RADCLIFFE Borough look set to continue ringing the changes when they visit Chorley’s Victory Park to face local rivals and play-off candidates Leigh Genesis tonight.
Boro’s director of football Gerry Luczka, who spent three years at Genesis during the most successful spell in their history, shuffled his pack dramatically as his men dug out a gutsy 1-1 draw at Trafford on Monday.
That followed a 3-2 win over struggling derby rivals Rossendale United at Stainton Park on Good Friday, which went some way towards atoning for the catastrophic collapse at Ossett Albion three days earlier when they surrendered a two-goal lead by conceding four goals in 12 minutes.
Matches are coming thick and fast for the men in blue, but Boro have bulked up their squad in recent weeks and Luczka is confident about making sweeping changes without upsetting his team’s rhythm.
Stand-out performers in the Trafford match were Ben Wharton, who led the line superbly without scoring, the classy former Premier League player Chris Makin – coolness personified at the back – and captain Mark Jones.
It was Jones who levelled for Boro after Trafford had taken the lead through a well-worked goal from Kyle Harrop.
Boro will be without Wharton and Jones for four and three matches respectively as a consequence of their sendings off after the 21-man brawl at Trafford in the Manchester Premier Cup semi-final two weeks ago.
Thankfully, there was no hint of a repeat on Monday when both teams went about the business of playing football in difficult blustery conditions.
“We made five changes,” Luczka said after the game. “And we will be looking to make five changes for the Leigh match, because the lads are going through a very demanding time.
“There are still plenty of games to come and we’ve got to make sure that we keep things going and freshen things up.”
Luczka now has the luxury of not having to worry about keeping his hungry-for-a-start players satisfied during the end of season run-in.
“Six months ago, there’s no way some of the lads would have hung around,” he added. “But the signing on deadline for the UniBond League has gone and unless they go to a North West Counties Club, or up into the Blue Square North, so they might as well stay with us.
“They are happy to stay here because it is a smashing club. They’re well looked after and we’re delighted to have so many quality players to pick from.
“We’re going to have one hell of a squad next season if we can keep them together, but a lot can happen between now and then.”
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