Match Preview: West Kirby United vs Bootle FC Women

By Freddie Bullen

Bootle FC Women round off the month with a return to league action for the first time in 2026 as they travel to Anglesey Road Playing Fields to face West Kirby United. The girls will be looking to build momentum and secure their first three league points since October, as they kick off the new year with renewed focus and determination.

Last weekend, Bootle’s scheduled cup tie away at Hesketh Colts was called off following a referee’s pitch inspection. In a sporting gesture, Hesketh offered the travelling Bootle side a friendly, which was played at Fleetwood Hesketh, the Colts’ home ground. Abbi Fowler proved to be the difference in the first half, latching onto a perfectly weighted through ball before finishing calmly to put Bootle ahead. Unfortunately, the game was abandoned at half time, meaning the girls left Southport having played just 45 minutes and with no cup points to show for their efforts. The postponed cup fixture has now been rescheduled for mid-April at Fleetwood Hesketh.

West Kirby United began their 2026 campaign in emphatic fashion last weekend with an 8–2 victory over the University of Liverpool FC in the LWYFL Open Age Cup. Four different players found the net for the hosts, with Isabelle Austin-Short and Anna Burgess both claiming hat-tricks, while Ella Baker and Lowri Claybrook also added their names to the scoresheet. It was a dominant and confidence-boosting performance for Sunday’s hosts, who will head into the clash full of belief as they welcome Bootle to Anglesey Road.

West Kirby currently sit above Bootle in fifth place, with just two points separating the sides going into Sunday’s fixture. With the season moving into its second half, both teams will be eager to close the gap on the promotion places and strengthen their league position. Bootle FC Women have been putting in the hard work on the training ground throughout the week as they prepare for an important league clash against a direct promotion rival.