FC Bootle 0-3 Newton - Match Report

Professional boxer and former world title holder Liam Smith netted and further strikes from Joe Walsh and Ross McDowell ended a brilliant unbeaten run of FC Bootle’s in the West Cheshire League, running out 3-0 winners at the Marine Travel Arena.

In net for both teams were two difference shot-stoppers as Paul Willis returned from injury and Ryan Jones, ex Litherland REMYCA and Bootle keeper, was donning the gloves for Newton and both were kept on their toes throughout.

FC Bootle began brighter and poacher Mark Madden was right in the action. His was first called up as his ball across the face fell to Karl Bergvist, who couldn’t divert his shot on target. The FC Bootle 10 tested Ryan Jones as a clean strike was won by the fingertips of Jones, who pushed Madden’s shot onto the post.

The visitors from Jericho Lane threatened Willis’ abode, with a perfectly-timed header from an advancing defender whistled round the post. Liam Smith struck a shot forward which was bundled wide before an excellent last-ditch tackle from Dylan Westerside thwarted any more danger.

The half ended in FC Bootle’s favour and in a passage of play which occurred many blocks and tackles, the MTA would be forgiven for scratching their head as to how at least one never went in. Mark Madden and Lewis O’Reilly had efforts bravely blocked, before the advancing Sam Carrol saw his venomous stop splendidly saved by Ryan Jones before a follow up was blocked. Last weeks four-midable Brad Shearwood found the target but Ryan Jones was on hand to thwart the pressure.

HT: FC Bootle 0-0 Newton

An FC Bootle substitute almost proved dividends as he almost picked out the corner, although his shot was dragged wide. Following on from this, the game hit its hot point. Dylan Westerside was controversially adjudged to have handled the ball in the area, resulting in a Newton spot-kick. The despair and confusion got the better of manager Ste Scott who, quite literally, saw red. Liam Smith stepped and and his calm penalty was placed far out the reach of Paul Willis.

A reaction was needed from this by the hosts and despite a free-kick by Shearwood drifting wide of Ryan Jones’ left-hand post, their heads seem to drop.

Ross McDowell was a ceaseless threat following his introduction from the bench and had some great chances of his own. He bust a gut to race through following an incisive midfield pass however, he couldn’t place into the corner before another shot of his was again denied by the out-stretched leg of Dylan Westerside.

FC Bootle’s misery was compounded as, in the space of a few minutes, Newton added two. To double the advantage, Joe Walsh beat Westerside to a tackle and raced forward from his own half. Walsh, once one-on-one, placed high over Willis’ shoulders for the second.

McDowell nestled home a third as he rolled past Willis after a crisp ball through into the path of the Newton 14. Despite best efforts from Dean Nunn and another chasing defender, he couldn’t catch up and this rounded off the scoring.

FT: FC Bootle 0-3 Newton