by Garry Clarke
WITH their midweek game at Colne called off due to a waterlogged pitch Warrington Rylands will be hoping to build on their 8-0 defeat of Ramsbottom United last weekend when they visit Bootle on Saturday.
Promoted from the North West Counties League alongside Rylands, Bootle welcome the Blues to their Berry Street Garage Stadium 9th in the NPL West table, six places and ten points behind Rylands.
With second-placed Workington not playing this weekend, Rylands currently in 3rd can leap frog their Cumbrian rivals and go second on goal difference if they win at Bootle.
While Rylands were beating Ramsbottom Bootle were winning 2-1 away at Kidsgrove Athletic, coming from behind after conceding an early goal two strikes from Jack McGowan took the points back to Merseyside.
Despite losing their two previous games Bootle have the 4th best record in the division over the past six games, just edging out Rylands who have the 5th best so a close exciting game should be in order.
The two teams have not met since the aborted 2019/20 season when the clashed 4 times, including cup ties, both sides winning two games apiece.
Dangerman for Bootle, amongst several, will be Ben Hodkinson who with 18 goals so far is the leading goal scorer in the NPL West, Rylands top goal scorer this season with 7 is Kane Drummond who bagged a hat-trick two years ago when Rylands last visited Bootle.
Kick-off at the Berry Street Garage Stadium, which is situated on Vesty Road L30 1NY is 3pm.
Admission is adults £8, concessions £4 and for accompanied under 16s free.
On the day Bootle are holding a food bank connection for the Sefton Community Pantry all donations welcome.
