddenly Glendon's side looked a totally different prospect. Crucially the leveller came just before the break with a glorious finish to the best move of the game.
The tireless Mark Dempsey in midfield fed Ian Lunt down the left. The move gathered pace and Radcliffe's all time record goalscorer this time set up a teammate as he knocked the ball square for Simon Carden to slide in and convert.
The second period saw Boro up the tempo and it was far more than Burscough could live with.
On four occasions scorer Carden went close to adding to his tally but his efforts were saved or blocked
Scott Wilson had a header just over the bar before the winning goal came on 64 minutes.
Left back Tony Whealing put over an inch perfect cross for man of the match Neil Hardy to power in a header at the far post. The Premier Division outfit now had to chase the game but they were always held at arms length by a Boro unit that oozed class. Indeed it was the home side that looked the more likely to score. Lunt's power drive hit the crossbar and bounced down but out as Radcliffe always looked a threat on the break.
Burscough did have the ball in the net in the next to last minute but it was overruled for a foul on keeper Hurst.
Tempers in the visitors ranks had by this time frayed to the nerve ends and Mark Wilde received his marching orders in the very last minute for a second bookable offence.
Whatever the outcome of this afternoon's talks Boro have a massive occasion to look forward to as they take their place in the First Round Proper on merit.
York at home will hold little fear for Glendon and his team after the last two qualifying rounds have seen difficult away ties at two Premier Division outfits successfully negotiated.
Marine proceeded Burscough and on that sort of form questions could be asked about just exactly who will carry the "underdogs" tag next Sunday! ATHERTON Colls' youth policy is beginning to attract rave notices.
On Saturday Keith Snape's young side bounced back from going a goal behind at league leaders Fleetwood Freeport to register an impressive 2-1 Reserve Division Cup Preliminary Round win. Alder House secretary Emile Anderson said, "We have got all young lads in this side and some of the stuff they played on Saturday was just brilliant."
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