FC Bootle were in good form, currently top of thier league and Genesis have struggled to do well in the National Churches Cup. Genesis started well and were on top for the first 35mins. However against the run of play FC Bootle went ahead Genesis came back to 2-2 at half time a little puzzled at how we weren't 4-0 up. Chris For dnad Ian Rbertson getting the goals. In the second half Bootle snatched another goal to go 3-2 up. Genesis showed great commttment and focus and continued to create chances. The big boys at the back came up trumps as Meadwell scored a great header and Andy Cook also scored from a corner. Genesis continued to dominate and Ian Robertson put the game out of reach with a screamer. Jez crossed a ball behind the defence and Ian volleyed from a very tight angle, a strong contender for goal of the season. A Classic Cuthbert strike from 25yards into the top corner finished Bootle off. Some great performances from Ian Robertson and Tom, but MoM was the rock at the back Andy Cook. 

After two consecutive defeats, Genesis were looking to turn things around. It was a massive game in our season, another defeat would mean we were well out of the promotion race. The game started poorly for us, we couldn’t settle at all and they were having chances all over the shop. A combination of last ditch defending and poor finishing kept things at 0-0 for the first twenty. But eventually they broke down our left, cut inside and everyone expected a cross. Unfortunately, their player realised this and ran towards goal, lit a cigar, and finished it off. Half-time and we hadn’t tested their keeper, and were probably lucky to only be 1-0 down. Nige came off the bench in the second half and was quickly into the action. A cut back from Jordan to Nige produced a tremendous save from the goalkeeper. Maybe it wasn’t going to be our day? But looking around there was something written in the whites of the eyes of the genesis players……….Belief.

 

Matt Reed broke down the left and had the presence of mind to pass inside to the unmarked Nige. The finish was a formality. The game moved on and it was looking like both sides would have to settle for a point. But, with five minutes to go Matt Reed played the ball down the left to Nige, who cut inside, megged the defender and blasted into the corner. The crowd went wild. But genesis weren’t finished, Nige picked the ball up in midfield and tried to kill some time by playing it out wide to Jon Stainbridge, but he had other ideas. A nice one two with Barteck, then a beauty of a cross for Matt Reed to finish with class. The crowd went wild again. We felt bad about the score line flattering us a bit so we let them have a goal back at the death, but it was our day. It was one of those games when you feel voting for a man of the match seems wrong somehow. However, we settled for the excellent Chris Coward, and 13 close runners up.