Bootle exit the Liverpool Senior Cup after a 1-0 away defeat to Runcorn Linnets.
By Brendan Doyle
In the first ten minutes after kick off, Bootle seemed to be more or less in control of the game having the bigger share of possession and creating threats around the Runcorn Linnets area.
A chance fell to Bootle when Sean Smith aimed for glory from outside the area which looked very promising until the Linnets keeper Bayleigh Passant tipped the effort over the bar. Although four minutes later Bootle went 1-0 down after the ball hit the head of Courtney Duffus and found its way into the back of his own net.
Bootle just narrowly missed out on an equaliser as Ben Hodkinson attempted an effort aiming for the far post but the ball fizzled just wide. Ten minutes later Runcorn Linnets came close to doubling their league as Adam Morgan took a shot from about 35 yards out which looked threatening but the ball only bounced off the top of the net.
Only minutes later Bootle were caught out by a ball over the top from Sam Barratt which Adam Morgan ran onto but his connection only forced the ball to fall way wide of the Bootle goalmouth.
In the second half Bootle hardly troubled Bayleigh Passant but had a lot of possession with creating a few chances. Ben Hodkinson successfully cut inside on his weaker foot but managed to get his shot away but Passant made an easy save.
Mackenzie O’Neil received the ball on the bounce and his shot seemed to have a fair bit of power behind it but the shot was straight into the direction of where Bayleigh Passant was stood and another easy save was made.
Bootle won a free kick which was shooting range for Jack Lenehan and The Bucks were hoping for a late equaliser coming by way of one of Lenehan’s famous free kick goals, but unfortunately the effort only went way over the bar.
The full time scored finished 1-0 to the hosts Runcorn Linnets and Bootle exit the Liverpool Senior Cup.