Squires Gate 4 Bootle 3: Match report

Ben Seear came in for the unavailable Mike Hall for this Hallmark Security League clash and scored the opener after five minutes, getting the final touch on Joe Noblet’s corner.

Bootle applied concerted pressure and equalised on 21 minutes, when a foul by player/boss Danny Penswick resulted in a free-kick which Steve Jones fired into the bottom corner.

And the game had been turned on its head 13 minutes later, Jones heading his second from inside the box.

Gate pulled level a minute before half-time with arguably the goal of the game, a Noblet free-kick fired superbly into the top corner.

There was still time for Bootle to regain the lead before the break, striker Ryan Cox heading past Ben Fletcher.

Gate were much-improved in the second half and equalised again on 57 minutes, when Jamie Gibson’s cross from the right was headed home by Ric Seear.

Bootle missed a good chance when Fletcher saved from Jones, who fired the rebound over the bar.

And Gate made them pay five minutes from the end, when Noblet’s free-kick from close to the corner flag was met with a glancing header into the bottom corner by in-form striker Brett Dawson.

Despite seven minutes of added time, Gate held on to go second in the premier division with three wins out of four.

MARK ASHMORE

Gate: Fletcher, Richards, Carroll, Penswick, Higham, Noblet, Mckendrick, Gibson, B. Seear, Dawson, R. Seear. Subs: Stayte, Buchan, Riley, Tanser.