Owls run riot at Radcliffe

A hat-trick from Jack Richardson, a brace from Jack Barlow and one from Captain Darren Hanslip was enough to book their place into the next round of the drawn.

Marcus Newell made four changes to the starting line-up following their midweek 4-2 loss to Pickering Town. Daniel Grant, Lawrence heward, Richardson and Louis Grant where all recalled to the squad in hope of cup success. Marc Cooper and Alex Flett where dropped to the bench from the starting 11 last time out.

The game started off at a frantic pace, with Robertson nearly scoring within the opening 30 seconds. Oglesby made a darting run down the wing but his cross just evaded the advancing striker as the ball skimmed along the ground just five yards from goal.

Just three minutes later, right-back Luke Mascall thought he would try his luck, but his 20 yard effort from just outside the box was wide of the mark.

The good start from the Owls continued as they looked to open the scoring early doors. Barlow collected the ball just outside the area in the fifth minute, he turned his marker but his goal-bound shot was blocked byPaul Durham in the Radcliffe defensive line.

At the other end Radcliffe had struggled during the opening encounters however they would of taken the lead had it not been for a brilliant Heward block from a Jack Smith close range shot.

The hosts came even closer 90 seconds later as Chris Marshall unleashed a rasping drive from 25 yards out which swerved in the air and rattle Brad Beattie's left hand post with him fully out-stretched.

The Owls did not let the pressure get to them as they went up the other end and nearly scored. The ball fell to Richardson but his right footed shot was blocked and it went out for a corner. Oglesby played the ball in, it was cleared back to him by a defender, the ball was then lofted to the back post where Richard Peck was waiting in space but his header was wide of the mark from point blank range.

It was not long though until the Owls did break the deadlock. Oglesby found space on the left hand side and whipped in a delicious cross for Captain Hanslip to thunder a long range header home past the helpless Hadlee Dunne.

The traveling support had barely enough time to sit down when they where back up on their feet again celebrating as just two minutes later the ball was in the back of the net. This time it was Barlow who unleashed a left footed shot under the legs of Sam Winch and into the bottom corner of the net, sparking scenes of jubilation.

The game seemed to settle down after the two goals and it become a battle of the midfield as both sides looked to penetrate the water tight defences.

It was not until the 28th minute when a long ball by Peck caused serious problems problems for the hosts but the ball was just too strong for Barlow to latch onto it as Dunne came rushing out of goal to gather the ball.

An amusing moment came just four minutes later when the referee shouted “Great tackle no.6” to Radcliffe’s Chris Marshall for only ten seconds later to be booking him for a similar challenge where he appeared to win the ball from Richardson.

Radcliffe’s Sam Adams tried to get the hosts back into the game in the 35th minutes when he tried a speculative overhead kick from eight yards out but it went wide of the mark.

Just before the break though, the Owls extended their lead as Barlow once again was on hand to scored. This time, there was a scramble inside the box involving several players from both sides but the ball broke loose to Barlow who dispatch his finish with aplomb.

The half-time whistle came moments later but not before another chance went begging for the Owls as a good low cross came in from the right from Oglesby only for Adams to slice his clearance straight into Dunne’s arms.

The second half started with a flurry of chances for both sides. Firstly, the Owls forced a corner within 10 seconds of the restart which was swung in to the back post but Robertson could only poke wide his chance. Then Radcliffe’s Kenneth Reeves missed a glorious chance to get the hosts back into the game as he beat Peck in the channel but missed with target with only Beattie to beat.

At the other end Oglesby could only skew a half-volley wide of the mark after a delightful pinpoint cross from Barlow. Only seconds later and the Owls really should of extended their lead. Firstly, Peck headed against the crossbar and from the follow up, Heward smashed an effort against the post from 12 yards.

The break through did come in the 62nd minute when Richardson stroke the ball home passed Dunne into the corner of the net from just outside the box to put the game beyond any doubt.

The lead should of been extended even further but Oglesby’s long range shot was just inches wide of the mark, and then Cooper saw a header effort cleared off the line in the 73rd minute.

A glorious chance fell to Barlow thought with just 15 minutes on the clock remaining. Robertson sprinted down the wing and his cross was wonderful. It was played inbetween the defensive line and the goalkeeper and the onrushing Barlow beat Winch to the ball but could only fire wide of the mark with the goal at his mercy.

With 12 minutes remaining, Radcliffe did pull a goal back, thanks to substitute Robbie Williams. A thunderous free kick was fired at Beattie’s goal, he could watch as the ball came back off the cross bar and into the path of Williams who had the easiest of finishes.

The scoring was not over though as just three minutes later, Richardson had his second of the game as he once again beat the keeper with a shot from just outside the area, in a move very similar to his first.

As the game ticked just into injury time, Richardson did indeed finish off his hat-trick as Oglesby played a square ball across to Richardson who had an easy tap in to complete the rout for the Owls in a convincing win after a small string of defeats.