Bootle Hit With First League Defeat

By Brendan Doyle

The Bucks were hit with our first defeat of the season in the Northern Premier League Division One West away to Hanley Town thanks to a Lewis Porter goal in the first half being enough for the hosts to seal the win.

The first chance of the game was just after eight minutes of play as Lewis Porter latched onto a defensive error from Bootle which bounced towards him but his effort went over the crossbar, a close one for Bootle. Minutes later, a rebounded effort fell towards Jack Lenehan who attempted a shot towards goal with his weaker left foot but it fizzed over the crossbar.

Hanley Town were awarded a penalty which looked like danger for Bootle, Lewis Porter stepped up to take the penalty but it was saved by Joe Mason which gave Bootle a lifeline and the game was still level. Although just minutes before half time, Hanley Town did take lead after Lewis Porter met a ball delivered into the box and put his effort past Joe Mason to put Hanley Town ahead at the break.

Ben Hodkinson cut in on his left foot and aimed for the top far corner from outside the area but it was blocked by the head of a Hanley Town defender, Bootle contributed to knock on the door as a ball was delivered into Matty Fenton who met the ball with a header but it bounced wide. Hanley Town almost doubled their lead as Devante Ramsey aimed for the far corner after cutting in on his right foot but the shot was parried away by Joe Mason.

In the last minute of the game after struggling to break Hanley Town’s deadlock, Bootle were awarded a penalty after a handball which Ben Hodkinson stepped up to take but it was saved by debutant keeper Caleb Clothier to make himself the hero of Hanley Town. All credit to Hanley Town who done really well to get the win and to hand The Bucks our first league defeat of the season.