MATCH PREVIEW: Tough test for Reds against free-scoring Bootle
Reds embark on a busy final two months of the season starting with a trip to Bootle on Tuesday in an important NPL West Division encounter (7.45pm).
After completing just two league games in February, they face five matches in March and the same in April…….with the potential of two play-off games after that!
The rearranged fixture at Bootle is the first of those games with the division’s second top scorers keen to cause more problems for Chris Willcock’s side, having shared four goals at Borough Park three months ago. That game, Bootle’s only draw of the season, was played in the teeth of Storm Barra with both teams and the officials deserving great credit for completing ninety minutes in such hostile conditions.
The weather should be a bit kinder at the Berry Street Garage Stadium for the return fixture with 6th in the table Bootle still hopeful of claiming a play-off berth.
Like Reds, they have played fewer games than the four other clubs but both will be hoping to capitalise in one of their games in hand.
Bootle have scored 66 league goals this season, only Rylands (79) have netted more, so not the ideal situation for a makeshift defence with Dan Wordsworth starting his three match suspension.
They recorded their sixteenth win of the season at the weekend, overcoming 1874 by the odd goal in five in front of a 600 attendance. The division’s top scorer, Ben Hodkinson, scored his 20th goal of the campaign in that game.
Admission:
Adult – £8
Concession – £4
U16 – free
Postcode: Vesty Road, L30 1NY
