Bootle FC Women heavily defeated at Woolton

By Freddie Bullen

Photos: Kate Tencza

Bootle FC Women suffered a tough afternoon on the road as they were beaten 5-1 by MSB Woolton Reserves last Sunday, in a game where a difficult spell before half-time ultimately proved decisive.

The hosts made a fast start and almost took the lead inside two minutes, but Izzy Cartwright produced a brilliant save to deny Woolton an early breakthrough. It was an important early intervention from the Bootle stopper, who would go on to be kept busy throughout the first half.

Despite that bright defensive moment, Woolton found the opener on seven minutes in unfortunate circumstances. A speculative long-range effort looped high into the air and dropped over Cartwright into the net to make it 1-0 to the home side.

Bootle worked hard to stay in the contest and continued to battle, with Cartwright again called into action on 37 minutes. Another powerful strike from distance looked destined for the net, but she reacted superbly to turn it behind for a corner and keep the deficit at just one.

However, the game turned sharply in the closing stages of the first half. On 38 minutes, Woolton doubled their advantage with an outstanding curled effort that flew into the top right corner, giving Cartwright no chance. Just two minutes later, a third followed as the hosts capitalised again to stretch their lead.

Although Woolton had the ball in the net once more on 42 minutes only for the flag to rule it out for offside, they were not to be denied a fourth. A well-delivered ball into the box was met by a header at the front post on 43 minutes, sending Bootle into the break trailing 4-0.

The second half began with Bootle looking to steady themselves and regroup, but Woolton struck again just two minutes after the restart to make it five and further extend their advantage.

To their credit, the Bucks continued to compete and showed improved resilience as the half wore on. A 57th-minute free-kick from Woolton was fired straight into the gloves of Cartwright, who remained composed despite the challenging scoreline.

Bootle began to carve out opportunities of their own midway through the half. On 67 minutes, Taylor Castley registered the visitors’ first clear chance of the afternoon, striking into the side netting. Moments later, another effort from the right-hand side tested the Woolton defence but was safely gathered by goalkeeper Rhegan Hough.

The visitors’ persistence paid off in the 79th minute. Awarded a free-kick from long range, Millie Davis stepped up and delivered an effort that slipped through the grasp of the Woolton keeper and found the net, giving Bootle a deserved consolation goal and something to build on.

While the final whistle confirmed a 5-1 defeat, there were positives in the second-half response, with the squad continuing to push forward and show character despite the setback. Bootle FC Women will now look to learn from the experience and bounce back strongly in their next fixture.