Ashton Athletic travel to the Delta Taxi Stadium in search of their first league win of the season. After a hard fought victory at the seaside in the FA Cup on 6/8/16 against AFC Blackpool, defensive mistakes saw them lose 1-0 at Barnton on 8/8/16 and draw 2-2 at home to Maine Road on 13/8/16.

The Yellows were disappointed to come away with a draw against the Sky Blues as they had a good number of chances to seal the victory, but only for them to be wasteful in front of goal. After an entertaining goalless first half, Maine Road took the lead on 49 minutes when Eder Ruiz-Villansante converted a cross from the left hand side, forcing the ball under Martin Pearson and Luke Holden. Ashton hit back straight away with a goal from Isaac Kusaloka in the 50th minute and then the took the lead 7 minutes later when a corner from Danny Smith was chested down by Luke Holden for Isaac Kusaloka to hit the bar and then fire home the rebound. The Yellows were looking good for the win until a needless nudge was penalised on the left hand side of the pitch and ex Yellow, Louis Edwards, leaping above Calum Wilson to head the ball home on his return to Brocstedes Park.

Bootle have enjoyed a decent start to the season, travelling to Abbey Hey to secure a 3-1 victory in the FA Cup but then falling to a 2-1 defeat at home to newly promoted Irlam and recording a 3-0 victory away to Barnton. Tom Peterson opening the scoring in the 24th minute but they had to wait until the last 11 minutes to make the 3 points safe. Jackson Ellis doubling the lead on 79 minutes and Kieran Halligan making it 3-0 10 minutes later.

Bootle enjoyed a 3-2 victory over The Yellows at the Delta Taxi Stadium last season. The Bucks went ahead in the 2nd minute with a William Smart goal and Tom Peterson doubled the lead on 28 minutes to give Bootle a 2-0 lead at half time. Ryan Small gave The Yellows hope with a goal on 10 minutes but Tom Peterson got his 2nd and Bootle's 3rd in the 78th minute. Danny Regan made it 3-2 with 8 minutes to go but Ashton couldn't find the goal they needed to take a share of the points.

Ashton Athletic Player/Joint Manager, Ben Kay:

"We travel to the Delta Taxi Stadium on the back of a very in-different start, a win (FA Cup) a loss and a draw leaves the 3 of us slightly frustrated.

We felt that we had enough chances on Saturday to win at least 3 games, and with gifting Maine Road both their goals we felt we threw away 2 points.

With games coming up thick and fast we find ourselves against one of the league favourites in Bootle. Joe has done some great business in the summer with the likes of Ryan Cox, Steve Jones and Franny Barry and in the 3 have one of the most prolific strike forces the Counties have seen, along with the likes of Liam Loughlin and Daniel O'Connor, I'm sure Joe will have them up there in contention.

We travel to Bootle having only taken one point in our previous 3 games there and we know we will have to be at our very best to take anything away on the night."

Bootle Last 3 Games
06/08/16 - Abbey Hey (A) W 3-1 FA Cup Extra Prelim
09/08/16 - Irlam (H) L 2-1
13/08/16 - Barnton (A) W 3-0

Ashton Athletic Last Games
06/08/16 - AFC Blackpool (A) W 1-0 FA Cup Extra Prelim
08/08/16 - Barnton (A) L 1-0
13/08/16 - Maine Road (H) D 2-2

Last 6 Meetings
17/10/15 - NWCFL Premier Division - Ashton Athletic 2 Bootle 3
19/09/15 - NWCFL Premier Division - Bootle 3 Ashton Athletic 2
24/01/15 - NWCFL Premier Division - Bootle 2 Ashton Athletic 2
02/09/14 - NWCFL Premier Division - Ashton Athletic 2 Bootle 1
18/01/14 - NWCFL Premier Division - Bootle 1 Ashton Athletic 0
03/12/13 - NWCFL Premier Division - Ashton Athletic 1 Bootle 0