Bootle FC U16s 6 vs 2 Northfield

It’s been three years since our last foray into the County Cup and by coincidence it was against Northfield who defeated a depleted squad that day due to holidays etc.

So we looked forward to today’s game with excitement and hope, with probably one of the best squads if not the best that we’ve had, to move into the next round.
This all looked uncertain at times though with the DoE, illness and injuries once again giving us a depleted squad but with Kieran on hand and available to play things certainly looked a lot easier and enabled us to field eleven players.

Onto the day of the game, it looked a warm sunny day as I looked out of my window that morning but it was soon clear once we arrived at Clubmoor that there was huge wind and this would play a part in the game.

With this in mind we told the lads to stay compact, keep the ball on the ground and move through the thirds, plus respect our opponents regardless of which division they are in.

The game got underway and it was quickly evident that it was going to be a scrappy game with the ball swirling around.
We started on the front foot but our opponents were not going to be step aside and certainly made us work for the ball and any openings that we had to create.
The first goal came through Jack who received a through ball from Tim, took one touch out his body, strode past his man and hit the bottom corner.
It was now all Bootle with endless attacks and chances created but we were not being calm and getting close enough to the man with the ball quickly enough, often leaving us isolated across the pitch. We still scored two goals before half time through Matty C and Callum who were both playing in positions that they normally don’t play for the team. Any attack that Northfield enjoyed were quickly snuffed out by our defence marshalled by Joel and Kieran, with Matty sweeping up as ever in goal. Northfield scored late on in the half due to a mix up in the defence, which should’ve been avoided.
HT 3-1
Stern words where given to the lads regardless of the score line due to our performance at times not being up to scratch, through our shape, composure and decision making, the task in the second half was to rectify this.
We kicked off and within minutes it was obvious that the lads had listened, we were closer to each other, the player with the ball had more options, the shape in general was an improvement and our movement off the ball plus quicker passing enabled us to take a stronger foothold on the game, well done lads.
The chances were now coming at every opportunity that we went forward with Jack n Callum in fine form, linking up play from midfield to attack. Callum got his hat trick in this half and Tom also got on the score sheet but we created a lot more chances that we should have put away. Northfield once again scored in this half through a fine strike but one that was once again avoidable.
Not long afterwards the whistle and we were in the hat for the next round of the County Cup.
FT 6-2

Good display at times but scrappy due to ourselves, we asked the lads at the end that ask is to do the right things all the time, irrespective of competition, opponents, line up, conditions etc
I am pleased to be in the hat and think with a full squad, we will give teams a game.

Goals Callum x 3, Jack x 1, Tom x 1 & Matty x 1

MOM Some good displays today, notably Kian at right back, Joel in defence, Callum in midfield and three goals but it goes to Jack who was industrious, worked his socks off in two positions, linked up play, scored a goal, created numerous chances and space for his team mates all day, well done mate.

A note to say thanks to Kieran today, it was great seeing him playing today and being back amongst the lads, what a fantastic lad and footballer he is, a credit and a joy to have in the team.