McQueen’s cool finish

Apr 9 2009 by Paul Snowdon, Bootle Times

McQueen’s cool finish

A SINGLE late goal scored by Bootle skipper Neil McQueen was enough to give his side all three points against a resolute Cheadle Town at Bucks Park last Saturday.

The victory, coupled with their midweek 2-0 win over Eccleshall, sent Bootle eight points clear of their nearest rivals and keeping them firmly in command of their own destiny at the top of the Vodkat League First Division.

The Bucks, hit by both injuries and suspensions, were forced to make several changes to their regular line-up as they kicked off, against a strong wind, towards the Bootle end of the ground.

The home side, despite having the better of the first half, could find no way passed the formidable barrier of Tony O’Keefe in the visitors’ goal.

The burly Cheadle keeper was in excellent form and made quality saves from both Anthony Hickey and Steve Mahoney to keep the scoreline blank at the interval.

After the break, Bootle continued to force the pace but further saves from O’Keefe prevented them from scoring. The visitors meanwhile looked dangerous on the counter-attack, and twice Mark Mawdesley was forced into fine stops.

In addition, Mark Kilroy, who had been pressed in to the heart of the defence, made several good tackles to repel Cheadle’s attacks.

With a quarter-of-an-hour to play, Bootle made two substitutions.

Carl Dale, despite carrying an injury, came on along with Bootle player/manager Chris O’Brien.

Within minutes, both players forced saves from O’Keefe.

The home side, who continued to press, were finally rewarded when O’Keefe beat down a shot from O’Brien. Before the goalkeeper could recover, McQueen nipped in quickly to head the goal that gave Bootle the points.

Speaking after the match, the delighted Bootle skipper said: “It was one of the most rewarding goals I have scored.

“For a while, it looked as if we were going to drop two points.

“But all credit to the lads, they battled away to the end and, finally, we got the decisive goal.”

Bootle’s excellent run came to abrupt end on Tuesday night. A 50th minute goal from Mahoney was all they could muster as strikes from Paul Southward and a Brian Dawson double gave Holker Old Boys a 3-1 win in Cumbria.

Bootle play at Bucks Park again this Saturday in their penultimate home game of the season. Leek CSOB are the visitors. The match kicks-off at 3pm.

Bootle’s reserves visit AFC Fylde on Saturday.