Undeserved Defeat at Bootle

It was a good strong start from the Bears as they dominated the early exchanges. Dan Cope hit the side netting then shot inches wide after a neat pass from Bevan Burey and Mini Adegbenro made several strong runs at the defenders.

Against the run of play Bootle took the lead on 12 minutes. A ball was played in to the Bears box out wide, Craig Ellison and a Bootle forward both went up for the ball, Ellison punching it away, only for the referee to point to the spot. No one really seemed to know why, including several home supporters. Possibly the ref thought Ellison had punched the forward, which he clearly hadn’t. Hickey stepped up and stroked the ball home, 1-0 Bootle.

Tom Stephens was linking well with Burey down the right and a good move between them led to Dean Warburton getting a chance but he fired over. Then Stephens himself had a go but the ball again went wide.

At the other end a dangerous cross into the Bears box was headed away well by Rick Peters under pressure.

Then came the most controversial moment of the game. Adegbenro collected the ball just outside the Bootle six yard box, as he tried to turn the defender, his legs were whipped from under him – Penalty, NO. The referee, bizarrely, gave Bootle the free-kick (even the Bootle keeper said it was a “stonewall penalty” ).

Congleton continued to have the better of the play but just couldn’t create a clear opening.

Half time: Bootle 1-0 Congleton Town

The second half saw both sides pushing in an open game, with half chances falling at both ends.

On 57 minutes the Bears were level. The ball found Cope with his back to goal. As he controlled the ball he was pushed, blatantly from behind. This time the referee did point to the spot and Warburton sent the keeper the wrong way, 1-1.

Ellison was called into action when a shot looked bound for the far corner, but he flew through the air and turned it away for a corner. Adegbenro then had a couple of chances, first running at goal, only to see the keeper clear the ball at the last moment, then getting into the box and trying to square to the unmarked Cope, when shooting might have been a better option and the ball was intercepted and cleared.

Warburton brought out a good save from the McGovern when he hit a real pile driver from the edge of the box and Burey had a half chance but spooned his effort over the bar.

Bootle went in front on 78 minutes. A miss-hit goal kick from McGovern down the centre beat the Bears defenders and was played neatly out to the left of the Bears box, the cross came in and Jones was on-hand to fire into the net. 2-1.

The Bears brought on Saul Henderson for Peters in an effort to snatch an equaliser and chances did come. Tom Schofield fed Adegbenro but he fired wide and Warburton made a strong run but his shot was gathered low by the keeper.

The final whistle brought an undeserved defeat for the Bears. They had matched their opponents in all areas of the field and will feel very unlucky to come away empty handed.

Team: Ellison, Stephens, Disney, Ryder, Peters (Henderson 83), Griffith (Speed 62), Burey, Warburton, Schofield Cope, Adegbenro
Unused: Foster, Williams, Jamieson

Attendance: 140, Bears Man of the Match: Dean Warburton