Bootle left with bitter taste as Purps rule the roost on Derby Day

A clear indication that Bootle were miles off the pace was in the first minutes, as the Purps came to nullify a recently clinical Bucks attack and they were picking up all loose balls, something which Bootle couldn’t deal with.

This led to City of Liverpool’s opener as they worked it down Bootle’s left side and Elliot Morris was given acres of space to pick out a man in the area. He found the advancing Danny Mitchley who flicked the ball beyond Tony Thompson to hand the Purps the lead.

Colin Hare in the Purps net was untested in the first half, with Bootle unable to lay a glove and effort from the Bucks were long shots and a disappointing free-kick attempt.

City of Liverpool took advantage of more lacklustre Bootle play as Elliot Morris was able to cross again, this time to Callum Schorah wailing at the back post, and his finish was scrambled home and one became two.

HT: Bootle 0-2 City of Liverpool

Substitutions for Bootle helped inject some impetus into their play and they were on the front foot, looking to catch the Purps off guard in any instant for a way back into the game.

Ben Hodkinson came close as a ball fell kindly to him following a fine Hare save initially, but his shot destined for the back of the net was blocked valiantly by Michael Grogan.

Hare was made to scoop a tame shot and that was about as good as it got for Bootle, who couldn’t get going on Derby Day as the Purps took full advantage to earn a huge win.

FT: Bootle 0-2 City of Liverpool