It was a case of damage done in the first half as doubles from Eamon Price and Jack Leamey in the opening forty-five minutes helped Bootle edge past Maghull in a seven-goal thriller.

There were plenty of positives for Joe Doran and Phil Stafford to take from the game. Not only did their side continue their unbeaten start to pre-season, making it four wins and one draw from five games; they also continued their fine goal scoring form taking their tally to 22 so far this season.

Bootle’s campaign, kicks off a week on Sunday, when they face Northern Counties East League side Hallam in the Emirates FA Cup and it was clear to see Joe Doran and Phil Stafford’s squad, who also played two games last mid-week against St Helens Town and Hesketh Bank, will not be undercooked come Sunday August 6 as seventeen members of their squad completed at least forty-five minutes here.

There were less than five minutes on the clock when the Bucks broke the deadlock. Liam Loughlin released Robert Madine whose cross was only half cleared with Jack Leamey finding the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the box.

Madine, the latest recruit to the Bucks squad for the forthcoming campaign once again impressed. After making his debut against St Helens Town last Thursday, the central midfielder rarely wasted a pass and always looked comfortable when the ball arrived at his feet.

One became two on fourteen minutes, with Leamey playing the role of provider. The winger, playing on the left-hand side, advanced clear before finding Eamon Price inside the Maghull box, the Bucks forward cleverly turned his marker before firing home from close range.

To their credit though, the home side rallied well to going two goals down and reduced the deficit when former Buck James McGrane finished from close range.

Both sides then traded chances with Joe Conchie forcing Jordan Gidley into a flying save after the forward had connected with Joe Peacock’s low cross. While at the other end, Liam Loughlin saw his free-kick comfortably collected by the Maghull keeper.

The Bucks would, however, collect a third when Madine ushered Kieran Haligan forward and he wasted no time in whipping in a cross that fizzed across the face of goal and found Price, who arrived at the back post to finish from eight yards out.

But just like they’d done previously Joe Burns’ side came right back at the Bucks and once again reduced the deficit with another former Buck, Steve Williams, heading home from a corner.

In a breath-taking first forty-five though, the scoring wasn’t finished there as just like Price, Leamey collected his second of the afternoon. Liam Loughlin, like he so often does, split the Maghull defence with a fine through ball which was latched onto by Leamey who coolly composed himself before hammering the ball into the far corner of the net.

The second half was a much more low-key affair, with the Bucks dominating possession but failing to create any clear-cut chances.

Ste Jones did, however, force the Maghull keeper into a fine save. Some neat play eventually saw Jones collect the ball on the edge of the Maghull box – the forward then let-fly with an audacious chip that was athletically tipped over by the Maghull keeper.

By that time though, Maghull had added a third. Former Bootle forward Ronnie Morgan pounced on a defensive mix-up at the back before firing right-footed past a helpless Gidley.