Ryan Wilson gave us a first half lead with a stunning free-kick. The second half then saw us score twice as Kane Richards fired home before Matt Thornhill converted from the spot after Rev James was fouled.

We then showed our defensive qualities to hold onto a deserved clean sheet.

We made just one change from the side that lost last time out. Callum Chettle dropped out for Niall Towle.

We started really quickly as Richards drew a good stop from Cam Belford after just 47 seconds but the corner was dealt with by the hosts. Towle then went close just a couple of minutes later. The striker did well to hold off a defender and glances Ryan Wilson’s cross just wide of the post.

That start was rewarded on nine minutes. Wilson stood over a free-kick some 30 yards out and spotted Belford out of position and just bent the ball back across goal and into the back of the net.

Thornhill then went close to doubling our lead on 15 minutes after Kyle Dixon had been fouled following a great run, but our skipper’s effort was just the wrong side of the post.

The hosts did have a chance on 25 minutes but their captain Matthew Crothers’ effort was tame and did not both Kieran Preston who saw it past his post. But we were soon back on the attack as Dixon slid through Towle who forced a good save from Belford.

Darren McKnight then forced Preston into a good stop before Wilson smashed the ball over from range. Then as the clock ticked down Javid Swaby-Neavin called Preston into action again. Then deep into first half stoppage time Preston ensured we went into the break ahead with a fingertip save from Kole Hall’s header.

Radcliffe started the second half on the attack with Jean-Louise Akpa-Akpro heading over at the back post. Their pressure continued but we scored the next goal. Richards got away down the left and curled the ball over Belford and into the back of the net.

It was quickly 3-0 as Thornhill got on the scoresheet. James burst into the area and was fouled, leaving Thornhill to send Belford the wrong way to extend our lead even further.

We were under a bit of pressure towards the 80-minute mark as Preston did well to keep out Cole. It was the all hands-on deck as several Radcliffe players had efforts blocked and we scrambled the ball clear.

Andy Owens did have Preston beat eight minutes from time but the substitutes effort was wide of the post. He then saw another effort blocked after Akpa-Akpro saw an effort saved again by Preston.

That resolute defending continued until the final whistle as we did well to hold on for a first clean sheet of the season

Starting XI: 1-Preston, 2-Roma, 3-Wilson, 4-Thornhill (Dunn), 5-Galinski, 6-Carr, 7-Dixon,
8-Howes, 9- Towle, 10- Richards (Carvell), 11- James (Marshall)

Up next: HOME vs Bamber Bridge
17/10/2020
Kick-off 3:00pm.