Bootle manager Mick McGraa is looking to their playoff showdown with Clitheroe as a chance to spark a home run.
The Bucks have picked up just 22 points from 15 home matches, winning six of those, despite boasting a formidable away record. Following their 1-0 win over Runcorn Linnets, Bootle became the second best team in the Northern Premier League West away from home.
Last time out at Vesty Road, Ben Darby cancelled out Michael Burkey’s opener as Mossley earned a point on Merseyside. This weekend, playoff rivals Clitheroe are looking to inflict disappointment on McGraa’s side.
While a solution to their home issues has yet to be found, the Bootle boss believes their form hasn’t been too bad.
He told Off The Park: “It’s been a problem since day one, the home form hasn’t been great. I don’t know how to put my finger on it, we’ve been here five months and I’m still scratching my head but we haven’t been beaten at home since City of Liverpool (December 26). It hasn’t been bad, we’ve just got a lot of draws, a win on Saturday would be nice.
“They’re a very good side, probably one of the best we’ve played. They’re big, strong and physical but the only advances are that they have to come and beat us so they might come out and leave space for us – if they do that, we can hurt them. They have to come out and try to beat us because a draw doesn’t help them, they’ve got big games coming up.”
Bootle sit fourth, level on points with Prescot Cables and Runcorn Linnets who sit second and third respectively. They host Clitheroe looking to create an 11-point gap from their playoff rivals with seven games remaining.
And the Bucks head into the encounter in-form and in high spirits following their derby win last weekend. “The lads are buzzing, it’s been a good dressing room for the last five or six games,” he added.
“It’s the belief for us, if we go into games thinking we can win, nine times out of 10 we do but I think if we can find a little bit of form at home, hopefully we can find the points to get into the playoffs. We’ve led 1-0 in most of the games, it’s the second half we’ve conceded sloppy goals but if we can put a performance in for 90 minutes, instead of 60, I think we’ll be fine but hopefully we can put it right on Saturday.
“If we can win on Saturday, it puts us in a great position but everyone is playing everyone in the next couple of weeks so there’s loads to play for. No one is in the playoffs yet, we’re all fighting for it, if we can win Saturday it’s a major step and could be 11 ahead of Clitheroe with a win.”
[Featured Image: Will Griffiths]
