Stainton Park, home of Radcliffe FC based in Greater Manchester and play their trade in Step 3 of the Non League in the Northern Premier League. Nicknamed the “Boro” as the club was once called “Radcliffe Borough” but have recently changed their name to Radcliffe FC.
2023 is here! 2022 was a fantastic year of football that only Mansfield Town could try and spoil but they didn’t… Except for Wembley anyway but if 2023 is half as good as 2022 was then we are all in for a treat! We’re starting the year off in style with the Merry Miller in Greater Manchester for Radcliffe FC vs FC United of Manchester which should bring in a bumper crowd! And a bit of atmosphere too!
So it’s straight onto the M1 and onto the M62 and into Radcliffe for the last 20 minutes of the old firm derby. £2 for parking and £10 to watch this Greater Manchester tie! Happy New Year! A few ex Rotherham players in the vicinity today and the Merry Miller is on an autograph hunt. A very warm welcome from the Chairman who had the advice that the Merry Miller was looking for, on a very good run of friendly chairmen at the moment!
Rangers are 2-1 up against Celtic, can they respond…? 88th minute and they get into the Rangers box, it falls nicely for KYOGO… It’s there! Celtic are level! That’s how it finishes. Hopefully one day I will be able to report on that from the stand!!
The ground is packed here now as kick off draws nearer, could be nearly 2,000 here today! Out come the teams. It’s a new year for football, LET’S HAVE IT!!
Kick Off! “This badge is your badge! This badge is my badge! 3 Stripes and 3 sails! Oh what a fine badge! They tried to take it! But we replaced it! On the shirt of United FC!” FC United fans in good spirits so far!
5 minutes in and Radcliffe have a free kick just outside the box on the right in a crossing position, Nicky Adams delivers, Rick Smith rises highest… And he’s headed home off the bar!! Radcliffe take the lead and it’s the first goal of 2023 for me! The first of many! “This is the worst trip I’ve ever been on!” FC United fans timed that bit of their Sloop John B song… 1-0!
14th minute and United play the ball forward, Regan Linney gets into the box on the right and he shoots… Keeper gets his leg to it and it’s away. FC United fans still in good spirits here!
27 minutes gone and United play forward down the left with Regan Linney and he charges into the box, he shoots… Keeper saves and it’s a corner for United. It’s played short, it’s played in… Radcliffe clear.
5 minutes later and Radcliffe hit it forward, it’s head tennis now as players from both teams head it back and forth, United head it back towards the keeper… Luca Navarro might get there first… he does… Saved! United get away with that one!
42 minutes on the clock and United come forward, Paul Ennis is played through in the box and he’s in… OH! He’s hit it straight at the keeper! That should be 1-1 but it isn’t… At half time the score here is 1-0 to Radcliffe.
Second half, 52 minutes now and Radcliffe come forward, they get it out left and it’s played into the middle, the header… GOAL… The flag is up! It won’t count.
62nd minute and United come forward down the right, a heavy touch by Michael Potts sees Matthew Grivosti step in to see it out, he’s hit it forward… Oh dear he’s put it on a plate for Joe Rodwell-Grant… OH HE’S MISSED IT… He’s put it over from close range… That was the chance for United right there!
United not getting in behind as fluidly as the first half and Radcliffe are defending well here. The United fans are not as loud as the first half as they seem to have split up in numbers around the ground but the Radcliffe fans back in the stand are in good spirits this time. A record crowd of 2,081 are here today! Fabulous stuff!
84th minute and United get it out right, it’s crossed in, keeper comes and punches it and it falls for Luke Griffiths to volley from the edge of the box… Wide!
We’re into stoppage time here and United have a corner, it’s played short, it’s played back to the taker who plays it to Regan Linney who shoots… Over!
Play goes on… United are throwing everything at Radcliffe now. United play the ball into the box, it’s fallen for Callum Gribbin to shoot… It’s come off Regan Linney and Radcliffe get it away… It’s just not United’s day is it?
One last chance for United who play a long ball into the middle from the right, it’s headed across goal… The keeper gets there and falls to the floor… That’s it! It’s a happy new year for Radcliffe FC!
FT: Radcliffe FC 1-0 FC United of Manchester
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 7/10 – United fans better out of the 2 and what a fanbase they are! The second half not as good as the first half with them being split up and not in a stand to echo the sound sadly.
- The Ground: 9/10 – A LOT better than I thought! A stand behind each goal and on the one side with a little standing terrace on the other. It’s got everything you need to progress into the higher divisions!
- Expense: 7/10 – £40 for fuel, £10 to get in, £3.50 for a pin badge and £5 for food, was it worth it? A bit much I think…
- Overall Experience: 7/10 – Brilliant to be a part of the United fans today… Even as a Liverpool fan… A decent competitive game but the second half was a bit of a drag… Great to meet the Radcliffe chairman today and another successful day with the Merry Miller!
30/40