Academy record fine away victory

Belper imposed most of the early pressure and Josh Bullock forced home ‘keeper Joel Fletcher into a fine save when he tipped over a shot from the edge of the area.

Morgan Mighty beat away a shot from Kai Henderson as Boro’ caught Nailers with a swift breakaway but it Fletcher who again came to the home side’s rescue minutes later, when he brilliantly saved Ethan Camm’s superbly struck shot, with a little help from the woodwork.

But Radcliffe went closer still when a free kick from fully 35 yards bounced back off the crossbar and Miguel, following up, could only find the woodwork again with this header.

But the Nailers struck the opening goal after 24 minutes when Joel Cain met Ethan Camm’s free kick and headed in at the far post.

Josh Bullock had the ball in the net a few minutes later, only to be denied by a late offside flag after the referee appeared to have given the goal.

It was all Belper at this stage as they threatened to add freely to their goal tally and Camm could have added to it with another great run that ended with a shot that was inches away from the right hand post.

The Nailers started the second period as they had ended the first, as they pinned the home side back into defence.

Josh Craddock burst through and fired narrowly over and then Camm beat his man, cut inside and fired in a shot that was palmed away by Fletcher.

But Belper finally got a deserved second goal after 52 minutes although it carried a huge slice of good fortune when a cross from Oliver Rathband sailed over everyone and dropped just inside the far post.

Fletcher was back in action again, palming away a shot from Joel Cain and the Belper centre forward then headed wide when well placed.

Boro’s Kai Henderson earned himself a caution after the latest of a number of reckless challenges, this time on Josh Craddock, as frustration began to get the better of him.

Fletcher again reacted superbly to prevent Joel Cain from adding a third goal whilst Miguel spurned a great opportunity to reduce the arrears for Radcliffe with a wayward finish from a good position.

In the end, Belper could be pleased with their performance, particularly Sam Weston and Dan Watson who were majestic at the heart of Belper’s central area.

Radcliffe Borough: Fletcher, Hayes, Granner, McGuigan, Heppenstall, Costello, Jevons, Henderson, Eardley, Miguel, Herety. Subs: Lowe, Bowling, Oldroyd, Roberts, Hargreaves

Belper Town: Mighty, Gandola, Rathband, Watson, Higton, Weston, Camm, Craddock, Cain, Taylor, Bullock. Subs: Patrick, Webster, Hall, Dronfield, Walker, Repton (GK)