Bootle left to rue missed chances in Vase defeat
TWO second half goals from Joe Posthill and Chay Liddle were enough to secure Shildon a place in the next round of the FA Vase at the expense of Bootle.
Coming into the game on the back of a three-game winning run, confidence was high inside the Bucks camp.
However, it was the visitors who started the stronger and went close to opening the scoring through Dean Thaxton, but the forward failed to keep his shot down.
But as the half drew on, Bootle began to grow into the game and twice went close through Carl Peers before Michael Carberry fired wide.
Kieran Halligan then forced Shaun Newbrook into a save before Will Bell headed wide from a Liam Loughlin free kick.
Bootle started the second half in exactly the same way as they finished the first, but despite dominating possession they found it hard to create clearcut chances.
And with 54 minutes on the clock, the Bucks were made to pay for failing to take their chances when Posthill finished a fine counterattacking move.
From there, the Bucks began to struggle and couldn’t find a way past the excellent Shildon backline that was expertly marshalled by the impressive Daniel Moore.
And with 18 minutes remaining, any dreams the Bucks had of Wembley were crushed when Liddle added a second from range.
BY TOM CLARKE
MARINE battled through to the First Round of the Buildbase FA Trophy with a dramatic 3-2 win over Stalybridge Celtic.
Home captain Niall Cummins opened the scoring on 17 minutes with a rebound after some intense Marine pressure, but Kyle Hawley equalised for the visitors on 36 minutes.
Anthony Miley then tapped in a free kick with the last kick of the first half to give the Mariners the lead at the break.
Stalybridge fought back in the second half and Jon Ustabasi made it 2-2 just three minutes after the restart. Cummins struck again on 63 minutes though with another rebound to regain his side’s lead.
Celtic won a penalty in the last minute of added time, but Ustabasi blazed it over the bar as Marine progressed to the next round.
Star man: Niall Cummins.