RADCLIFFE made it it five wins on the bounce with a brilliant victory over Basford United

It was a statement 3-0 win against the promotion-chasers as two in-form teams met at the Neuven Stadium.

An early goal from Ben Wharton was followed by second-half strikes by Tyrese Sinclair and Matthew Wolfenden to give the hosts a deserved three points in a brilliant team performance.

The victory leaves Boro seventh in the BetVictor League Premier Division table, outside the play-offs on goal difference alone.

Before either team had chance to really settle Wharton struck a second-minute goal. Prince Heywood, filling in at right-back, lofted a ball into the box and a defensive mix-up from the Basford defenders saw an attempted clearance fall straight to Wharton.

He snapped up the chance, guiding the ball past Kieran Preston to give Jon Macken’s team a dream start.

Basford looked to respond to the early setback and began to carve out chances. Firstly, Liam Batemen wormed his way inside the box and drilled a shot towards goal but Ollie Martin was more than equal to it.

Then a corner was met by Cieron Keane, who headed down into the path of Courey Grantham, Martin doing brilliantly to block the shot at close range.

Radcliffe looked to respond to the visitors’ efforts and produced a moment of high quality.

Harry Winter’s ball over the top was cushioned beautifully by Sinclair who then charged into the box, letting fly and only being denied by Preston’s fingertips.

Although Rick Smith headed over the bar and Matthew Crothers was thwarted by Preston, Radcliffe would have to wait until the 72nd minute to find the second goal, scored on a counter-attack.

Martin managed to scramble the ball away from the Boro goal and lumped the ball towards Wolfenden.

He flicked on to Sinclair who raced in on goal and finished low past the keeper.

Sinclair went close to doubling his tally moments later but his shot was blocked on the line.

But Wolfenden wrapped up the points in style right at the death with another goal coming from a Basford attack. A corner was cleared forward towards Wolfenden who, one-on-one with a defender, beat his man and rounded Preston before slotting into an empty net.

It was Boro’s sixth win in seven games, and they have the joint-best defensive record in the division alongside high flyers South Shields, after conceding just 11 goals in 14 games.

Radcliffe have a short trip to Ashton United this Saturday.