10-men Bootle hold Cables on derby day

Bootle were dominant on the ball in the opening stages without creating a great deal, with Mitchell Allan largely untested.

Owen Mooney was sprung into action early on as Tony Donaldson gathered the ball from the edge of the area and warmed the gloves of the Bootle keeper.

Mooney wouldn’t last much longer in the game as he was sent for an early shower a quarter of an hour into the contest following an alleged handball outside the area, meaning defender Leon Legge had to deputise in-between the sticks.

The resulting free-kick given was blazed well over by Kyle Sambor, and for a long period of time, that was the only time Cables laid a glove on Legge in goal.

Although Allan wasn’t threatened with any goal-mouth action, Bootle attacked with intent and looked the more likely out of the two to score while the game plan had to shift with the numerical disadvantage.

HT: Bootle 0-0 Prescot Cables

The Bucks began to plant their authority on the game, making Mitchell Allan busy and forcing some good saves out of the Cables keeper.

An early free-kick hauled in by Ben Hodkinson was met by the head of the rising Tom Moore, and his nod heading for the bottom right corner was clawed away by Allan before being eventually cleared.

Hodkinson was once again involved in Bootle next venture forward as he pinched the pockets of Alex McNally before driving into the area. He squared the ball to the advancing Andy Scarisbrick but his shot was valiantly thwarted by Nathan Koehler.

Three times in a period of around the hour mark and the climax of the contest, Hodkinson broke through to face Mitchell Allan and each time the Cables keeper was able to get the better of the Bootle attacker, saving each of his efforts.

Cables caused some problems for Leon Legge, who looked comfortable collecting balls into the box and sweeping them away, and he was able to make a save from Tony Donaldson mid-way through the second half, diverting the ball away with his legs.

FT: Bootle 0-0 Prescot Cables