18th November 2017 - Maine Road 0 v 4 Bootle FC - The embryonic snuffles of a cold are getting on my wick at the mo and a lug is playing up after years of noise laden endeavour - what a crock I am becoming! The morn was spent tidying, doing a bit of my latest book, sorting a few resupinate fungi (man they ain't easy to identify) and keeping active to ease some aching joints. My good lady had picked the young un' up as she was back from London University for a couple of days to watch a dance show (that's the evenings entertainment sorted then). After a shopping trip they kindly dropped me at football while they had another lasses excursion in search of treats. I was wrapped up warm as I didn't want to add 'winter willy wither' to my previous list of complaints, tis called common sense I hear (a very rare commodity I have seldom used - hence the physical gripes). I expected a close one today and Maine Road to defy their recent dip in form and put the wind up the rear of a very decent Bootle squad. My expectations were built of a foundation of 'the nonsensical' so anyone placing a bet based on my thoughts is best labelled a 'twat'. So, keep your money in your pockets peeps and enjoy the following report, I try my best don't ya know!
A perky start saw No 10 (Andrew Gillespie) for the travellers have a shot within seconds of the kick-off - it blazed across goal and needed no real defending. Bootle were passing well from the off but it was route one stuff that saw goalie play to defender who threaded to No 9 (Stephen Milne) at the front who dabbled and just missed - it was worth a dig. The start was tepid somewhat and it took a while for any semblance of domination to manifest itself. Quick feet from Road's No 8 (Jack Langford) were impressive and led to space being found and a shot let loose. The ball was dragged wide and little did we know that this was one of the rare glimpses of goal the home team would get all afternoon. As the leaden skies turned darker Bootle were patient and happy to try and construct from the rear. From the dull pregnant loins of Mother Match the guests won a free-kick that was put in, punted out and hoofed goalward by No 8 (Liam Loughlin). It was a tame effort and off target - our spirits remained dampened. Midfield was where the action was taking place, a mis-header by Road's No 6 (Rory Breslin) and Milne of Bootle burst in and tried to break the deadlock only to be denied by the netman who as well spread and saved the day thus far. The pressure now rose, a corner followed, all heads missed and a shot eventually came. The deflection was acute as well as cruel and a strike was had, No 7 (Kieran Halligan) being the joyous claimant.
Bootle were the quicker team all round and were showing a sharper desire and a greater coherence between each player, Road looked out of sync and desperately needed a stroke of luck to alter the flow. Bootle again, Milne had a close in shot that was reckless and was met with a response from the MR lads with a free kick that found Breslin's bonse. The nutted ball had no real sting and the goalkeeper caught with comparative ease. Bootle reacted, a shot was deflected and a corner given. The ball swung in, went out and a free-kick followed. In went the globe, Halligan connected but again No 1 (Ryan Livesey) threw himself low and blocked the attempt. A free-kick the other end found the free nugget of No 11 ....., the outcome was absolutely appalling and it was a golden opportunity wasted. From here the half trickled on and was eventually halted, there was only one team in it, but you just never know.
I had a wander, a bag of crisps and found some Swine-Cress at the side of the pitch. 10 Ring Necked Parakeets flew over, I hoped the second half would have more color than the birds impressive plumage.
A hard working start came to the second period with Bootle obviously up for more. Road looked for any fleeting fissure of illuminating hope and as the sky turned black so did their fortunes. A long ball for the away team, No 2 (Matthew Loughlan) displayed good strength and fed a colleague who crossed and allowed Gillespie to squeeze the ball home...just! The home army were now getting pushed back but managed to put together a promising passage of passing play. No 11 (Josh Winthrop) was involved and produced a dazzling move that saw a following shot breeze wide. The ball went up the other end, Milne connected in a danger free zone and went on a charge. The defenders were standing off and allowed the striker to cut a shot back that resulted in the struck sphere staying low and just sneaking in at the far post - it was a quite gratifying goal.
The Bucks now cemented their command, No 6 (Paul Woolcott) was supplying some exquisite touches and Loughlan on the wing was forever in space and highlighting once again Maine Road's lack of width. A screaming mitter failed to raise the home sides spirits and when a long range effort from Milne whizzed over the bar it was more than apparent the visitors wanted to add more polish to the end shine. Milne forced the issue again, he outstripped a defender who really should have cleared matters up and the shot that followed was luckily saved by a still alert netman. The possession game followed, MR needed to call upon an exorcist to banish the demons they were now obviously suffering from. Corners aplenty, neat one touch play and a cross that found the bonse of Gillespie who saw the shaved ball just miss the far stick. Within seconds the Bucks pinged the ball from left to right, a lay off was executed and No 11 (Connor Ellis-Pratt) had all the time in the world, shot low and grabbed the 4th of the day - job done. The half now progressed, the home side were frustrated by their lack of options, the away team were happy to protect the ball and play without rush. Before the final peep of the whistle the home No 9 (Jack Coop) had a rare pot shot at goal, it went way off target, it summed up the squads day and when the referee ended the agony it was a blessing without disguise. Bootle played a tidy game today and for me their No 7 (Kieran Haligan) deserved the Man of the Match choice. As industrious as Betty Boop in a knicker factory, as quick as a duck with diarrhoea and as troublesome as a pimple in the crack of the posterior this was an all round a good effort to be applauded...and applaud I do.
FINAL THOUGHT - 2 teams two situations are arising. Maine Road are a struggling unit at the moment and need to find their feet real soon or will slip and fall into a relegation battle that could bring ultimate doom. Too narrow, lacking urgency and with too many changes, the answer may be hard to find but they have some good players within the mix and there is still time to piss in the wind and make sure the resultant splash lands on the boots of the opponents rather than one's own. Bootle are a well-crafted side and are a tight unit who will always pose problems for anyone who they face. Tidy, well-drilled with good communication and several zipping players I reckon they will find themselves in the top 5 come the end of the season with many memorable wins under their belt. I am due a visit back down there end soon enough, I shall consult the diary and make a date. NB - Last year I attended this same fixture and Maine Road won 5 - 4 - it can be quite scary how times change!
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