Jamie Milligan’s side come into the fixture off the back of a 7-2 victory in the FA Cup first qualifying round against West Allotment Celtic on Saturday.

The Radcliffe clash will be Brig’s first Northern Premier League Premier Division fixture of September, and their second consecutive league match at home.

Here’s all you need to know about tonight’s opponents:

RECENT HISTORY

Radcliffe have been in the NPL Premier Division since 2019, having gained promotion via the play-offs in May of that year.

They had previously spent 12 years in the division below, with a Lancashire Cup final appearance in 2017 their highest level of success in that period.

In their first season back at this level, Radcliffe were in 16th place when the season was curtailed, with 38 points from 32 games. They were positioned in the play-offs during December and into January, but fell off considerably as they failed to win any of their final 13 games.

They were in 14th place when the league was curtailed last season. Their nine games played saw a total of 38 goals – more than any other team in the division.

LEAGUE FORM
Radcliffe kicked off their season with one draw and two defeats from their opening three league matches.

They then registered their first victory of the campaign with a 2-0 defeat of Witton Albion at home, before suffering a narrow 1-0 loss to Scarborough.

Bank Holiday Monday saw them lose 3-0 at FC United, before they recorded victory in the first round of FA Cup qualifying, defeating Skelmersdale 2-0.

Going into tonight’s fixture, Radcliffe are placed 18th in the NPL Premier Division, outside the relegation zone on goal difference.

MANAGER

Lee Fowler took charge of Radcliffe in February 2020, following the departure of Jon Macken.

Former Brig striker Macken was the man who guided the club back to the NPL Premier Division in 2019 and had them in the top half when he left in January.

His successor played for an array of different clubs as player – a total of 21 across a 19-year career.

He worked as assistant manager at Nuneaton Borough before taking over the reins at Ilkeston Town in December 2018. The 38-year-old then had a spell at Bradford Park Avenue before being appointed as Radcliffe boss.

BRIG HEAD-TO-HEAD

Brig and Radcliffe have faced off on four occasions since the latter’s promotion to the NPL Premier Division in 2019.

Brig defeated tonight’s opponents 4-0 on the road in January 2020 in what was one of Jamie Milligan’s opening matches in charge.

The fixture computer would pit both sides against each other again later that month, with Brig claiming a 2-1 win at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium after going behind in the second half.

Last season, the two sides faced off on two occasions, with Radcliffe winning the league fixture 2-1 at Stainton Park, before Brig reversed the scoreline in an FA Trophy clash at the same venue later in October.