Flixton FC 3–5 Radcliffe FC

Flixton FC produced an encouraging attacking display despite falling to a 5-3 defeat against Radcliffe in an entertaining pre-season encounter at Valley Road.

The scoreline tells one story, but the underlying numbers paint a more balanced picture. Flixton matched their higher-level opponents for large periods, creating more chances, registering more attempts on goal and enjoying virtually equal possession.

Radcliffe were simply more clinical in front of goal.

A Clinical Opposition

Despite recording fewer shots (9) than Flixton (14), Radcliffe FC converted five of their opportunities to take the victory. Flixton created 17 total attempts compared to Radcliffe's 14, but the visitors finished with a remarkable conversion rate that ultimately proved decisive.

Flixton, meanwhile, scored three times from their 17 efforts, giving them an 18% conversion rate. Half of the shots taken inside the penalty area found the net, highlighting the quality of the opportunities created when the Blues worked the ball into dangerous areas.

Even Contest Through the Middle

Possession was almost perfectly shared, with Radcliffe FC edging it 51% to 49%.

Both sides completed over 270 passes, with Radcliffe FC completing 287 to Flixton's 271, while possession time differed by just one minute (19 minutes to 18).

Perhaps the most telling statistic was possession won, with Flixton recovering the ball 133 times compared to Radcliffe's 132, demonstrating the intensity and competitiveness of the contest.

Building Attacks

Flixton showed composure in possession throughout the game.

The side produced:

• 271 completed passes

• 36 passing sequences of three or more passes

• Eight passing sequences of six or more passes

• A longest passing sequence of seven consecutive passes

These figures underline the team's willingness to build attacks rather than simply play direct football.

Territory Battle

The territorial data showed Flixton FC spending:

• 4% of possession in their defensive third

• 87% through midfield

• 9% in the attacking third

Without the ball, Flixton were forced deeper:

• 34% of defensive actions came in their own third

• 47% in midfield

• 20% in the attacking third

The heat map reinforced that much of the contest was fought across the middle of the pitch, with Flixton working hard to regain possession before looking to spring forward.

Creating Chances

Flixton enjoyed:

• 14 shots

• 17 total attempts

• Three corners

• One converted penalty

The shot map showed a number of efforts coming from central areas around the edge of the box, while over a third of all attempts were created inside the penalty area.

Positives to Take

While Radcliffe's experience and finishing quality eventually proved the difference, there were plenty of positives for Alex Mortimer's side.

Matching a side from a higher level for possession, creating more chances and registering more attempts will provide plenty of encouragement as preparations continue ahead of the North West Counties Division One North season.

There is work to do defensively after conceding five goals, but the attacking intent, ability to retain possession and willingness to play through the thirds suggest Flixton are continuing to move in the right direction during pre-season.