Kole Hall and his Radcliffe FC teammates cruised to a 5-1 victory over Maine Road FC in the club's first pre-season outing.
Andy Owens netted a hat-trick adding to Daz McKnight and Hall’s first-half strikes.
The first goal of the afternoon came with eight minutes on the clock. Daz McKnight found Leon Donnelly in an advanced position who squared to Hall who tapped home with ease.
Lee Fowler’s side continued to cause problems with McKnight and Jack Shiels having notable chances.
Hall had a chance to double the Radcliffe lead after a darting forward run from Raheem Hanley but his poked effort went just wide of the post.
Hanley continued to cause problems in the final third as the game went on.
Radcliffe did extend their lead with five minutes left of the half. McKnight fired a powerful shot from outside the area which found it’s way into the back of the net.
Towards the end of the first period, Maine Road piled the pressure on Radcliffe. The home side grabbed one back on the stroke of half time in a bizarre turn of events. The ball hit the post and appeared to go out of play but it ended up falling to a Maine Road forward who tapped home.
Fowler made changes at the break with Andy Owens, Luca Nivarro, Luis Morrison, and Rhain Hellawell and Jo Cummings all entering the field.
Cummings caused problems in the box early on as he headed just over from a Hellawell long throw.
On 55 minutes Owens opened his Radcliffe account. He fired a shot from the edge of the box which looked to be comfortably saved by the goalkeeper but the ball found it’s way into the back of the net after an awful mistake. Definitely a day to forget for the goalkeeper.
A minute later Owens very nearly had a second. He headed back across goal but he could only find the crossbar.
Matty Crothers then chanced his arm from range but he too could only find the crossbar.
With 60 minutes on the clock, Radcliffe added a fourth. Hellawell found Owens with a brilliant lofted cross and he slotted home at the second time of asking.
Radcliffe continued to pile the pressure on Maine Road in the second half. Nivarro fire a shot from range which stung the hands of the goalkeeper.
Joey Oldham entered the field for the final 20 minutes. Some great experience for the academy graduate.
On 78 minutes Curtis Obeng played a brilliant ball to Owens once again who passed the ball home to complete his hat-trick.
Radcliffe went in search of a sixth in the closing stages. Cummings had another effort cleared off the line.
A good day at the office for Lee Fowler’s side who started pre-season off with a bang.
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