Bootle Fight Back From Behind To Win 2-1

Credit: Midlands Football League

In the opening stages of the first half it’s safe to say Bootle made a very positive start to the game. Jack McGowan made a counter attacking run following a Darlaston Town corner into the left hand side of the box and attempted to play a ball across to Ben Hodkinson but Alex Forshaw reached to it first.

Connor Rankin tried to drive a ball into the path of Joe Woolley but the ball failed to find Woolley and even a single Bootle shirt. A ball was played into the Darlaston Town area which Joe Woolley managed to get his end on the end of but the effort ended up just wide of the goal.

Joe Woolley stepped up to take a threat kick in threatening territory for the hosts and whipped a great ball into the area which Tom Hannigan managed to get his head to but Zac Prior made catching practice of the effort. After Lewis Earl was seemingly fouled in the build up, the hosts took the lead as James Rowland hit a first time effort home after receiving a ball in from the left hand side.

Joe Woolley took a 12 yard strike on goal in an attempt to get Bootle level heading into the tunnel at half time but the effort didn’t phase Darlaston Town keeper Zac Prior in the slightest. Sam Hughes had an effort just out the area and took the courage to take the shot on but the strike only flew high and wide.

The Bucks made a venomous start to the second half as Ben Hodkinson whipped in a corner from the right side which met the head of Sam Hughes but the headed attempt seemed to just skim the crossbar. Ben Hodkinson also had a crack at goal from 40 yards out but the ball only bounced wide of the goal.

After five consecutive corners, Bootle found an equaliser as Ben Hodkinson played a ball into the box for Connor Rankin to get his head to and find the far corner, it was only a matter of time before The Bucks equalised as they were heavily knocking on the door. Substitute Kenzie O’Neil cut in from the left wing onto his right foot and took a shot on goal but it only managed to find the side netting.

Joe Woolley made an extremely difficult run with the ball look magnificently easy as he danced through the host’s midfield and played a pass out wide to Michael Simpson who found Courtney Duffus who met the cross with a header that made the ball dip over Zac Prior and into the back of the net to put Bootle 2-1 ahead. Darlaston Town very nearly got level as the hosts took a shot in the Bootle which deflected but thankfully ended up in the safe hands of Tony Thompson.

Michael Simpson put the ball into the back of the net but unfortunately the linesman’s flag went up and the goal didn’t stand. However, Bootle managed to hang on and take all three points away from a trip to the midlands winning their second consecutive league games and three consecutive wins in all competitions.

Final Score: Darlaston Town 1-2 Bootle