McGraa’s maiden endeavour concludes in crushing cup defeat

It wasn’t the start Bootle craved as the visitors drew first blood inside the opening minute, when a lobbed cross into a dangerous area was met by the rising Mark Cullen, and his head proved too much for Owen Mooney to handle as it flew into the left-hand corner.

Following the goal, it took Harry Benns almost netting a second for Brig for Bootle to finally awake and then the Bucks began a period of dominance in the game.

Billy Reeves’ effort was placed perfectly to roll into the bottom corner before a Bamber Bridge defender came across to avert the danger.

The game could have had a vast momentum swing just before the twenty minute mark as Sam Burns had the entirety of Vesty Road on his shoulders as he only had James Pradic to beat in the goal, but he leaned back on his effort and it drifted far over the top.

The hosts’ continuous pressure continued as Prodic was kept on his toes by numerous effort on his abode, most notably a double save just before the break to deny Carney and a Mason Fawns header.

HT: Bootle 0-1 Bamber Bridge

Bootle were punished for their missed chances as Bamber Bridge all but surely placed their name in the hat for the next round by adding a second.

Brig won the ball back high up the pitch and Lewis Thompson slipped through Harry Benns. The attacker chopped the ball inside and rolled the ball beyond Owen Mooney and in.

It just seemed like it wasn’t going to go in for Bootle, and further evidence showed when many effort went amiss for the hosts.

FT: Bootle 0-2 Bamber Bridge