Castleton Gabriels Vs Bootle

Castleton’s new signing Todd Hayes took up his position in the starting eleven for Saturday’s game against Bootle. Andrew Pheby kept his place upfront ahead of Christian Evans, and with Steve McCann still injured, Michael Ward took up the position of centre back.

From the off the Gabs pressed for an early goal. Wingers Todd Hayes and Nathan Eastmond testing Bootle’s wing backs. And Gabs nearly broke the dead lock when Eastmond was put through 1-on-1 with the keeper, only for his shot to be blocked by the Bootle stopper.

Not long after Eastmond again, darted down the wing, dribbled into the box and from an acute angle hit a curling shot that rattled the crossbar. The Gabs took a strong grip on the match early on and were unlucky not to have scored.

20 minutes in and Bootle began to change the direction of play. Mark Canning having to make several excellent saves from Bootle’s long-range efforts.
Dealing with the pace of the Visitors wingers was proving to be a difficult task for the Gabs defence. In particular, the Bootle right-winger was enjoying the freedom of the right flank, and was able to create a few chances, but to no avail.

A lapse in concentration from Castleton after 30 minutes resulted in the first goal of the game. Bootle had lost the ball to Michael Ward just outside the Castleton box, and instead of blasting the ball into the stands; he decided to pass to keeper Mark Canning, who under pressure from the leagues top scorer Andy fowler, fumbled the ball and Fowler was on hand for a simple tap in. 0-1.

Castleton’s midfield seemed unable to cope with Bootle’s neat passing and were loosing the midfield battle. They were forced to play very deep and resorted to playing long ball’s that, resulted in nothing more than Bootle counter attacking and having another shot go wide.

Half time eventually arrived with Castleton being forced to take a back seat in the game after making a promising start.

The game restarted and not soon after Castleton’s number one reporter had sat down, Bootle had scored again. A long ball played into the box found the diving head of O’Connor who had no trouble converting from close range. A soft goal and poor marking now left the Gabriel’s with a mountain to climb.0-2. Attempts at an equaliser were few and far between. Bootle controlled the game well and dominated for much of the game.

After 70 minutes Bootle began to press for a third. Again being very productive on the wings, they pressed down the left. And the wingman then cut inside, and was met by defender Graham Hicks who mistimed his tackle and left the referee no option but to award a penalty. Mark Canning did what he could to make the goal look no bigger than a matchbox … dived to his left … and remarkably “Saved” the penalty.

With shouts for handball appearing alarmingly regularly, on 77 minutes a shout for handball went up only this time there was real enthusiasm and conviction behind the appeal. The referee pointed to the spot for the second penalty of the game and Castleton’s first. Graham Hicks Stood over the ball and made no mistake in converting the penalty make the score a more respectable 1-2. Substitutes Carl Winstanley and Christian Evans did what they could to force an equaliser but were unable to prevent Bootle claiming a 1-2 victory away from home. And the final whistle was blown.

Castleton will need to tighten up at the back for the forthcoming game against Daisy Mill and will hoping to get back to winning ways sooner rather than later.