HICKEY GIVES BANG FOR THE BUCKS

CONGLETON 1 BOOTLE 2 Cope 20 Gillespie 57, Hickey 67

ASUPERB strike from Antony Hickey gave Bootle a deserved win over Congleton in a fine FA Vase encounter, as his side came back from a goal down to inflict a first defeat of the season on the Bears.

In a game that was littered with niggly fouls, the visitors fought hard to gain a place in the next round of the FA Vase and keep their dreams of a trip to Wembley in 2019 alive for a little while longer yet.

At the same time Bootle also gained a semblance of revenge by erasing the nightmare of their Bank Holiday beating at the same ground, which came after a torrid three-hour delay on the motorway.

In a first half of few chances, the home side took the lead that they just about deserved on the basis of the early exchanges.

It came on the 20-minute mark thanks to a strike right out of the top drawer from Daniel Cope.

Taking control of a crossfield pass, the striker took advantage of slack marking in spectacular style to stride forward before slotting home from 20 yards.

At that point, as Congleton took their one-goal lead into half-time, they looked set to book their place in the next round of the Vase.

However, it was a different story in the second half as Bootle worked harder.

In addition to their work ethic they had, in the form of striker Andy Gillespie, a man that was able to keep them in their opponents’ half with his clever play and seemingly endless energy – a true handful for the home defence to deal with.

So it was fitting that it was Gillespie that ultimately brought the sides level just before the hour mark.

The frontman latched on to a long ball into the penalty box before drilling past Craig Ellison in the home goal.

So good has Congleton’s start to the new season been that was in fact the first goal conceded by the home team in this campaign.

The goal appeared to deflate the hosts and they started to drop deeper and deeper in defence in an attempt to hold on to the 11 draw.

As they did so, a horrendously sliced clearance by Thomas Stephens fell to Hickey on 67 minutes.

The winger deftly took control of the bouncing ball with a high-quality touch, before smashing home a delightful effort to put his side into a 2-1 lead that they ultimately never surrendered.

The fact they eventually clinched victory however wasn’t thanks to a lack of trying from Congleton.

Visiting keeper Jack McGovern was made to work hard on multiple occasions with two very smart saves in quick successiong as the home side finally looked to find a way back into the game.

McGovern looked almost unbeatable between the sticks, although he can count himself very fortunate indeed that when he was finally beaten by Steve Foster, the Congleton forward’s fine volley crashed off the crossbar at great pace and bounced away to safety.

The result puts Bootle into the hat as they look to at least match their run to the second round from last season.