Banim double puts Boro top of the form

WHEN two in-form teams met at Borough Park something had to give -- and it was Workington's nine-match unbeaten run.

Borough were forced on to the back foot for long spells, but showed tremendous commitment and not a little skill to weather the storm and hit the home side hard on the break.

On-loan Simon carden replaced the departed Nicky Spooner in midfield and showed some neat touches, but it was the defence, with David Bean outstanding, who won the top honours.

After early Workington pressure, Borough sprang from defence to take a 12th minute lead. A quickly-taken throw-in found Neill Hardy, who sprinted down the right and squared to the unmarked Jody Banim whio had time to send goalkeeper Steve Pape the wrong way to score.

Workington's pressure was well-contained with James Price providing valuable cover and Bean winning most of the aeriel battles, whilst Boro's incisive approach work threatened a second goal.

Carden linked up well with Barrie Keeling in midfield, but the latter fired over. At the other end, Danny Hurst, captaining Boro for the first time, twice went down bravely at Murray's feet and showed safe hands dealing with a series of dangerous crosses.

Boro created a chance in the 28th minute when Banim, Hardy and Tony Whealing combined well, but Banim headed over.

Seven minutes later Hardy was in the clear, but Pape produced a fine save to tuirn the ball round a post.

Workington's best chance came on 37 minutes, but Murray's lob over Hurst cleared the bar.

The pressure on Boro's defence eventually told when the Reds leading scorer, Glenn Murray, found the net after Ennis's initial effort had been blocked.

Workington continued to pressure Boro after the break with Murray always in the thick of things. Hurst clutched a header under the bar and Goulding and Wharton both drove wide when well-placed.

Boro threatened briefly with Banim always prepared to take on the home defence, but it was Workington who almost broke the deadlock, but Price and Whealing combined to block Murray's effort.

In Boro's next attack in the 70th minute they regained the lead. Hardy took advantage of a quickly-taken free-kick to force his way to the edge of the area and he wrong-footed Pape with a toe-poke into the bottom corner.

Hardy the hero became Hardy the villain in the 78th minute when he conceded a needless penalty for a challenge on Prokas. After a long delay while Prokas was treated, Murray stepped up to sky the spot-kick over the bar.

Murray almost made amends shortly afterwards, but shot wide and Williamson headed over as Workington went all out for the equaliser.

They were given a boost when the referee indicated seven minutes of added time, but it was Boro who took advantage in the 93rd minute.

Banim held the ball up on the edge of the Workington area, worked an opening past two defenders and drilled an unstoppable shot past Pape.

The home faithful left feeling hard done by, but Boro had done a thoroughly professional job, defending stoutly and taking their chances when they came.

RADCLIFFE BOROUGH: Hurst 8, Battersby 7, Whealing 7, Kelly 7, Bean 8, Keeling 7, Carden 7, Wilson 7, Hardy 7, Banim 8, Price 7. Substitutes: Landon (for Hardy 86 mins), Elliott (for Kelly 85 mins). Not used: Kay.

UniBond League Division One

P W D L F A Pts

Alfreton Town... 26 19 5 2 75 31 62

North Ferriby United... 27 15 8 4 55 26 53

Matlock Town... 29 14 7 8 51 35 49

Belper Town... 27 13 8 6 34 30 47

Radcliffe Borough... 24 13 7 4 43 29 46

Kendal Town... 27 13 5 9 51 37 44

Workington... 28 12 8 8 45 41 44

Chorley... 27 12 6 9 51 37 42

Witton Albion... 25 11 9 5 46 33 42

Spennymoor United... 20 12 3 5 42 27 39

Farsley Celtic... 26 10 8 8 41 42 38

Lincoln United... 26 10 5 11 48 44 35

Bamber Bridge... 29 9 6 14 38 43 33

Leek Town... 22 9 3 10 30 29 30

Ossett Town... 28 7 9 12 27 44 30

Guiseley... 24 7 8 9 38 39 29

Kidsgrove Athletic... 29 7 7 15 37 53 28

Rossendale United... 27 8 3 16 34 50 27

Stocksbridge PS... 22 6 6 10 29 38 24

Bishop Auckland... 26 5 4 17 29 63 19

Eastwood Town... 28 4 6 18 26 53 18

Trafford... 27 4 3 20 22 68 15