MACCLESFIELD FC 2, RADCLIFFE FC 3
Hat-trick hero Jordan Hulme was lauded by joint manager Bernard Morley as Radcliffe FC won at promotion rivals Macclesfield FC to surge eight points clear at the top of Northern Premier League, premier.
The former Salford City and Altrincham striker helped Radcliffe complete a league double over the Silkmen to the delight of Morley.
“Big players turn up for the big games, and Jordan stood out from the rest,” he said.
“Jordan could player at a higher level, but he is enjoying his football here.”
The celebrations at the final whistle showed just how big a victory this was.
Morley explained: “Every win is massive, but today we needed to play the game and not the occasion in front of 4,000 volatile fans who were loud and aggressive.
“They had to play 55 minutes with 10 men, a big ask for them against the leaders who had also scored 65 goals.
“They had to take chances, but we found a way to get a result which we did by taking our chances.”
Morley also reflected on their season so far, explaining: “When we (joint manager Anthony Johnson) took over we knew it would be a very tough league with the likes of Macclesfield, Worksop who are spending money and Marine who we all know about.
“We are delighted with out position with 16 games left, but not complacent.”
Radcliffe took the lead in the 17th minute with a terrific solo effort from Hulme.
The striker cut in from the left and slotted a shot low to the left of keeper Dylan Berry from an angle.
Macc were denied an equaliser when Kane Drummond strayed offside at the far post as he converted Alex Curran’s cross.
Radcliffe keeper Mateusz Hewelt made a brilliant save at the feet of Kane Drummond after he burst through on goal.
Macc’s prospects were dealt a blow when they had Tunde Owolabi was sent off for a raised boot against Olly Thornley who needed lengthy treatment for a bang to the head.
But the 10 men equalised in first half stoppage time through Curran’s 17th goal of the campaign.
John Rooney’s free kick struck a raised arm in the defensive wall.
Referee Jake Allsopp signalled for a free kick on the edge of the box but, after protests from the Macc players, the official consulted his assistant and a spot kick was awarded.
Curran sent Hewelt the wrong way and the 10 men were back on level terms.
Radcliffe came close to regaining the lead shortly after the restart when Hulme’s header was cleared off the line by Andrew Baker and Matt Sargent’s shot struck the bar.
Macc survived the scares and snatched the lead in the 57th minute.
Substitute Neil Kengni broke down the left and his cross was met by Drummond who fired into the roof of the net, his 11th of the season.
Radcliffe made it 2-2 with 16 minutes left. Jude Oyibe‘s initial shot was fumbled by keeper Berry and Hulme was on hand to slot in the rebound for his second of the game.
Hulme completed the comeback when he netted his hat-trick goal in the 83rd minute, a low shot on the turn which crept past Berry at his near post.
Macc manager Alex Bruce said: “I was pleased how we played with 10 men, but in the last 20 minutes couldn’t see it out after making a couple of individual errors.
“We wanted to win the game and took chances.
“Having a man sent off in the first half, especially in a big game made it a big ask.
“If we had kept 11 players on the pitch, I think the outcome would have been very different.”