Eggcellent Yoak helps Bucks to maximum in Stoke

Bootle were fast starters in the game again, going forward with real intensity and having joy getting in behind the channels.

The first chance arose for the Bucks as Jake Burton was slipped in behind and a tame pace on the ball from the shot did look as if it was going to creep into the back of the net, but the hosts got the beneficiary of a bobble in the penalty area which took the ball away from goal.

Efforts on Tony Thompson’s abode were minimal, but on a couple of occasions, the Bucks shot-stopper had to have safe hands to thwart any real danger.

Ben Hodkinson probably couldn’t believe his luck as a ball in the area fell to him, although not kindly, so the Bucks man found it hard to find the target and fortuitously fired over.

HT: Hanley Town 0-0 Bootle

Bootle led within minutes of the restart as Ben Hodkinson was given a yard of space down his favourited right side, before he chopped inside and delivered a low ball to the head of Tom Peterson, who wrong-footed Tommy Jackson in the Hanley net to nod home.

One was two in quick-fire time as a free-kick was dangerous territory was awarded to Bootle. Hodkinson stepped up and cracked the top of the bar before new man Moses Yoak nodded into an empty net to send the boisterous Bucks ballistic.

Bootle came close on a few occasions, more significantly through Jack Lenehan’s long-ranged effort tickling the top of the bar and Ben Hodkinson rattling the woodwork after cutting in expertly and landing a pile driver on goal.

FT: Hanley Town 0-2 Bootle