Ben Hodkinson netted a hat-trick last weekend as Bootle kicked off Brian Richardson’s tenure in charge with a win as they overcame Market Drayton Town.
The treble helped Hodkinson move to top spot in the goalscoring charts as the Bucks picked up three points in the league campaign for the third time.
With the former Prescot Cables manager taking over from Chris Stammers and Richie Boswarva after the departure of long-serving manager Joe Doran, Saturday’s 3-0 win was his first in the Vesty Road hotseat.
But since the arrival of the veteran tactician, Bootle look to turn the corner and establish a run as they prepare for their clash with Ramsbottom United.
The Bucks were promoted to the Northern Premier Division as part of the FA’s upward movement, but after a slow start, the 26-year-old believes the change in management could be the catalyst to a change in their fortunes.
“I think the league took a bit of getting used to, a lot of the lads haven’t played in this league before,” he told Off The Park.
“I also think the lads were showing teams far too much respect we’ve got a good team, a good squad and most of the teams we’ve played I think we’ve dominated, think we missed a couple of chances and not been picking up points we should have.
“Now Brian’s came in, he knows this league I’m sure he’ll help us push on, climb the league and try get into the playoffs.”
Bootle’s Player of the Month for August made it six goals in three goals after securing the match ball against Market Drayton following a brace in the 3-2 defeat to Newcastle Town before opening the scoring in their 2-1 win over Runcorn Linnets.
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“Happy with that [goal scoring form so far] I think I’m double figures in all competitions now obviously made up with that but as long as it’s helping the team that’s all that really matters.
“Player of the Month is always nice to have, I think it was the fans who gave me that, they’ve been brilliant this season, don’t know if they really realise how much it helps when they’re all there.
“Especially the home crowd this season has been brilliant that first game against FC United, they definitely helped get us over the line and get the draw once the first goal went in the stadium was very noisy, without them I don’t think we would’ve got the equaliser it’s been brilliant to be honest.
“It’s always nice getting a hat-trick, I haven’t had one for a while to be honest it was a nice feeling and we got the win as well. It was good Saturday, enjoyed it.
“Just cut inside put it bottom right, then the second one [Paul] Foy and Carbo [Michael Carberry] had good build-up play then Carbo had a shot hit a defender and I was at the edge of the box and put it in the same bottom right corner.
“The last one, Carbo played Jack McGowan in and Jack was very unselfish and just put it on a plate for me it was a bit of a tap in and I got the hat-trick so I owe him one.”
