Fine start comes to nothing

Bootle 5 Widnes FC 2 WIDNES FC’s difficult start to life in the Hallmark Security League Premier Division continued last Saturday with a 5-2 defeat at Bootle.

Joey Dunn’s side began positively and were rewarded for their start when they took the lead.

Colin Quirk floated a corner into the area towards skipper Kev Pollard, who managed to peel away from his marker and direct a fine header into the net.

Bootle equalised on the 20-minute mark. Steven Jones neatly exchanged passes with Ryan Cox before arrowing a shot on goal, beneath the outstretched Louie Mackin.

Not to be deterred, Widnes quickly responded and immediately regained the lead. Sean Myler’s well-weighted ball over the top was superbly timed allowing Kev Towey to get in behind Bootle’s three-man backline, with the veteran striker lifting the ball over the on-rushing keeper Charlie Taylor.

Bootle equalised for a second time as the half-hour mark approached. It was a soft goal to concede from Widnes’s viewpoint, as the visitors failed to stop the cross from the left with Kieran Halligan rising to direct a header beyond Mackin.

The Bucks continued to press as the half drew to a close and took the lead for the first time inside stoppage-time. Slack Widnes defending was punished once again, as the unmarked Anthony Rendell finished low into the net.

With their tails up, Bootle added a fourth goal early in the second half.

Cox got in behind the Widnes defence relatively untroubled and had time in the area to beat Mackin with a lob to make it 4-2.

Joe Doran and Phil Stafford’s men added a fifth goal in added time. Cox won the flick-on ahead of Pollard leaving substitute Ben Hodkinson in space to fire a shot past goalkeeper Mackin.