Boro one step closer to glory
Scarborough Athletic have secured their place in the play-offs following a five-star performance on Saturday.
BORO 5 RADCLIFFE 1
It was a five-star performance for Scarborough Athletic on Saturday as they swept aside opponents Radcliffe at the Flamingo Land Stadium. Michael Coulson struck twice, while James Walshaw, Max Wright and Chris Dawson chipped.
It was Boro who took the lead with just four minutes on the clock, despite battling their way into a stiff wind.
Michael Coulson flicked James Walshaw in on goal and things were never in doubt as the striker fired in.
Boro shut off from the restart though and some sharp play allowed Kingsley Williams to equalise.
Steve Kittrick’s men were looking at their most dangerous in attack though and within minutes they had cruised clear of their rivals.
Things could have been different though, as just seconds after Radcliffe’s leveller, James Hooper took advantage of an error at the back, but he lobbed wide with Tommy Taylor beaten.
Boro weren’t in the mood to be wasteful at the other end and Max Wright glided onto a Coulson ball to roll them back into the ascendancy.
Then, having orchestrated the opening two goals, Coulson scored one of his own.
Collecting a Walshaw ball on the edge of the box, he danced through a string of challenges and lifted beautifully into the top corner.
Things cooled a touch, before Walshaw almost made it four on the half-hour.
Finding his way onto a Coulson free-kick, Walshaw hit a first-time shot that hit the post and bounced away.
Walshaw should have added to his total right on the half-time whistle when he rose to meet a Coulson cross four yards out, but he didn’t get enough on it and the ball grazed the post on the way out for a goal-kick.
It was a much more sedate start to the second half, with
Boro having all but finished their job, while making sure that they didn’t allow Radcliffe a lifeline.
A moment of brilliance from Wright provided a highlight, but his audacious effort with the outside of his boot hit the of the post.
Radcliffe were almost gifted a path back into the game when Luke Dean was robbed, but sub Jordan Bove lacked conviction with his finish, bending it wide.
In the end it was a moment of controversy involving Radcliffe keeper Connor Keane that wrapped the whole thing up for Boro.
Referee David Holbrook adjudged that the custodian had thrown Walshaw to the ground and he pointed to the penalty spot.
Coulson rubbed salt into the wounds by sending Keane the wrong way.
Things boiled over in the aftermath, with an apoplec- tic Radcliffe boss Jon Macken being sent to the stand for his protests.
With Radcliffe losing their heads, sub Chris Dawson made the perfect start to his home debut by making it 5-1 to Boro with a sweet drive from 25 yards.
That proved to be enough punishment for a battling Radcliffe side, with Boro sealing a fine week in superb style.
Boro were left frustrated by the elements when their game against Tadcaster Albion at the i2i Stadium on Easter Monday was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.
Kittrick’s side are set to be back in action on Saturday when they make the trip to struggling Goole before a return clash at Radcliffe on Tuesday evening.
There is a supporter’s coach heading to both of these away games.
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