RADCLIFFE Borough’s new boss Benny Phillips has said that it will take time to transform his side from relegation candidates to promotion contenders.

The new manager saw Jekyll and Hyde Boro battle for all three points in his first Evo-Stike Division One North game in charge – a 1-0 win a Lancaster City on Saturday.

But he came crashing down to earth at Stainton Park on Tuesday night as a second-half hat-trick from Garforth Town’s Adam Priestley consigned Boro to a 5-2 defeat.

They were contrasting performances in more ways than one as Boro keeper Nick Culkins had performed near miracles in the second half on Saturday to keep Lancaster at bay as they piled on the pressure.

On Tuesday night it was Garforth keeper Ben Higginson who took the plaudits when he kept out early shots from Tom Brooks and Ben Wharton to give the Yorkshiremen a platform to take the game by the scruff of the neck.

“The positives are that I thought their keeper was one of their best players,” said Phillips.

“And at Lancaster our keeper was absolutely magnificent. We had a little bit luck, but in the Garforth game, what luck there was went their way.

“I think we played some good football, but we’ve conceded goals and lost the game.

“But we know where we are at. I know what needs to be done. I believe I can help every player here to improve, but it’s not going to happen overnight.

“We just have to try to do it as we go along. We’ll be giving the players lots of information but it may take time for it to sink in.”

Meanwhile, Phillips has problems in his defence to contend with as Boro prepare for their match on Saturday against Leigh Genesis which has been switched from Crilly Park to Stainton Park. Centre back Craig Flowers was forced out of the Garforth clash at half time due to injury, and debutant Kiel O’Brien suffered a back injury.

“We’ve got some of our best players not playing,” added Phillips.

“And when you only have a small squad like we have, it’s not easy.”