Match Report: Chasetown 1-3 Bootle FC
The Bucks Are Back To Winning Ways
Bootle return to winning ways after defeating Chasetown at The Scholars Ground 3-1 after coming back from being a goal down early on, thanks to an equaliser from Jack McGowan and a brace from Ben Hodkinson.
Bootle got off to the game with a very bright early start up until Chasetown made their first attempt of the game in the seventh minute from a counter attack which seen Oliver Finney play the ball across the Bootle penalty area into the path of Ash Fallon to slot the ball home to give Chasetown the lead against the run of play. Bootle were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area which Jack McGowan stepped up to take but his effort from the set piece just narrowly dipped over the crossbar in an attempt to get Bootle level in the game.
Jack McGowan did however manage to level the game up after the hosts failed to clear the ball from their own area which McGowan leapt on and struck the ball past keeper Curtis Pond to bring Bootle level, this was Bootle’s fiftieth goal in all competitions in the 2026/27 campaign, and it’s still only mid October! Chasetown’s Matt Hearsey almost got them back in front after he attempted a curled effort towards the far corner but it just fizzed over the crossbar, the first half ended 1-1.
With just under ten minutes of play gone in the second half, the ball from a Matty Fenton throw in somehow found it’s way to Ben Hodkinson at the back post who took no chances and hit his close range effort into the back of the Chasetown net to put Bootle in front, a goal he’d be delighted with after his late penalty miss away to Hanley Town last Saturday. Five minutes after falling behind, Chasetown had a golden chance to equalise as Dylan Thomas was through on goal and had a shot but Joe Mason made himself big enough to keep Bootle in front, typical Joe Mason that is.
A penalty was awarded to Bootle in the seventy fifth minute of play which the man himself Ben Hodkinson stepped up to take and after Saturday’s events, possibly everyone at Bootle Football Club held their breath, but Hodkinson put his penalty past Curtis Pond to give Bootle a 3-1 goal lead in the game, never in doubt, never! Ben Hodkinson’s second and Bootle’s third of the game would be enough to seal a win for Alan Morgan’s side to return to winning ways in spectacular comeback fashion on the road. Up The Bucks!
