Bootle faced a 5-3 defeat at Shawbridge against hosts Clitheroe, whilst Bootle were 5-1 down Lewis Reilly managed to score two very late goals but unfortunately it was too little too late.
By Brendan Doyle
Bootle started the afternoon off fairly well with a goal from debutant Amadou Doumbia after capitalising on a bad pass from Clitheroe‘s midfield errors. Ben Hodkinson almost doubled Bootle’s lead minutes later with a well struck shot but the effort was tremendously blocked by Dominic Rouse.
After the half an hour mark Clitheroe seemed to get themselves back in the game as they found more possession of the ball and penetrated Bootle’s defence. Eventually their goal came as a free kick was floated in which found the head of the centre half for Clitheroe who knocked the ball onto Charlie Hayes Green who’s effort found the back of the net levelling up the score line.
Just five minutes later Clitheroe were awarded a controversial penalty which the captain Richard Baker stepped up and successfully converted which lead to Clitheroe being 2-1 up going into the tunnel at half time.
Clitheroe entered the second half completely in control of possession and after just five minutes Veron Parny found the net and made the scoreline 3-1 putting The Blues comfortably in front. Just five minutes later Clitheroe fan favourite Sefton Gonzales made it four to Clitheroe clinching his first goal since returning to the club after re-signing for a second time earlier in the week.
Clitheroe centre half Dominic Rouse was on the receiving end of a red card after a second bookable offence, despite having the extra man on the pitch The Bucks still had an uphill battle on their hands.
The towering centre forward Gonzales once again got his name on the scoresheet after his effort once again beat debutant Bootle goalkeeper Ciaran O’Loughlin, a fantastic return for Gonzales as the Clitheroe faithful loudly sang his name.
As Clitheroe were relaxed on the ball and seeing the game out in the dying stages of the game, Lewis Reilly managed to snatch two late goals within two minutes. Five additional minutes were added on after Reilly scored his second but it was still not enough time for Bootle to gain anything from the game.
A really disappointing day out for The Bucks and certainly one the fans, players and management will surely want to put behind them as their focus goes to a home fixture against Stafford Rangers on October 5th at 3pm at The Berry Street Garage Stadium.