Bootle vs 1874 Northwich

Recap

PARKER STRIKE SEALS FIRST WIN IN SIX
BY GARRY CLARKE

BOOTLE 0-1 1874 NORTHWICH HSL PREMIER 28TH OCTOBER 2017

A 51st minute strike by Jake Parker was enough for 1874 Northwich to win in the Hallmark Security League for the first time since August.

Having played far fewer league games than other clubs due to their cup exploits, 1874 entered the game situated in the Premier Division relegation zone but the three hard earned points gained at Bootle moved them up to 16th in the table.

With strong winds gusting across the TDP Solicitors Stadium hindering attempts to play free flowing passing football, both sides worked hard to keep the 203 strong crowd entertained.

In the early minutes Scott McGowan went close twice; having a shot blocked by Bootle goalkeeper Jordan Gidley and seeing another effort clear the bar. At the other end Connor Millington and Ryan Cox were both just of target, while Michael Ordish scrapped the top of 1874’s bar with a free kick.

Jack Lever delivered a tantalizing cross from the right wing in between the retreating Bootle backline and Keeper Gidley which was inches out of the reach of Parker sliding in at the back post.

Connor Ellis-Pratt shot wide of the 1874 goal just before the half hour mark and minutes later Greg Hall made a good block with his feet at point blank range to deny the same player.

Moments before half time, an Adam Whitlock cross caused panic in the Bootle goalmouth. The ball bounced up off McGowan who directed it towards goal forcing Gidley to tip the ball over the bar.

After an even first half 1874 dominated the opening exchanges of the second half and made the breakthrough six minutes after the break.

The ball shot out of a thunderous midfield clash, travelling twenty yards it landed in the path of Parker, who moved into the Bootle area before calmly slotting it past Gidley.

1874 continued to apply the pressure but had to be careful not to be caught on the break by the home side, which defended well to keep 1874 at bay.

In the 75th minute Mark Jones met a Parker cross with a shot which was blocked on the edge of the area. The ball rebounded to Bootle substitute Ben Hodkinson who raced down field, closing in on goal his shot was blocked by the covering Ryan Mitchell.

A few minutes later a Whitlock corner caused panic in the Bootle goalmouth, in the ensuing scramble McGowan directed a shot towards goal but it hit a Bootle defender on the goal line before being cleared.

Third placed Bootle took control of the last fifteen minutes as they searched for an equaliser, but attack after attack was foiled by an outstanding 1874 rearguard which when breached was backed up by Hall, who pulled off a couple of good saves and dealt with crosses confidently.

Bootle’s best chance came deep into stoppage time. A low cross from the left was fired across the six yard box to Cox at the far post, Bootle’s top scorer, with 12 goals to his name already this season, with the goal at his mercy steered the ball wide from close range.

BOOTLE – Gidley, Coughlan (Kelly 83), Halligan, Murphy, Rendell, Woolcott, Ordish, Loughlin, Ellis-Pratt (Milne 83), Milington (Hodkinson 73), Cox. Subs not used Powell, Taylor.

1874 – Hall, Lever, L Jackson, Pritchard, Mitchell, Jones, Whitlock, M Woolley, McGowan (Riley 89), Parker (Woods 78), Kennerley (Hind 60). Subs not used Houghton, Waite-Jackson.

GOAL – 1874 Parker 51

ATTENDNACE 203 REFEREE M Scholes