OLD BOLTONIANS...2

RADCLIFFE AMATEURS...0

THIS was another disappointing result for Radcliffe Amateurs against lowly Old Boltonians.

The game started at a frantic pace and Old Boltonians were in the lead within the first couple of minutes, when Radcliffe failed to clear a corner kick and left the opposing forward a clear chance of scoring -- which he duly despatched.

Amateurs' regular defenders, Rick Stevens and Scott Hannah were absent and it showed as the home team continued to attack the Radcliffe goal.

Maffia and Gugniewicz were made to work extra hard to stem the Boltonians' assaults on goal, while Danny English came close to scoring for Amateurs when his long-range shot skimmed the top of the crossbar and went over.

Old Boltonians charged forward again and it took good handling from Mike Morris in goal to keep the score at 1-0.

Dalton was as industrious as ever for Radcliffe and, with the help of Gary Andrew, they managed between them to release Isherwood and Bret Hannah up front to have shots on the opponents' goal.

Undfortunately each time their effort either went wide or were easily cleared by a hard-working Boltonians' defence.

The game was now being played end-to-end but neither team seemed to have the ability to put the ball into the back of the net.

Wilkinson curled a free kick just over the bar, Isherwood poked a shot just wide of the upright and Tuke blasted well wide of goal.

Alan Holdsworth, recruited from Radcliffe's second team for his debut in the first, had his hands full in Amateurs' defence as the home team continued to go forward but made a credible contribution in the circumstances.

As half-time approached, Radcliffe were showing signs of nerves and frustration as, no matter how hard they tried, they couldn't get the final reward of a goal.

Andrew came close when he met a Wilkinson throw-in with his head but the 'keeper made a good save to keep him out.

Boltonians came on strong again and it took fierce defending from Dalton and Gugniewicz to clear the lines.

The home team pounced again, this time hitting the crossbar from a corner, and then Tuke had to head a shot off the line.

The half-time whistle was a welcome break for Radcliffe, who hadn't settled into the game at all, and it needed a good half-time talk from manager Dave Wilkinson, to revive his side's fortunes.

The re-start began the same as the initial kick-off with Old Boltonians on the attack. And it took a great save from Morris to stop a shot which was heading for goal.

The home team were then awarded a corner and, as it swung into the box, the Old Boltonians were on hand to nod it home and give themselves a 2-0 lead.

Radcliffe attempted a revival again but found it hard to keep their heads up.

Their play became lethargic as they continued to give silly balls away and began having to defend more than attack.

This meant additional pressure on Maffia, Gugniewicz and Holdsworth in defence and, if Old Boltonians' shooting had been more accurate, they could so easily have been further goals down.

Brett Hannah wasn't having much luck up front and was replaced by Shaun Scully, whose pace began to give Boltonians' defence something to think about.

Dalton saw a snap from him go just wide and Tuke shot over the bar.

As time went on, Radcliffe's frustration grew stronger and they began giving away free kicks. Morris was having to work extra hard to make acrobatic saves and survive brave one-on-one encounters with the opposition forwards.

Another Isherwood corner almost resulted in a goal for Radcliffe but Andrew watched as his header went agonisingly wide of the post.

With five minutes to go, Amateurs' growing frustration finally came to a head when Isherwood was tackled from behind and attempted to retaliate, earning himself a red card in the process.

Radcliffe's only chance after that came as an English free-kick was well saved by the 'keeper.

It will take a big change in attitude and concentration to see Radcliffe through as champions, with only five games remaining.

Their lead at the top of the Premiership has suddenly been cut to three points, with the chasing pack now having games in hand to overhaul the leaders.

Radcliffe Amateurs: Morris, Holdsworth, Maffia, Gugniewicz, Wilkinson, Dalton, Andrew, Tuke, Hannah, English, Isherwood. Sub: Scully.

Radcliffe's second team had a better day at home to Old Boltonians' second, where they came out winners by 3-2. Darren McGlynn scored two of the goals and Steve Gardner the other.