Defiant Bucks Snatch A Point In Manchester

By Brendan Doyle

Credit: Joe Matthews

The Bucks started the game off brightly with a lot of creativity coming from young Nathan Sandison, he managed to win back possession in the Atherton Colleries area and lay off a ball to Jack Lenehan who then struck the ball with his weaker left foot but his effort only flew over the bar. Sandison also was involved in a chance as the ball came into his path after a cleared corner and he then whipped in a ball to Tom Hannigan who managed to connect to the ball with a header but the linesman flagged for offside.

A chance fell to Kenzie O’Neil after being played through by Jack Lenehan but O’Neil’s shot was saved by Colls keeper Sol Honor, minutes later the Bootle players shouted for two penalties within seconds after an alleged handball on each occasion but the referee didn’t agree with the appeals and waved play on. As Bootle continued to pile the pressure on the hosts, Jack Lenehan stepped up to take a free kick which he aimed for the far top corner but Sol Honor got a finger tip to the ball which led to the ball clipping the crossbar, a truly magnificent save from the goalkeeper.

Kenzie O’Neil carried the ball into the Atherton Colleries area and was then brought down by a defender and huge shouts for a penalty came from the Bootle players once again but as previously the referee didn’t point to the spot. Only three minutes later the hosts snatched an opener as Will Riding whipped a cross into the box and Colls skipper Calen Gallagher met it with a first time effort to put his side 1-0 up heading into half time.

Bootle puffed out their chests almost straight away as the second kicked off, Courtney Duffus almost levelled the game after meeting a Sean Smith cross with a flicked header but Sol Honor was once again there to catch the danger. Michael Simpson had a clear shot on goal just minutes later but his effort was safely blocked by Joe Piggot via a very well timed tackle in the box.

As the game reached it’s later stages, Sean Williams floated in a corner which found the head of Lewis Earl but Earl’s effort went way over as he couldn’t quite get the right connection on the ball, Courtney Duffus once again made a header effort after receiving a ball whipped in by Lewis Earl but the ball went just over the top left corner of the goal.

Courtney Duffus had a third crack at snatching an equaliser for Bootle as he’s struck the ball in the area which seemed to bobble in the area but it didn’t phase Sol Honor as he caught the effort straight into his arms, Honor was once again there to keep our an effort from Bootle as Ben Hodkinson flicked on a header from a Sean Williams free kick.

After plenty of chances and possession for Bootle throughout the game, Tom Owens came up with the goods to claim a late equaliser for Bootle after his right footed effort beat Sol Honor who was tremendous all afternoon. The referee and the linesman were having a discussion whether Tom Owens was offside for the goal but the decision was made that the goal would stand which rescued a vital point for Bootle on their quest for survival in the division which now leaves The Bucks six points above the relegation zone.

Atherton Collieries 1-1 Bootle