Bootle FC 1 Northwich Victoria 1

COMPETITION -North West Counties Premier Division.
DATE - Saturday 27th April 2019.
VENUE - TDP Solicitors Stadium, Bootle
LINE-UPVics’ -
Taberner, Camozzi, Barski, Kenny, Fleming , Winder, Clarke,(Craig 72') Cooke, (Whyte 88') Connolly, Brownhill), Mason (Darr 80')
Unused Subs’ - FitzGerald, Cottam,

GOALS - Bootle : Loughlin 52' Pen
Vics : Mason 37'

Vics turned out to be the party poopers in a match which Bootle had to win to become Champions and be promoted. A large expectant crowd was on hand to watch an insipid display from the Bucks who never really got over the expectations of the occasion.nor mastered the strong wind and persistent rain. Most of the play was in midfield, with chances few and far between with the first real effort not coming until half an hour in when John Connolly received about 25 yards out and made room for a shot which fizzled just past the left post. Vics did take the lead shortly afterwards on 37 minutes, when a fine cross from Ryan Winder was expertly glanced into the net by Darrhyl Mason.

HALF-TIME : Bootle 0 Northwich Vics 1

Bootle had the ideal start to the second half, when during a goalmouth scramble, they were awarded a penalty for handball by Jack Fleming as the ball pinged around the 6 yard box. Liam Louglin confidently sent Danny Taberner the wrong way to pull Bootle level. However the expected onslaught by them in a match they had to win, never came and indeed Taberner had very little to do. In fact it was Vics who were looking the most dangerous and it was only Halligan's last ditch intervention that prevented Darrhyl Mason from scoring his, and Vics' second at the back post. Then good interplay by Vics set Joe Camozzi free down the right and his cross cum shot scraped the top of the bar. Soon after, Jordan Darr's speed got him round the Bootle keeper Ryan Jones, but an extra touch took him just too wide and his shot hit the side netting. Bootle's day was summed up when a late corner by Lee Hughes was way overhit and went out for a throw to Vics on the other side of the field.

FULL-TIME - Bootle 1 Northwich Vics 1

A match that never really got going in atrocious conditions with the highlight being the Vics' supporters who never stopped singing throughout the match
Manager Steve Wilkes' view : " A really good, professional performance this afternoon to end what has been a very good league campaign. It’s also an achievement being the first team this year to take points off Bootle who prior to this fixture won twenty straight league games.
Congratulations to Craig Robinson and everyone at City of Liverpool, this is a very tough league to win. Onto Thursday night now and a cup final that everyone connected to Northwich deserves to be in"

.Next Match : Thursday 2nd May at Wincham Park v Winsford Utd ( Mid Cheshire Cup Final)