BORO UP THE RIGHT AVENUE
RADCLIFFE got back to winning ways with a demolition of Bradford Park Avenue – and their lead at the summit stretched to four points after Warrington Rylands were held at Marine.
League leaders Boro saw off Avenue, under new boss Danny Whitaker, 3-0 thanks to Josh Hancock’s double either side of Jordan Hulme’s strike.
Hancock put Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley’s side ahead inside five minutes when he headed Brad Jackson’s cross in off the underside of the bar.
Hulme extended the lead on 34 minutes when Luca Navarro back heeled Jackson’s ball across the face back into the danger area where the former Altrincham striker had a simple finish.
And the third came from another Jackson delivery from the right, Hancock again wellplaced to head in.
“It was much-needed,” Johnson said. “We’d lost three out of our last four, lost our last two. Two of the performances weren’t bad but Saturday against Hyde wasn’t good enough so there was a bit of soul-searching in terms of how we bounce back. That was the perfect way.”
Rylands led 1-0 at Marine when Adama Sidibeh was on hand to finish a rebound from close range on 18 minutes.
But, in front of a 1,529 crowd, Manasse Mampala’s low drive levelled before the break as Marine stay fourth.
Macclesfield remain fifth after goalless draw with playoff chasing Hyde United.
The Tigers are seventh on goal difference below Whitby Town, who beat Morpeth
Town 1-0 thanks to Jacob Gratton’s low finish despite playing almost an hour with ten men after Junior Mondal picked up a secon booking.
Hammering
Ashton United, also on 38 points, are eighth, after late defeat against FC United. James Hardy equalised for the Robins on 82 minutes, soon after FC had Jordan Buckley sent off. But the Red Rebels, who led through Max Woodcock, won it just four minutes later thanks to Aaron Bennett.
Worksop Town enjoyed a late winner in their home game against Basford United to win 1-0 and stay third. Jay Rollins was the hero, taking down Liam Hughes’ cross, flicking past a defender with his right foot before hammering in with his left.
It was a day for late drama – ten-man Bamber Bridge came from behind to beat Lancaster City 2-1 with goals from Danny Forbes and Jack Baxter, either side of Lamine Toure’s red card.
Adam Boyes hit a hat-trick as troubled Marske United won 3-2 at Guiseley, while Jonny Margetts was the difference for Matlock Town in their 1-0 victory over Ilkeston Town.
Jordan Scanlon hit a double, including the winner in Atherton Collieries’ 4-3 thriller with Workington.
Kaiman Anderson scored twice as bottom of the table Stafford Rangers thumped Gainsborough Trinity 4-0.