Cox at the double as Bucks conquer Congleton
RYAN Cox celebrated being named Hallmark Security league Premier Division player of the month by firing Bootle to the top of the table.
The hot-shot forward scored twice in the second half, taking his tally to 32 for the season to send his side two points clear of second place Runcorn Town.
The Bucks arrived at the Richborough Estates Stadium on the back of two consecutive wins over AFC Liverpool and Nelson and started the brighter of the two sides here, with Cox and Carl Peers both going close to opening the scoring.
Michael Ordish’s cross from the right was headed back across the face of goal by Ste Jones for Cox, who saw his effort blocked by Ross Heywood in the Town goal – the keeper then reacted brilliantly to block Peers’ follow-up.
Heywood was soon called into action again, this time denying Michael Carberry.
Fresh from his first goal for the club last weekend, the left wingback cut inside before letting fly with a leftfooted effort which was superbly tipped on to the bar by the Bears keeper.
While at the other end, Bootle keeper Ryan Jones remained largely untested with the Bucks nullifying Town’s attacking threat.
However, 12 minutes into the second half the Bucks broke the deadlock through, who else, but that man Cox. Ste Jones flicked Michael Ordish’s long ball into the path of Carl Peers. The midfielder then crossed for Cox, whose perfectly placed header found the bottom corner of the net.
Peers then fired wide for the Bucks – before Cox was denied a second by the linesman’s flag after he headed Peers’ free-kick into the top corner of the net.
While at the other end, the hosts’ best chance of the game came when Jack Pritchard crossed for substitute Ryan Hibbert, but the forward’s header went wide of Jones’ near post.
But with seven minutes remaining, Cox got his second; sealing all three points.
Michael Carberry’s cross was only half cleared as far as Peers whose low drive back across the face of the goal was turned home by Cox.