RADCLIFFE BOROUGH will be far better equipped for life in the UniBond Premier Division if they achieve promotion this season, writes STEVE BOTT.

Boro boss Kevin Glendon is convinced he has the sort of squad and set-up that could cope with life in the top flight of the UniBond -- and he has the backing of others too who hold the same views.

Things didn't look too hot for Glendon and Boro as they prepared for the start of the season.

Last season's top scorer Neill Hardy had been sold to Nationwide League Division One side Stockport County and Glendon was struggling to put together a strike force for the new campaign.

Then in stepped Jody Banim in a colourless and extremely flat friendly at Ramsbottom United a few days before the big kick-off and Bob's Your Uncle, Fanny's Your Aunt, everything started coming up roses.

Former Rossendale hitman Banim has now fired home 15 goals in 18 games so far this term and is the hottest thing around in the UniBond right now. Indeed, Glendon's biggest problem with Banim may well be holding on to him.

Jody will be looking for the net again on Saturday afternoon in what promises to be a cracking clash at "People's Favourites" for promotion, Harrogate Town.

Boro go into the game on the back of a superb 5-0 win over Stocksbridge Park Steels at Stainton Park on Tuesday night and Glendon said: "It was a really good team performance. I said at the beginning of the season we had a better squad, and, if we do go up, we will be better equipped." Ramsbottom United manager Mike Kelly added to the string of compliments coming Boro's way this season when he declared: "If either Radcliffe or Rossendale go up into the Premier League next season they will not be out of place. They will do well. They are certainly both good enough."

Rich praise indeed, but thoroughly deserved and Glendon added: "We didn't have Mark Dempsey, Lee Kissock or Scot Wilson last night, but the lads still did brilliantly.

"Last season it would have been me, Faz and Levi (Mike Farrelly and Levi Edwards) on the bench, so that shows you how the squad has improved.

"The boys are working quite well together and it has been really pleasing.

"Everyone I have put in at any stage of the season so far has turned in a performance, like Andy Walker for Mark Dempsey last night and there have been no moans and groans when I have slotted people into different positions like Richard Landon going from the front to the back and then switching again.

"Saturday's game against Harrogate will be a good one. They are one of the favourites and have spent some money with Neil Aspin, Ian Blackstone and Farsley Cetic scoring sensation Robbie Whellans coming on board recently.

"We are away from home. We have had some big tests already, but this is another.

"They tried to get Eamon back from Ossett before we signed him," added Glendon, indicating that there could well be a bit of edge to the game too.

Dempsey will be back on Saturday, but Wilson and Kissock are still sidelined.