Squires Gate Football Club Match Report

squires gate football club

Match Report

Bootle 4 - 0 Squires Gate

The reasons for this re-arranged fixture being played in Mid-December will only be known to the Vodkat League as Bootle's ground staff now faces a battle to resurrect their pitch which ended the game looking more like a Sunday morning pitch instead of a semi-pro playing surface.

With visitors Squires Gate in good form and great team spirit after Saturdays draw away at Congleton, Player/Manager Russ McKenna asked his players to show the same level of commitment and desire that had stood them in good stead in their previous match.

The Squires Gate line up included a father and son combo for what must be the first time in the league's history and a first for Squires Gate. Kenny Mayers father of Gate forward Lewis Mayers made his first full appearance for the club as Russ McKenna called on Mayers senior to add some experience to a Gate side that was missing some key first team regulars due to illness and suspension.

Kenny Mayers, who is also Assistant Manager at Clitheroe in the Unibond League, was to prove to be Gate's best player on the night as he looked to help Gate get something from the game.

It was Bootle who started the game strongly though and looked to open the scoring going close on several occasions although causing Gate keeper Andy Speight little trouble. Gate seemed to be off the pace as Bootle imposed their fast flowing style of play onto the game.

On 15mins Bootle nearly broke the deadlock, after some good interplay between 3 players saw their strikers volley go against the inside of Gate's post at the far post with keeper Speight unable to do anything but watch as the ball went back out and across his goal mouth.

Gate's players seemed to be finding the pitch hard going and several weak clearances again put pressure on the Gate goal. The experienced Kenny Mayers and Paul Ryan looked to break up Bootle's play but with others around them not on their own games this was a fruitless task for the centre-midfield paring.

On 26mins, full back Zach Thomas gave away a free-kick near the touchline 25yds out from goal, although the free-kick did not cause Gate any trouble, another weak clearance was only diverted into the path of midfielder Tyson who from 25yds struck the ball on the volley and his shot went sailing into Gate's goal with Speight just able to watch on.

Gate's first attempt of the game came on 32mins when after a half cleared corner, Andy Richards cross saw Lewis Mayers challenge the keeper and the ball fell to Mayer's senior whose shot was saved by the Bootle keeper at point blank range.

On 42mins Bootle were awarded a penalty after Kevan Ford brought down an on rushing Bootle midfielder with the referees assistant signalling to the referee of the offence. Bootle's captain and full back Kilroy stepped up and coolly placed the ball in the bottom right hand corner of the goal to make it 2.0 to the hosts at the half-time interval.

With some words of encouragement at half-time Gate started the second half on the front foot and looked to make their way back into the game knowing that an early goal would help get them on their way. As Gate pressed the usual strong back line for Gate seemed to be making several key mistakes and one of these lead to Bootle's third goal of the game when substitute Fowler latched onto a miss placed Ford pass and the striker coolly slotted the ball pass the helpless Speight to make it 3.0.

Bootle now seemingly in control sat back and looked to catch Gate on the break as the visitors tried to salvage something out of the game. A re-shuffle in the Gate side and the introduction of Alex McKendrick after 70mins saw Mayers Senior and Junior leading the Gate forward line. Some good build up play was not rewarded with a shot at goal and the Bootle keeper was to have an easy nights work.

In the 91st minute of the game another mistake was punished by Fowler as he ran onto a ball over the top and made it 4.0 to the hosts who now sit in 6th place with 4 games in hand.

Gate now look to Saturday and the visit of Newcastle Town who are unbeaten in 23 league games. Kick off is 3pm at School Lane.

Team : Speight, McCann, Benfield, Ford, Thomas, Richards, K Mayers, Ryan, Harvie, L Mayers, Bennett. Subs: McKendrick, Horrocks, Taylor

Att: 88

Match Photos December 15th 2009

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