Match Preview: Bootle FC Women vs Clay Brow FC Women
- Bootle FC Media Team
- Jan 11
- 2 min read
By Freddie Bullen
Photos: Kate Tencza
Bootle FC Women return to action on Sunday as they kick off 2026 with a major cup fixture at The Berry Street Garage Stadium, hosting league rivals Clay Brow in their opening group game of the LWYFL Open Age Cup. The Bucks will be eager to start the new year positively by claiming all three points against familiar opposition.
It has been a quiet winter period for Bootle, with their last scheduled fixture — a league clash at home to St Helens Rovers in mid-December — falling victim to a waterlogged pitch at Vesty Road. As a result, the squad has gone almost six weeks without competitive action. Despite the lay-off, the players have been working hard since returning to training on Sunday 4th January and are well prepared for the challenge that awaits this weekend.
Clay Brow find themselves in a similar position, having also gone nearly six weeks without playing. Their most recent outing was due to be away at West Kirby United, but that fixture ended in a walkover, meaning both sides come into Sunday’s match keen to shake off any rust and make a strong start to the year.
Sunday marks the second meeting between the two teams this season, with the first encounter taking place back in September — Bootle’s first away game of the campaign. That afternoon saw the Bucks suffer their first defeat of the season despite a promising performance. Alicia Bernard went close early on, while goalkeeper Darcy Beckett produced several excellent saves to keep the score level at the break. Bootle were undone early in the second half, conceding twice in quick succession, but responded well when Bernard converted from the penalty spot after Abbi Fowler was fouled. Late chances for Bernard, Fowler and Poppie O’Neil kept the pressure on, but Clay Brow secured the points with a late far-post finish.
With lessons learned from that encounter, Bootle will be determined to make home advantage count and get their LWYFL Open Age Cup campaign off to the perfect start against a strong Clay Brow side.