Comeback kings Bootle win bragging rights in derby match

The game seemed to be in Bootle’s control, plenty of half chances including a great corner from Jay Roberts was nearly bundled in for an own goal by Glenn Rule, but fortunately for the Purps man it came of the post and cleared away.

City of Liverpool had a brilliant chance to take the lead. Josh Quarless beat a couple of Bootle men before having his effort parried by Theo Roberts.

A blistering run by Michael Carberry and a teasing ball across the face was met by Tom Peterson, who forced Purps keeper Ollie Martin into a fine stop.

The Bucks were put under heavy pressure by a rampant start to the second period for the Purps, with Theo Roberts in fine form against his former club.

A penalty was awarded to City of Liverpool after Jay McCarten appeared to have caught a Purps man, with James Edgar placing home as Theo Roberts stretched effort to save wasn’t good enough to deny a Purps opener.

But the Bucks calved several opportunities to reply and a deflected effort by Michael Carberry ended up past a busy Ollie Martin.

As the game reached the last five minutes, a nervy feel of the derby had engulfed the game, with boths teams knowing the game could be won or lost by a moment of magic or a slip up, and it did for City of Liverpool. A delicious free-kick by Morgan Homson-Smith ripped the net and sent the Bucks players and fans into jubilation.

An on-form Tom Peterson lashed onto a long ball that was bouncing and dinked it over the keeper to round off a perfect afternoon for the Bucks in this derby.