Bootle continued their strong start to the 2026-27 season with a convincing 3-0 victory over Shifnal Town at Berry Street Garage Stadium on Saturday. The home side maintained their perfect record at home and solidified their position at the top of the table, reaching 36 points from 13 matches.

The opening stages saw an early opportunity for Bootle as Ryan Beigan was denied by Shifnal Town goalkeeper Andrew Wycherley following a low cross into the penalty area. Shifnal responded with an effort from Andre Landell, who cut inside before sending a dipping shot over the crossbar. However, it was Bootle who broke the deadlock shortly afterward. After a corner kick led to a scramble in the Shifnal penalty area, Sam Hughes capitalized by tapping the ball into an open net, giving the Bucks the lead.

Bootle’s midfield orchestrator Lewis Doyle was influential throughout the game, setting the pace and creating chances. The home side doubled their advantage in the 35th minute when Ben Hodkinson found space outside the box and unleashed a powerful shot beyond Wycherley. Hodkinson, who has been in prolific form this season, marked the goal as his 20th in all competitions.

The third goal came midway through the second half, with Charlie Forwood delivering a cross into the box that Hodkinson met with an impressive volley, extending Bootle’s lead to 3-0. This strike reinforced Bootle’s dominance and effectively sealed the win as the visitors were unable to mount a comeback.

Bootle maintained their undefeated home streak while continuing their push towards promotion or league success. The victory highlights their consistency and high level of performance in the early part of the season. For Shifnal Town, the match marked another challenging outing as they seek to improve their form.

Overall, Bootle’s combination of solid teamwork, sharp finishing, and midfield control secured a comfortable victory, much to the delight of the home supporters. Lewis Doyle’s commanding presence in midfield was widely regarded as the standout performance of the match.