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Sat 19 Sep 2015 ·  Premier Division
Bootle
First Team
3
2
Ashton up against it
The Yellows19 Sep 2015 - 21:34
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Bootle 3 Ashton Athletic 2
As we arrived the sun was shining today at the Delta Taxis stadium, home of Bootle FC. All was looking good after the 3-0 midweek win for Ashton Athletic. Optimism reigned.
The game kicked off and we were clearly on the back foot as the home side were a quality side, taking the lead after just 2 minutes. The ball broke from a corner and the resulting volley was smashed into the bottom corner, our keeper unsighted and unable to get across in time
The game was very compact, no width from either team and everything was played down the middle. Bootle having most of the play and having the best chances of the first encounters.
As the game went on Bootle made the most of one of their breaks. Their striker looked like he was about to pull the trigger forcing Tom Smythe at centre back to put a tackle in, bringing the player down. The Ref gave a penalty also deeming it a red card. A very dubious decision.
The resulting penalty was saved by Martin Pearson, unfortunately the Ashton team didn't react in time and the second goal was scored from the rebound. 2-0 Bootle. The score remained the same till half time.
Clearly some bold decisions took place in the break as 3 substitutions were made. Ashton changed formation going 3 at the back, making every effort to get back into the game with 10 men.
After the initial pressure from Bootle and a few scary attacks, Ashton began to come into the game and looked a real threat.
The left hand side of the team always looked productive. Adam Howard had a great chance with a header just over the bar and soon after that Casey put a great ball in, from the wing onto Ryan Small's head which he finished with quality 2-1.
The 10 men of Ashton looked good but Bootle kept pressing. Martin Pearson made a string of great saves throughout the game to keep us in it.
Indeed Bootle went 3-1 up with a good goal as Ashton began to look tired, trying to get back into the game and all looked over.
To the teams credit we never stopped battling and Adam Howard again was a selfless player on the left, setting up Danny Regan who superbly lobbed the keeper with a cool finish to make it 3-2.
Unfortunately despite loads of pressure towards the end, we couldn't capitalize on the situation but make no mistake the quality of the side is coming through.
Full Time Bootle 3 Ashton Athletic 2
The game kicked off and we were clearly on the back foot as the home side were a quality side, taking the lead after just 2 minutes. The ball broke from a corner and the resulting volley was smashed into the bottom corner, our keeper unsighted and unable to get across in time
The game was very compact, no width from either team and everything was played down the middle. Bootle having most of the play and having the best chances of the first encounters.
As the game went on Bootle made the most of one of their breaks. Their striker looked like he was about to pull the trigger forcing Tom Smythe at centre back to put a tackle in, bringing the player down. The Ref gave a penalty also deeming it a red card. A very dubious decision.
The resulting penalty was saved by Martin Pearson, unfortunately the Ashton team didn't react in time and the second goal was scored from the rebound. 2-0 Bootle. The score remained the same till half time.
Clearly some bold decisions took place in the break as 3 substitutions were made. Ashton changed formation going 3 at the back, making every effort to get back into the game with 10 men.
After the initial pressure from Bootle and a few scary attacks, Ashton began to come into the game and looked a real threat.
The left hand side of the team always looked productive. Adam Howard had a great chance with a header just over the bar and soon after that Casey put a great ball in, from the wing onto Ryan Small's head which he finished with quality 2-1.
The 10 men of Ashton looked good but Bootle kept pressing. Martin Pearson made a string of great saves throughout the game to keep us in it.
Indeed Bootle went 3-1 up with a good goal as Ashton began to look tired, trying to get back into the game and all looked over.
To the teams credit we never stopped battling and Adam Howard again was a selfless player on the left, setting up Danny Regan who superbly lobbed the keeper with a cool finish to make it 3-2.
Unfortunately despite loads of pressure towards the end, we couldn't capitalize on the situation but make no mistake the quality of the side is coming through.
Full Time Bootle 3 Ashton Athletic 2
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