The Bucks make the journey to take on league table 11th placed Kidsgrove Athletic in an attempt to gain three points and a prosperous trip back to Merseyside.
By Brendan Doyle
After a dream start to the league campaign with three straight wins along with three clean sheets, Bootle suffered two demoralising back to back to defeats on the recent bank holiday weekend against City Of Liverpool in The Izusu Trophy in a penalty shootout in Widnes and faced a 6-3 defeat at home to Mick McGraa’s former side Vauxhall Motors despite being 3-0 ahead after just fourteen minutes.
Nonetheless, the lads showed tremendous character and fight by defeating Avro 2-1 at The Berry Street Garage Stadium despite being 1-0 down due to a sensational strike from Liam Ellis outside the box flying past Ally Hughes.
Although just four minutes after a falling a goal behind, Jack Lenehan fired in yet another free kick into the Avro net. The game was closely contested up until the 82 minute until Michael Burkey produced a touch of magic with the ball at his feet in the Avro area and fired his shot into the back of the net which sealed a win for The Bucks. A perfect response from the lads after such a devastating bank holiday weekend. The Bucks now sit second in the league table, but a win against the hosts on Tuesday night would see Mick McGraa’s side sit top of the tree.
The hosts have only picked up two wins so far in the league campaign which was both in August including a win 4-0 home win against home win against Witton Albion and a 2-1 win away to Hednesford. Despite the positive results in the previous month, luck for The Grove hasn’t been much in their favour with two losses and one draw in the league campaign.
Overcoming a challenge against the visitors with a win for Anthony Malbon’s side would certainly please their supporters and install faith amongst the squad, staff and The Grove faithful that they could possibly push on to climb further up the league ladder.
Club Fact File:
Founded: 1952
Ground: Kidsgrove Athletic host their fixtures at Hollinwood Road in the Clough Hall area of Kidsgrove which holds a capacity of 2,000.
Manager: Anthony Malbon spent 27 days as manager of Stafford Town. October 2022, briefly stepping away from his playing duties with Eccleshall and returning afterwards. He won his debut managerial match 3–2 at home to Alsager Town. He was assigned as Kidsgrove Athletic's interim manager after the departure of Scott Dundas in March 2024. As a player Malbon also featured for numerous clubs such as Port Vale, Leek Town, Newcastle Town, Kiddiminister Harriers, Stalybridge Celtic, Hanley Town, Eccleshall, Wolstanton United and even served time playing for Kidsgrove Athletic’s reserves and first team.
Recent Honours:
North West Counties Premier Division Champions 1997/98, 2001/02
Staffordshire Senior Cup Winners 2003/04, 2006/07, 2008/09, 2010/11, 2011/12
Tickets are available on the gate and the satnav address is the Autonet Insurance Stadium, Hollinwood Road, Kidsgrove, Stoke-on-Trent, ST7 1DQ.
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