Bootle Victorious In Manchester

By Brendan Doyle

Bootle pick up a 3-1 victory in Manchester and edge closer to the play offs.

Just four minutes into the game Bootle took the lead as Ben Hodkinson poked in his effort from very close range to give Bootle a very early advantage. Bootle almost doubled their lead as Tom Hannigan got his head to a corner but Trafford keeper Charlie Brier tipped it onto the bar, a magnificent save.

The end first half should have seen Bootle head into the tunnel at least 3-0 up but thanks to Charlie Brier it was only 1-0, as Ryan Beigan played in Jack McGowan who was through one on one, Brier denied Bootle to double their lead once again. Ryan Beigan himself was also through on goal but yet again Brier was there to keep out another Bootle shot on target.

Charlie Brier also managed to make two brilliant saves to deny Courtney Duffus and Jack McGowan in the opening ten minutes of the second half, but eventually Bootle did get their second goal as Ben Hodkinson played a lovely ball into the path of Courtney Duffus who comfortably buried his effort to make it 2-0.

After so many more chances including a Ben Hodkinson penalty being saved by Charlier Brier, a Harry Norris header gave Trafford a glimmer of hope for a potential comeback, however it was short lived after Bootle were awarded another penalty which Ben Hodkinson managed to make up for his missed penalty and converted his spot kick to reach goal number ninety nine for The Bucks leaving him just one away from reaching three figures for the club.

The match would finish 3-1 to Bootle and thanks to Lower Breck and Vauxhall facing defeat, it now goes down to the wire on the last day of the season for a play off place. If Lower Breck fail to win away to Shifnal Town and Bootle defeat Mossley at home, the place in the play offs is all ours!