Bootle Vs Ormskirk - League Decider

It had arrived. After a disappointing midweek cup defeat, the Bucks had a chance for redemption. A good season is only a great season if you win something. No one remembers who finished second with a record points tally! The manager started with a strong team looking to make an impression. Harvey between the sticks, Allinson at the back, Freddo and Wadey in the middle with Lucas S playing the lone striker. Bootle started at a frantic pace pressing for all their life. Sweeney saw more of the ball than he had in the last two games as Charlie and Cody pulled the strings in midfield. The first goal arrived from a super team move as Max played it to Michael who switched it to Sweeney who played in Freddo. One nil and much deserved. The first quarter continued in the same vain, with Max a mere spectator. Unfortunately the Bucks couldn’t add to the score.

In to the second quarter and the gaffer kept it tight. Euan swapped with Sweeney up front to try and pressurise a good but pedestrian defence. Wadey and Freddo again controlled the midfield freeing up Michael to spread the ball around the park. This meant that chances began to fall to Euan up front only for them to either be stopped at the death or fall to his wrong foot. The tension was building as, despite little threat from the opposition, a freak goal could pull it all level. Half time and only one goal in it.

The penultimate quarter of the match had arrived. Tension was building and the side-line was deftly silent. Brayshaw arrived, followed later by Will. Even with the changes there was no let up for the opposition as Hudson drove with the ball, time and time again from defence only to struggle to find the right pass. Never the less with Brayshaw twisting and turning his opposition centre half in to the ground the breakthrough was not far away. Fortuitously, it came from a long through ball by Michael that bounced and led to a Lovren like hand ball from their centre half. PENALTY. No VAR needed. After some debate over who was going to take the pen and a vociferous tantrum from the sideline (sorry again). Allinson stepped up to bury the ball in to the net. Nothing the keeper could do. 2 nil and a bit of breathing space.
This was it. Final and season defining quarter. A dominant performance would mean nothing without a win. More pressing from the Buck’s as they peppered the goalie with shots. Euan again worked tirelessly off the ball to prevent Ormskirk from troubling Max in goal and Sweeney forced the defence to frequently back pedal. The pressure eventually told as Euan was tripped leaving a free kick for Lucas S to drive in to the top left corner. Surely that was it. 3 nil with 5 minutes to play. Despite a consolation goal from the boys in claret and blue it was Bootle’s day. From also rans to champions in less than a year. Well done lads. Time to build a legacy!