RADCLIFFE Boro manager Andy Johnston is wearing the expression of a contented man at the moment, after ending a promising pre-season with the capture of two talented youngsters.

Boro played Conference North outfit Stalybridge Celtic off the park in Saturday's 2-0 victory, and then scored in the last minute to hold full-time outfit Northwich Victoria to a draw on Tuesday. To cap a fine week, the club have also secured the signatures of former Rochdale midfielder Scott Warner and ex-Great Harwood schemer Ryan Fisher.

"We have had a fantastic pre-season. We have played teams from different leagues though the football pyramid and really impressed," said manager Andy Johnston.

"We battered Stalybridge, and kept our concentration right until the very end against a quality side in Northwich. The lads have played some excellent football and our performances have been excellent.

"I think a few people have us down for relegation already, but I think we may surprise one or two people. We know that a good pre-season doesn't guarantee a good season, but the lads have the confidence now. We did, however, have a shocking pre-season when we won the league in 1997!"

Johnston is also thrilled to bits to have snapped up Fisher and Warner: "We have got a couple of good young players to work with in those two.

"It means we now have six midfielders battling for three spots, but the squad is strengthened by their signing and they are exciting players.

"Ryan has really impressed us in pre-season. He gets forward well and looks likely to grab us a goal.

"Scott played over 50 times for Rochdale, so he has good pedigree. He now has to knuckle down, work hard and try to impress clubs to get back to that level. He is a very good passer of the ball."