Bootle host Runcorn Linnets in Merseyside’s answer to Friday-night Football as The Bucks are searching for a much needed win.
They are going into game 10 after having opened their 2023/24 campaign with their only home win against Newcastle Town.
The Linnets are also struggling on the road, picking up five points from five games – despite winning their first.
The hosts
A mixed bag of results sees Bootle in 16th position of Northern Premier West Division – however, having not hosted a league game for six weeks, which came against local neighbours Vauxhall Motors – they will look to make the most of the return to their home atmosphere.
Saturday will mark a month of the appointment of manager, Mick McGraa.
He is the first boss to be contracted by The Bucks in their history, despite being their fourth appointment is just over a year.
Seeing his side only six points off the relegation zone, the ex-Motormen manager will be looking to make his next run of three successive home games count, starting with The Yellows.
The visitors
Runcorn see themselves in seventh position, after a strong run of five games, winning two and drawing two.
All of this, however, follows their FA Cup dismissal against Chorley – albeit managing to take them to a replay.
Billy Paynter’s men last managed a victory on the road at City of Liverpool in a 3-2 win back in mid-August, with their home form at the Millbank proving influential.
The Yellows have their eyes set on promotion after a heart-breaking campaign last year.
They lost their third final in a year last April in a play-off final against Workington, now losing back-to-back finals for promotion to the seventh tier.
They also lost to Marine in the Liverpool Senior Cup on penalties, 4-3.
The last time they met
The last meeting between the two sides came in the 2022/23 season, in previously mentioned Liverpool Senior Cup – with the winner eventually facing Marine.
A physical battle between the two Merseyside-based teams proved from the opening minutes, however the weather conditions contributed to a goalless draw.
The semi-final was then decided at the Berry Street Garage Stadium via a penalty shoot-out.
Runcorn Linnets went to the final, winning 4-2 from spot-kicks.
Ones to watch
Ex-Sunderland under-21s player Owen Robinson, who was once dubbed Wearside’s Mason Mount, made a permanent move back to Merseyside this summer signing for Marine.
The eventual transfer saw the midfielder manage a short-term loan move to Bootle.
The 20-year-old has netted four goals this campaign, seeing three of those come in the last month.
The Linnets’ talisman, Will Saxon, also has four goals to his name from midfield.
One came in the FA Cup tie against Chorley, which proved to be the goal that helped obtain the replay.
The summer arrival from Kidsgrove Athletic sparked the interest in an impressive outing against Runcorn last season in Paynter’s first game, leading to the 25-year-old being his first signing.
Bootle vs Runcorn Linnets kicks off at 7:45pm (Friday 27th October) at The Berry Street Garage stadium.
Tickets available on the gate | £8 Adults, £4 Concessions, £2 u16s |
