FA Cup preliminary round: Clitheroe...1, Radcliffe Borough...3

RADCLIFFE BOROUGH carefully stepped over this potential banana skin with an impressive victory at Shawbridge on Saturday.

Clitheroe, a team that has caused Kevin Glendon's men problems in the past, fought all the way, but the visitors proved the stronger side and booked a home tie in the next round against either Bamber Bridge or Abbey Hey.

Boro recalled Scott Wilson in midfield, with on-loan Nicky Spooner dropping out as his club, Leigh RMI, didn't want him cup-tied.

It was Wilson who set Boro on their way in the 13th minute.

Clitheroe enjoyed the better of the early exchanges, but were undone by a long ball that caused confusion between Andy Wilson and goalkeeper Kris Richens. Wilson nipped in, rounded the keeper and slotted the ball home.

With Richard Battersby looking dangerous down the right, Boro created several half chances, while Clitheroe threatened on the break, with Neil Spencer causing a few problems.

Spencer set up the equaliser in the 33rd minute, latching onto a miscued David Bean clearance to square for former Boro player Lee Cryer to score from close range.

Neill Hardy headed over and Boro had penalty appeals turned down just before the break, but they did manage to regain the lead three minutes into the second half.

Boro had been denied in the 46th minute when Simon Kelly fired over the bar following a goalmouth scramble, but two minutes later they struck when Hardy headed on a Battersby free-kick and, as goalkeeper Richens hesitated, Jody Banim nipped in to head home.

Clitheroe never gave up, but found Boro goalkeeper Danny Hurst in commanding form as he cut out a string of dangerous crosses.

Going forward, Boro looked the more purposeful, with Banim coming more into the game. He caused the home defence plenty of problems with his strength and close control, but it was midfielder Eamon Elliott who made the game safe for Boro with a 73rd minute strike.

Wilson, who grafted hard in the middle of the park, played a slide-rule through ball and Elliott applied the perfect finish past the advancing Richens.

Clitheroe refused to lie down, but Boro's well-marshalled defence held firm. Hurst was called on to make saves from Martin Aspinwall and substitute Chris Whittingham, whilst Bean mopped up most of the aerial threats.

Banim again caused panic in the home defence with a twisting run in the box, but then pulled the ball behind fellow striker Hardy with the Clitheroe defence at full stretch.

The two strikers were replaced near the end by Ian Lunt and Richard Landon, but by this time the game was safely won.

Boro proved to be that little bit better in all departments than their NW Counties opponents and deserved to progress.

Sterner tests are sure to lie ahead in the qualifying rounds.

RADCLIFFE BOROUGH: Hurst 8, Battersby 8, Whealing 7, Kelly 7, Bean 7, Wilson 8, Elliott 7, Keeling 7, Banim 7, Hardy 6, Price 7. Substitutes: Lunt (for Banim, 88 mins), Landon (for Hurst, 88 mins). Not used: Grant, Kay, Felgate.

Boro's home game against Matlock on Tuesday night was called off as the Derbyshire side were involved in a cup replay. Farsley Celtic is the next venue for Radcliffe on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).