Linnets perish lacking Bucks in Friday Night Football

The game started at a slow pace with neither side being able to firm authority in the contest and lay a glove on the respective keepers.

Bootle were able to get balls behind the channels effectively, but the ability to cause Bayleigh Passant issues were lacking.

Instead, the Linnets began a spell of attacking the Bootle abode incisively, with new Bucks ‘keeper Ryan Bopda being kept alert.

Efforts in the area by Brooke and further players kept the Bootle keeper on his toes, however the best save came just after the half hour mark, when a low drive was saved expertly by Bopda’s body.

The visitors eventually took the lead on the stroke of half time as a long range effort from the right was tipped away by Bopda, but only into the path of a goal-hungry Ryan Brooke, who pounced effectively to hand Runcorn the lead.

HT: Bootle 0-1 Runcorn Linnets

A reaction was needed and it was just the reaction that Bootle would’ve craved as the hosts entered a period of hounding attacking pressure on a stubborn Linnets back line.

The defence was breached just under the hour mark when Jake Burton was sent away by Owen Robinson on the edge of the penalty area, with Burton shifting inside and firing in to the top corner.

It could’ve been two within a matter of minutes for Bootle as Sam Burns gathered the ball before letting fly from range, forcing Bayleigh Passant into an outstanding stop.

A critical moment in the game came as James Hooper, fresh off his return to the UK from Australia, swung in a cross into a dangerous area, and after the Bootle back line switched off, substitute Adam Moseley raced onto it to tuck it home and give Linnets the lead.

Will Saxon was bundled over in the area not long after the second, with referee Kavan Hurn awarding the visitors a spot kick. Brooke stood up and duly converted to extend the cushion to two.

FT: Bootle 1-3 Runcorn Linnets