Prescot Cables1 Radcliffe Borough 1 (From St Helens Star)

Prescot Cables1 Radcliffe Borough 1

10:09am Monday 20th August 2012 in Sport

Prescot Cables and Radclffe Borough shared the spoils in a competitive encounter at Valerie Park.

Cables dominated the first half and got off to a flying start with a well taken goal from new striker Jonathan Bathurst after only four minutes.

Radcliffe however got back in the game with an equaliser just before half time and the second half proved much more even with both sides having opportunities to win the game.

Cables new look team included just four players from last season and Manager Dave Powell appears to have assembled a strong squad of players.

The game started in bright sunshine, and it was Cables who applied the early pressure.

After just four minutes a quickly taken free kick by Jack Webb put Jonathan Bathurst through who rounded the goalkeeper and neatly slotted home. It was just the start Cables needed and they sought to capitalise on this early lead.

After 11 minutes Cables almost increased their lead when from another free kick taken by Dempsey Barker neatly turned a defender and fired just wide of the left post.

On 17 minutes and from another free kick awarded for a foul on Thomas taken by Dempsey the Radcliffe keeper fumbled the ball then gathered it at the second attempt.

Thomas then had shot cleared for a corner after good work by Bathurst and then had another shot blocked. Bathurst fired over after 22 minutes as Cables applied constant pressure. Radcliffe’s first effort on goal came on 25 minutes when Jones fire high over the bar.

There was a lot of good passing movement from Radcliffe as they weaved pretty patterns across the pitch but very little in the way of clear cut scoring opportunities. Thomas produced a fine chipped pass into the Radcliffe penalty area which Barker just failed to connect with.

A fine passing movement involving Thomas, Bathurst and Evans ended in the latter firing wide. Radcliffe’s Ally Brown was booked for a late challenge on Thomas after 35 minutes.

Thomas went on one of his long runs and forced the Radcliffe keeper to save his low shot from outside the penalty area. Radcliffe got back on level terms before the break when from a corner by Mortimer, Ally Brown headed on to the far post for Jones to control neatly then turn and fire home from close range.

After the break, from a free kick taken by Thomas Radcliffe keeper Culkin dropped the ball only for Jack Webb to fire into the side netting.

Radcliffe caught Cables on the counter attack and a fine cross from Hudson was cleared for a corner. Bathhurst then broke clear crossing for Barker whose goal bound effort was cleared off the line by a defender then caught by the keeper as it ricocheted off the underside of the bar.

The referee however awarded Radcliffe a free kick for offside. A low cross from Thomas just evaded Barker and from another cross from Thomas Barker’s shot was deflected wide.

A free kick taken by Thomas was headed wide at the far post by Evans. Radcliffe’s Ally Brown then went on a long run but carried the ball over the line. Cables made two substitutions in quick succession Bonnetta replacing Barker and Zgenoza replacing Bathurst.

On 73 minutes the Radcliffe keeper Culkin appeared to handle the ball outside the penalty area but this escaped the notice of the referee and linesman. As the game drew to a close both sides went in search of the winner.

A long range effort from Thomas went just wide of the left post and then Radcliffe substitute Matty Chadwick hit the underside of the bar with a cracking shot from 20 yards. Chadwick hit the woodwork again firing against the post from close range.

A fine cross from Thomas was headed away for a corner by Tierney off the head of Bonneta.

Stephen Longrigg then saved twice from Jones and Zgenoza had a late effort blocked. Prescot Cables: Longrigg, Kelly, Dempsey, Williams, Rimmer, McCulloch, Evans, Webb, Bathurst, Barker,Thomas. Substitutes: Burns, Nolan, Bonneta, Zgenoza.