RADCLIFFE BOROUGH are bang on course for their 2001-2002 season promotion target as they bid to go nap again on Saturday, writes STEVE BOTT.
Lincoln United are the visitors to Stainton Park (kick-off 3pm) for Boro's fifth league game of the season as they aim to notch up a hat-trick of five-goal performances with just seven games played so far.
A 5-0 home thrashing of Witton Albion was followed by Tuesday night's 5-2 win at Atherton LR in the FA Cup and now manager Kevin Glendon and his men will be aiming to keep up their impressive scoring rate -- 17 goals for and just six against in six games.
The statistics make even better reading when restricted to the league, with four games played and ten points collected, leaving the Boro unbeaten with nine goals for and just the one conceded.
Glendon was doubly delighted to see his men get back on track at Crilly Park on Tuesday night before resuming league action following the hiccup in the first match against Atherton LR last Saturday.
"It was great to score five goals again, but really we could have been 7-1 up at half-time," said Glendon. "We're as confident as we can expect to be, although Lincoln won 4-1 themselves at North Ferriby in the league on Tuesday night, so it's going to be a hard game on Saturday."
Boro will be without defender Simon Kelly again, but he is pencilled in for a possible return a week on Saturday after recovering from the foot injury he sustained in the pre-season friendly at Ramsbottom United.
Skipper Mark Dempsey will be in the squad following his return from injury and suspension with a ten-minute run-out at Crilly Park on Tuesday night.
Glendon has no other injury worries following the cup win, which takes Boro on to a first qualifying round tie at Farsley Celtic a week on Saturday (September 15).
Saturday's game will be another barometer for the crowd with Lincoln, like next Tuesday night's visitors, Gretna, not expected to bring many supporters.
Crowds have remained below 200 so far, with the biggest being the 181 that witnessed the 2-0 win over Matlock Town on August 25.
"Looking round at the crowds last night, I'm not too disappointed with our attendances so far," said Glendon. "Nobody got more than 200, so if we can get another 60. I will be happy. These next two gates will refelect our true support."
Boro expect a decision on their bid for a grant towards a new £300,000 dressing room complex by the end of the month. "There were a couple of things the FA's Football Foundation people wanted to discuss with us, but we are still hopeful of getting the nod," said Glendon.
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