By Ben Shaw
The Bucks open their winning account for the year after a 2-0 win over Clitheroe at The Berry Street Garage Stadium.
It was a lively start from Bootle and it took only 7 minutes for the deadlock to be broken once Hodkinson's cross from the left hand side was put into a difficult area for Liam Irsherwood to deal with. His parry out only went as far as Sam Hughes who was in the right place at the right time to slot it home and give The Bucks an early advantage.
After a 10 minute spell of pressure from the visitors including a penalty shout, it was Bootle who almost doubled the lead after another cross into the box went through the legs of Courtney Duffus before landing at the feet of Joe Woolley who's near-post effort was blocked to deny him.
Clitheroe's best chance of the first half came from Leon Creech, who's dragged wide shot from 6 yards out gave The Bucks a massive let-off.
Just before half-time, Bootle again had a chance to double the lead, Jack Lenehan's efforts being denied from Isherwood at the edge of the box.
On the hour mark, player-manager Adam Morgan was dismissed by the referee for the away side after denying The Bucks a chance at a quick throw in to capitalise on an out of position Liam Irsherwood.
5 minutes later, Clitheroe had another brilliant chance to level the match after Parney's volley was parried away by Thompson into the feet of Gill who beat Thompson but not the near post.
As the match heightened in intensity, it was Sean Williams who put the game out of sight. The Bootle midfielder's low driven shot from 25 yards out nestled into the bottom corner and settled any nerves of a late Clitheroe equaliser.
Full time result: Bootle 2 - 0 Clitheroe