Boozy Wonderland!

WITTON ALBION 0 RADCLIFFE BOROUGH 2: GOALSCORERS Simon Kelly and Jody Banim were the toast of Radcliffe Borough at the Bargain Booze Stadium on Saturday as Kevin Glendon's men got their promotion challenge back on track.

Borough were without Richard Battersby and Eamon Elliott, both suspended, but were still the better side against an in-form Witton Albion.

The game was, in truth, a bitty affair, but Borough did show some glimpses of fluent football in the second half to collect three very welcome points.

The first half was largely forgettable. Banim made one mazy run, but shot over and then couldn't quite gain possession when Albion keeper Whitehead collided with Clegg, leaving his goal unguarded.

Danny Hurst had to be alert to deny Albion danger man Simon Burton as the home team enjoyed the majority of the play and it was Burton who gave Borough problems with a late tackle on James Price in the ninth minute. Price eventually continued, but was withdrawn from the action at half-time.

Both trainers were in constant action as a bad-tempered affair threatened to explode, but referee Dunn managed to keep control without resorting to the use of his cards.

Price was replaced by new boy Barrie Keeling at half-time and manager Glendon also made a tactical switch, replacing Richard Landon with Lee Kissock. The changes had the desired effect as Borough began to show much more movement. Mark Dempsey emerged as the dominant figure in midfield with Kissock causing the home defence problems.

And Kissock it was who almost broke the deadlock four minutes after the break, volleying just wide.

The opening goal arrived in the 55th minute. Borough won a corner when David Bean's header from a free-kick was headed behind, and, from Dempsey's delightfully flighted flag kick, Simon Kelly rose unopposed in the six-yard box to head home.

Borough had now begun to move the ball around with more confidence, with wing backs Tony Whealing and Keeling eager to get forward.

Witton found Boro's defence well-marshalled by Gus Wilson, and it was Wilson who set up Boro's second goal with a long ball out of defence after 69 minutes.

Banim controlled the ball with two defenders in close attendance. He cleverly outwitted them before chipping the ball delicately over the advancing Whitehead.

As Boro sought to extend their lead, they were almost caught out by a swift counter-attack. Danny Hurst was quickly out to block, but the ball broke towards goal, rolling just wide.

The trainers were again much in evidence as the home team's efforts became increasingly desperate. But despite the changes in the Boro defence, Albion rarely looked like scoring.

Boro almost added a third when Mark Dempsey fired in a 25-yard shot that drifted just wide, then Mr Dunn's patience finally ran out in the 88th minute when he booked Whealing for a rash challenge, but took no action when the same player was flattened in the last minute.

The result keeps Boro in second place and clear of the chasing pack. It will also have given manager Glendon, back in the dug out again after his recent illness, a welcome boost.

RADCLIFFE BOROUGH: Hurst 7, S Kelly 7, Whealing 7, G Wilson 7, Bean 7, Dempsey 8, E Kelly 7, S Wilson 7, Landon 6, Banim 7, Price 7. Substitutes: Kissock (for Landon, 45 mins) 7, Keeling (for Price, 45 mins) 7, Collins (for E Kelly, 89 mins).