Bootle Suffer Heavy Pre-Season Defeat to Maghull

Credit: Kate Tencza

By Freddie Bullen

Bootle FC Women endured a difficult afternoon in their pre-season fixture against a ruthless Maghull side, falling to a 5–0 defeat - but the scoreline tells only part of the story.

From the opening minutes, Maghull piled on the pressure. It took just four minutes for the home side to break the deadlock, giving Bootle an uphill battle almost immediately.

Despite the early setback, goalkeeper Izzy Cartwright quickly established herself as the standout performer. In the space of the next ten minutes, she pulled off a string of outstanding saves, including a stunning double stop in the 11th minute, keeping Bootle within touching distance while Maghull wasted several golden chances.

Bootle had two major let-offs in the 13th and 14th minutes as Maghull squandered chances from close range, but the hosts eventually doubled their lead with a strike into the top corner on 16 minutes. Again, Cartwright and defender Katie Mitchell combined brilliantly to deny a third soon after.

Bootle gradually began to settle into the game. On 23 minutes, Poppie O’Neil battled her way into the Maghull box before being dispossessed, and minutes later she had Bootle’s first real sight of goal, only to see her effort comfortably saved.

However, just as Bootle were finding their rhythm, Maghull struck again in the 38th minute to extend their advantage to 3–0 before half-time.

The second half began much as the first had ended, with Maghull adding a fourth on 51 minutes. But the introduction of substitute keeper Rhegan Hough gave Bootle fresh resolve. Hough produced a series of superb saves, including a close-range block on 70 minutes and a fingertip stop in the 83rd, ensuring the scoreline did not climb even higher.

Bootle still showed attacking intent — Lola Dutton twice threatened from range, her best effort flying just wide on 64 minutes. But Maghull’s dominance eventually told once more as they made it 5–0 in the 87th minute.

Even after that, Bootle’s defenders and goalkeeper were called into action again, with an offside flag denying Maghull a sixth right at the death.

Bootle will now look to regroup quickly as attention turns to their next pre-season challenge — an away trip to Witton Albion on Wednesday 6th August. The squad will be eager to build on the positives shown against Maghull and continue their preparations with a strong performance on the road.