RADCLIFFE BORO might only have taken one point from their opening two fixtures in the UniBond Premier League, but there is plenty for manager Andy Johnston to smile about after Tuesday night's impressive display against Leek Town.
Boro's failure to turn their dominance into goals was the only reason why Johnston's side didn't pick up all three points in midweek, and the manager reckons that killer touch will come.
"We dominated Leek, and played some great football. The lads played at a high tempo, and were full of confidence," said Johnston.
"We need to start taking our chances, but apart from the lack of goals, I cannot fault our strikers. Tony Evans and Kieran Lugsden are working well up-front, while Jamie Miller and Pat McFadden have looked good when they have come on.
"Jamie is proven at this level, and higher, and I really do believe Pat has goals in him. His chance in the team will come and I expect him to grasp it with both hands.
"The way we play, we will always create plenty of chances. But, we have to be careful we don't do what we did last season and fail to take our chances."
And, the manager was also fulsome in his praise for Stephen Hill, Matty O'Neill and Scott Warner.
"Scott has worked hard in both of our opening games, and he played really well on Tuesday night," said Johnston.
"Scott has a lot of quality, and he had a knack of scoring great goals during his time at Rochdale. We want to tap into that, and we will be working on set-pieces with him in training.
"Hilly has surprised us all. He has come back in and played two games in the space of days for the first time in 12 months. I must admit that I was worried when Migsy (Paul McGuire) was injured, but Hilly has been fantastic for us and slotted into that role easily.
He has coped really well, and is getting stronger with every game.
"Matty was pleased to get on the pitch against Leek, and it is now just a case of trying to push things a bit. I think he still has the hernia problem in the back of his mind, and we now have to go through that barrier.
"With Matty, we have been speaking to him about scoring more goals this season. He has the ability to go past players, and he excites the crowd. However, he doesn't score enough goals for his ability and we are trying to improve this side of his game.
"All the midfielders have a duty to try and support the forwards. We have pushed Martyn Forrest up a bit more in these two games and he has got himself into some good positions."
The games are coming thick and fast for Boro, with Hednesford Town the visitors to Stainton Park tomorrow (3pm kick-off), before a trip to North Ferriby on Bank Holiday Monday (3pm).
"The lads are confident, and if we get three or four points from those two games we are in a good position to kick on," said Johnston.
"The lads are pleased to be at home on Saturday because they are enjoying playing there at the minute. The supporters are really getting behind the lads, and the pitch is in fantastic nick.
"I also have some nice selection posers for the weekend. I looked at the bench and what we had in the stand on Tuesday night and it really did excite me. Now, the lads know that if they don't perform, they could lose their place.
"And, if we have some injuries, we won't have to bring in youth players - like last season. Tony Whealing wasn't even in the squad last night, while Ryan Fisher returns from his holiday next week! It is this competition for places that I have wanted for a long while now."
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