Match Preview: Bootle FC Women vs St Helens Rovers

By Freddie Bullen

Photos: Kate Tencza

This afternoon, Bootle FC Women finally return to The Berry Street Garage Stadium following a frustrating spell of postponements. The Bucks are back in LWYL Open Age Cup action as St Helens Rovers make the trip to L30, with valuable group stage points on the line. Bootle will be determined to secure three points to strengthen their push for a place in the knockout stages and build momentum on home turf.

Two weeks ago, the girls endured a tough afternoon on the road as they fell to a 5-1 defeat against MSB Woolton Reserves. After an early save from Izzy Cartwright kept things level, the hosts struck on seven minutes and capitalised on a difficult spell before half-time to take a commanding 4-0 lead into the break, adding a fifth shortly after the restart. To their credit, Bootle showed greater resilience in the second half, with Taylor Castley causing problems in attack before Millie Davis curled home a late free-kick to grab a deserved consolation. Despite the improved display after the interval, the damage had already been done.

This afternoon’s visitors, St Helens Rovers, have also faced challenges this season in LWYFL Division 2. Currently sitting eighth and in the relegation zone, just two points behind Bootle, Rovers will view today’s cup fixture as an opportunity to reset and chase their first points of the group stage. Their last outing in the LWYL Open Age Cup ended in a 4-1 defeat to Wirral Phoenix in mid-January. Despite the scoreline, it was a spirited performance, with Rebekka Roberts striking the upright before half-time in what could have changed the complexion of the game. As Rovers pushed for a way back into the contest late on, they were caught out and conceded twice more, but they could take pride in a committed display on a cold Sunday away from home.

The last time Rovers visited The Berry Street Garage Stadium came in October in the LCFA Women’s Challenge Cup, when the sides played out a dramatic encounter. Bootle suffered penalty heartbreak after a 1-1 draw in difficult conditions. Eva Isuala fired the Bucks ahead early in the second half, and it looked as though they would see the game out. However, a stoppage-time equaliser forced a shootout, where St Helens held their nerve to claim a 3-1 victory on penalties. Manager Alex Garbe was critical of his side’s performance that day and will be hoping for a strong response as the Bucks look to make home advantage count this afternoon.