Bootle Women Aim to Bounce Back at St Helens Rovers

By Freddie Bullen

This Sunday, Bootle FC Women are back in Liverpool WYFL action with an away trip to Sutton Leisure Centre, where they face St Helens Rovers in a crucial league clash.

After last weekend’s postponement against Vauxhall Motors, the Bucks have had extra time on the training pitch to regroup and prepare for this test. The squad will be eager to bounce back after suffering their first defeat of the season against Clay Brow.

That game saw Bootle start brightly, creating chances through Alicia Bernard and Abbi Fowler, but lapses early in the second half proved costly as Clay Brow netted twice within 25 minutes. Bernard pulled one back from the penalty spot, but the hosts sealed the result late on with a composed finish, handing Bootle a 3-1 defeat.

With a full week of focused training behind them, the Bucks will be determined to put things right and get back to winning ways.

St Helens Rovers have endured a stop–start beginning to their campaign. Their opening fixture against Hesketh Colts was abandoned due to a serious injury, though Rovers were leading 1-0 at the time thanks to a goal from Rebekka Roberts. Their first full match came away to MSB Woolton, where two second-half strikes from the hosts condemned them to defeat.

Rovers may currently sit at the foot of the table, but with just three points separating the two sides, they will be desperate to register their first points of the season. Bootle, meanwhile, sit third and know that a victory could move them closer to league leaders MSB Woolton, depending on other results.

Club Fact File – St Helens Rovers

• Nickname: Rovers

• Ground: Sutton Leisure Centre