Bootle blow 3-1 lead and crash out of The Isuzu FA Trophy in dramatic fashion as The Purps win 5-3 on penalties.
By Brendan Doyle
Bootle positively started the game as they had most of the possession share in their favour whilst creating chances and looked comfortable in City of Liverpool’s final third. However, in the 18th minute, Elliot Morris took a free kick from a fair distance which bounced over Bootle debutant Damien Eastham which seen the game go 1-0 to The Purps.
Arthur Lomax Jones almost doubled the lead for The Purps whose free kick narrowly went over the bar. Almost ten minutes later Bootle hit the post after a Jay Cooper header clipped the frame.
Nonetheless Bootle managed to equalise with a Mackenzie O’Neill tapped in a rebound from a Jack Lenehan free kick. As the minutes went on the first half drew to a close without either side having a clear cut chance.
The second half couldn’t have started any worse for Bootle as City of Liverpool were awarded a penalty after a handball by Jay Cooper. Although Damien Eastham made a fantastic save on his Bootle debut and kept the game level.
Jay Cooper almost put The Bucks infront with another headed chance but was cleared off the line by former Bootle man Arthur Lomax Jones. City of Liverpool almost nudged in front as Danny Mitchley hit the bar from outside the area, putting a real scare into the game staying level.
Two minutes later, Bootle were awarded a penalty which Ben Hodkinson successfully converted putting Bootle 2-1 ahead. After just a few short minutes of scoring Bootle’s second, Ben Hodkinson put The Bucks 3-1 ahead which seemingly wrapped the game up.
Bootle would suffer a shock comeback from City of Liverpool with goals coming from Arthur Lomax Jones and Danny Mitchley in stoppage time. City of Liverpool would then go onto win the penalty shoot out 5-3 and advance to the next round of The Isuzu FA Trophy.
Bootle are back in action on Bank Holiday Monday as they host Vauxhall Motors, whilst City of Liverpool progress to play Mossley in the next round.