Bend it like Erik

The game was relatively even in the opening half hour with both sides vying to gain a degree of control on the uneven playing surface.

Belper eventually began to gain the upper hand and squandered a number of presentable chances before Josh Bullock finally bundled the ball over the line from close range after 32 minutes.

Boro’s central defender, Lewis Costello was cautioned by the referee for aiming a kick at the goal scorer and when his anger failed to subside, the Boro’ management team decided to substitute the errant defender. But a further tirade of bad temper and an ill-judged expletive forced the match official to dismiss Costello.

A collective breakdown of discipline followed in the Boro’ ranks which clearly took the visitors’ eyes off the ball and allowed Belper to gain control of the game.

And when Boro’s ‘keeper Joel Fletcher could only get the merest of touches to Josh Craddock’s free kick, the Nailers went into the interval with a two-goal advantage.

Radcliffe allowed their tempers to cool during the interval and reduced their arrears when Michael Herety broke away down the right and fired the ball low into the net in off the far post.

But the respite was only temporary as moments later Josh Bullock got onto the end of a low cross from the left to turn the ball in at the far post.

Tom Rodgers made it 4-1 with a searing shot into the top corner from 18 yards and the collective resolve of the Radcliffe team seemed to evaporate from that point.

Substitute, Erik Walker could hardly miss from point blank range after a mix up in the Radcliffe defence before Dan Watson scored the first of his hat-trick with a delightful lob over the stranded ‘keeper.

A further period of dominant possession allowed Watson to show great finesse to add his second goal and his hat trick came shortly afterwards with a superb first-time finish that gave Joel Fletcher no chance as the Nailers extended their lead to 8-1.

Adam Leach scored a consolation goal for Radcliffe before Erik Walker bent in a superb free kick from the corner of the penalty area to top off a fine performance from the Belper youngsters.

Belper Town: Repton, Gandola, Patrick, Craddock, Weston, Hall, Bradbury, Watson, Camm, Taylor, Bullock. Subs: Rodgers, Rathband, Walker, Cain, Mighty

Radcliffe Borough: Fletcher, Granner, Bowling, Roberts, Costello (L), Daniels, Ashcroft, Henderson, Lowe, Leach, Herety. Subs: Hayes, Eardley, Gould, Hargreaves, Costello (R), McGuigan

Referee: Chris Houghton