FA Vase Third Round - Cleethorpes Town 2 Bootle 1
Sun 4th December 2016 | FA Challenge Vase | By Connor O`Neill
In the end, it was as about as heartbreaking as it gets. Having taken the lead with just five minutes remaining, it looked as though Bootle would be heading into the fourth round of the Buildabase FA Vase for the first time in their history. But a late Brody Robertson brace left the the Bucks heartbroken.
How the Bucks didn't score more remains a mystery. They dominated for large parts of the game and a created a host of chances against their Northern Counties East league opponents.
The Bucks first effort came inside the opening minute when Daniel O'Connor's long range effort went just wide of Liam Highton's post. Kieran Haligan then fired wide for the Bucks after collecting Ryan Cox's pass.
However, despite the early dominance, the first real chance of the game fell the way of the hosts as they were awarded a penalty. Paul Woollcott was judged to have blocked Brody Robertson with the referee having little hesitation in pointing to spot. But just like he'd done twice in November, Bootle keeper Ryan Jones saved Peter Winn's effort - superbly diving to his right to block the spot kick.
Jones was soon called into action again, this time blocking Mark Cooper's effort after the forward had turned and let fly inside the Bucks box.
But Bootle regained their composure, and finished the half the stronger of the two sides.
Ryan Cox went close to breaking the deadlock when he collected Ste Jones' flick on, before letting fly with a thunderous effort which was superbly tipped onto the post by Highton.
Carl Peers then fired over for Joe Doran's side, before Cox went close again. Michael Ordish advanced down the left, before crossing for Cox, whose near post header went agonisingly wide.
The second half however, was a much more open affair with both sides creating chances.
Steve Jones saw his shot comfortably collected by Highton. While at the other end, Ryan Jones saved well from both Jonathan Oglesby and Alex Flett.
Jones was soon called upon again, this superbly blocking Andy Taylor's effort after the substitute had pounced on Daniel Murphy's under hit back pass.
As time ticked on it looked as though it would take just a single goal to when the tie. And with five minutes remaining the Bucks thought they had it.
Like he'd done all game, Michael Ordish whipped in a superb cross from the left that found, who else, but Ryan Cox, who directed a bullet header into the far corner of the net to spark wild scenes from the Bucks travelling army.
But the Bucks dreams of the fourth round were soon dashed, as less than two minutes later the hosts were level. Brody Robertson collected Matthew Kingston's pass inside the Bucks box before firing into the bottom corner of Jones' net.
And the drama wasn't finished there, as in the first minute of stoppage time the hosts won it.
Matthew Bloomers long ball was latched onto by Robertson before the forward cut inside and fired an unstoppable strike into the roof of the net, leaving Joe Doran and his side heartbroken and wondering how they'd lost a game they'd dominated for large parts.
FA Vase Third Round - Cleethorpes Town 2 Bootle 1
Sun 4th December 2016 | FA Challenge Vase
By Connor O`Neill
In the end, it was as about as heartbreaking as it gets. Having taken the lead with just five minutes remaining, it looked as though Bootle would be heading into the fourth round of the Buildabase FA Vase for the first time in their history. But a late Brody Robertson brace left the the Bucks heartbroken.
How the Bucks didn't score more remains a mystery. They dominated for large parts of the game and a created a host of chances against their Northern Counties East league opponents.
The Bucks first effort came inside the opening minute when Daniel O'Connor's long range effort went just wide of Liam Highton's post. Kieran Haligan then fired wide for the Bucks after collecting Ryan Cox's pass.
However, despite the early dominance, the first real chance of the game fell the way of the hosts as they were awarded a penalty. Paul Woollcott was judged to have blocked Brody Robertson with the referee having little hesitation in pointing to spot. But just like he'd done twice in November, Bootle keeper Ryan Jones saved Peter Winn's effort - superbly diving to his right to block the spot kick.
Jones was soon called into action again, this time blocking Mark Cooper's effort after the forward had turned and let fly inside the Bucks box.
But Bootle regained their composure, and finished the half the stronger of the two sides.
Ryan Cox went close to breaking the deadlock when he collected Ste Jones' flick on, before letting fly with a thunderous effort which was superbly tipped onto the post by Highton.
Carl Peers then fired over for Joe Doran's side, before Cox went close again. Michael Ordish advanced down the left, before crossing for Cox, whose near post header went agonisingly wide.
The second half however, was a much more open affair with both sides creating chances.
Steve Jones saw his shot comfortably collected by Highton. While at the other end, Ryan Jones saved well from both Jonathan Oglesby and Alex Flett.
Jones was soon called upon again, this superbly blocking Andy Taylor's effort after the substitute had pounced on Daniel Murphy's under hit back pass.
As time ticked on it looked as though it would take just a single goal to when the tie. And with five minutes remaining the Bucks thought they had it.
Like he'd done all game, Michael Ordish whipped in a superb cross from the left that found, who else, but Ryan Cox, who directed a bullet header into the far corner of the net to spark wild scenes from the Bucks travelling army.
But the Bucks dreams of the fourth round were soon dashed, as less than two minutes later the hosts were level. Brody Robertson collected Matthew Kingston's pass inside the Bucks box before firing into the bottom corner of Jones' net.
And the drama wasn't finished there, as in the first minute of stoppage time the hosts won it.
Matthew Bloomers long ball was latched onto by Robertson before the forward cut inside and fired an unstoppable strike into the roof of the net, leaving Joe Doran and his side heartbroken and wondering how they'd lost a game they'd dominated for large parts.
