Match Report
The table gap was wide: 35 points between South Shields (2nd, 95 pts) and Radcliffe Borough (13th, 60 pts). South Shields had been under-performing their position — 10th on five-round form against 2nd in the table. Against a league average of 1.53 goals per team per game, Radcliffe Borough ran at 1.65 scored and 1.8 conceded, South Shields at 2.15 and 0.93.
Radcliffe Borough's winless run stood at 9. Recent form was uneven: 1/15 points for Radcliffe Borough, 7/15 for South Shields.
The head-to-head ledger counts 5 games: 2 Radcliffe Borough wins, 2 for South Shields, 1 draw, at 2.2 goals per meeting.
Neuven Stadium, capacity 3,000, hosted the game. South Shields led 2-1 at the break, and the second half added 4 goals for the 2-5 full-time score.
Goal scorers
Radcliffe Borough: Rio Clegg (82'), David Ball (33') · South Shields: Oliver Bainbridge (51'), Sean McGurk (58'), Will Jenkins (61'), Paul Blackett (6'), Paul Blackett (3')
Key stats
Possession: Radcliffe Borough 32% · South Shields 68% · Total shots: 14-21 · On target: 7-11 · Corners: 3-5