Linnets pay the penalty price

BOOTLE manager Joe Doran asserted the decision to allow former Burscough favourite Chad Whyte to leave the Bucks was ‘nothing personal’.

Whyte was left out of several consecutive Bootle squads after a transfer approach was made by Linnets manager Nick Matthews earlier this season.

The striker, who has now signed for Ashton Town despite interest from Burscough and Vauxhall Motors, scored 35 goals at Victoria Road last term before joining Bootle in the summer.

Less than six months after making the move, however, Whyte was allowed to leave and Doran claims tactical reasons meant an exit was neccessary.

“Chad came in and we had great expectations and great hope,” he said.

“It’s nothing personal, it’s just other players came available that I felt could do a job. Chad is too good to sit on anyone’s bench so it’s better for him to go somewhere he’s playing and scoring goals.

“I’m pleased for Ashton Town that they’ve been able to get him and pleased for Chad to get a move he’s so happy with. It’s purely tactical, nothing personal.” Burscough gave National League North high-fliers Southport a scare in the Liverpool Senior Cup on Tuesday, taking the game to penalties.

Goals from Adam Weston and Jordan Coates secured a 2-2 draw with Liam Watson’s side but new signing Kevin Pollard’s penalty miss allowed Southport to register a 5-3 victory in the shoot-out.

Burscough return to NWCFL Premier Division action this weekend hoping the performance at Haig Avenue can reignite their faltering campaign.

Linnets are one point above the relegation zone and travel to eighth-place Winsford United on Saturday.