Bootle FC 4-2 Newcastle Town: Match Report

Credit: Curtis Brown

By Brendan Doyle

Bootle win second game on the bounce in a 4-2 victory against visitors Newcastle Town

In the opening five minutes Ben Hodkinson got himself on the scoresheet after being fed a through ball which left him one on one with Joe Slinn and buried his effort in the left hand corner to give Bootle an early lead. As the game went on Newcastle Town grew into the game and managed to equalise as Joel Jones managed to close down Bucks keeper Joe Mason and then laid the ball off to Drew Lowe who got his name on the scoresheet to get his side level.

Only one minute later, Oli Ritchie played in a ball from out wide to Drew Lowe who’s first time shot went past Joe Mason to give Newcastle Town the lead, two goals in one minute for both Newcastle Town and Drew Lowe. The goals didn’t stop there however, Bootle equalised just four minutes after going behind as Jack Lenehan got Bootle’s second of the game with a fantastic first time finish. Just a couple of minutes before half time, Bootle were awarded a penalty after a foul on Ben Hodkinson by Joe Slinn which Hodkinson buried to put Bootle back in front by the end of the first half, great recovery from the lads.

In the opening minutes of the second half, Ryan Beigan had a chance to put Bootle two goals ahead as he struck an effort aiming for the far corner but it only flew wide, although just a couple of minutes after, Lewis Doyle whipped in a fantastic ball into the box with found Jack Lenehan who’s lovely cushioned header put Bootle 4-2 ahead. Newcastle Town’s Tom Jones had a chance to pull one back as he tried his luck with a shot from outside the area which had some power behind it but Joe Mason made a brilliant stretched save to keep it out.

Very late on in the game Joe Mason was called upon once again as Sean Lawton put in a cross from the left hand flank which found the head of Lewis Brown who aimed for the bottom corner but Joe Mason’s had to react very quickly and get down low to prevent the visitors pulling one back, another fantastic save from Joe. The match finished 4-2 which meant Bootle walked away with a second win in two games, a very ideal start to the 2026/27 campaign.