An Arsenal defensive collapse? Who'd have thought?

Arsenal Ladies vs Birmingham City Ladies

The Women's Super League is a semi-professional, summer league of eight teams at the top of the Women's game in England.  When I say top I mean financially of course, because that's what matters these days.  The league has been split into two segments, one either side of the impending 2011 Women's World Cup.  Not such a smart idea playing the WSL over the summer months, you might think.  The reason for this switch, which also throws the clubs out of sync for the Women's FA Cup, is to bring in more spectators and more interest.  It's so that the football can be screened on a big TV channel that everyone watches, like ESPN of course.  It's also so that there are no other pesky fixtures to distract people, football or otherwise and screw what the cricketers think.  Who watches cricket in the summer anyway, or any other sport for that matter?

Arsenal warm up before the game.

Regardless of whether the FA WSL is a good idea or not it has thrown up the biggest challenge to Arsenal Ladies dominance of the Women's game in England for a long while.  There are now several teams capable of competing with the Gunners on a regular basis in the league.  Birmingham City Ladies are definitely one of these teams and they went into the night at the head of the table, three points above the Gunners having played a game more.  Arsenal hosted this match at Meadow Park, their Borehamwood home and managed to draw an impressive crowd of 789.

Birmingham started the brighter with a couple of chances spurned.  The great family atmosphere at the game was exemplified early on by the seven year old near the front screaming "dickhead" at the referee, it was probably deserved as well as he made yet another poor decision; winning a corner or throw-in from this team of officials was very much a case of roll a six to start.  The one woman, Arsenal army briefly gave the girl-guide songs a rest to have a go at the ref, again correctly.  The Birmingham right-back, Weston, had decided it was probably easier to mark Rachel Yankey if she was rolling around on the floor in agony and promptly tried to cut her in half with a thumping tackle.  If it was in El Clasico she'd be off, as it was Weston saw yellow.  

The Birmingham ascendancy didn't last long as Kim Little's class started to show through in the Arsenal midfield.   Little's superb work playing in Danielle Carter and Ellen White up front or supplying a fully recovered Rachel Yankey on the wing was really starting to cause the Blues defence trouble.  Someone should really tell the Blues' defence they aren't good enough to play it out from the back.  Arsenal went close a couple of times as Chapman tested the Birmingham 'keeper and White shot narrowly wide after doing well to get in front of her marker.  Despite Jo Potter in the Birmingham midfield looking like the only player who could hold her own, Birmingham should've been in front; ex-Gunner Karen Carney spanking the ball over when it looked easier to score.  Carney's profligacy was punished almost instantly when Ellen White ran onto a long ball over the top and lofted the 'keeper from 25 yards.  Great finish and 1-0 Arsenal at half time.

Birmingham defend an Arsenal corner.

The Arsenal fans spent the break either discussing the goal, irritatingly talking about how "quaint" the ground was or wondering why Rachel Yankey was booked towards the end of the half.  For those fans still wondering, it was because she kicked the ball away.  You'd think Arsenal fans would know that rule better than anyone by now!  The aforementioned Yankey set White up early on in the second-period but she could only smash the ball against the bar.  This was the best chance Arsenal would get as a resurgent Birmingham went on the rampage.  Some great wing play saw a wonderful cross to the back stick, headed back across goal and into the bottom corner by Williams.

Arsenal looked for a response with Little trying to fashion chances but the Gunners backline, missing key players, looked visibly shaken.  Arsenal 'keeper, Emma Byrne, who was lucky to stay on the pitch having karate-kicked an opponent in the chest, found herself having to pick the ball out of the net again minutes later. The Arsenal defence looked startlingly like it's Premier League counterpart as a mistake allowed Carney to walk round the on-rushing 'keeper and slot home into an empty net.  Arsenal tried to unsettle the Birmingham back-line in the remaining 15 minutes but the Blues always looked comfortable as they claimed the three points to stay top of the WSL.

Next up: The final game of the regulation BSB Conference North season as Boston take on Vauxhall Motors at York St.

The Party Train

Nuneaton Town vs Boston United

Carvery of dreams!

The Pilgrims' hotly anticipated trip to the Liberty Way Stadium was so hotly anticipated that the police moved kick-off forward to 1 p.m.  This meant that the Party Train to the final away match of the regulation season had to depart from Bostonshire early.  A great turn out of people suffering from temporary balance issues meant that the atmosphere could be best described as "boisterous", so if you were on the train with some rowdy Boston fans then I apologise.  There was a police liaison to meet the Pilgrims off the train and advise on the "safe" places to go.  As it was there was no trouble at all but the advice did throw-up a pub called the Longshoot serving a full carvery for £3.50, talk about value for money!  Feeling fully stuffed several taxis were summoned to take the United fans to the ground.

The Boston fans seemed to have travelled well but the official attendance of 352 away fans out of a total of 1525 was a little disappointing.  There were bag searches on the way in but they were laughably ineffective as inflatables, titter-tape and toilet rolls slipped through the net.  The Boston were in fine voice and didn't let the near silent Nuneaton fans dampen the atmosphere as the sun shone warmly on the vocal away end.  The strike partnership which finished the Blyth match started this one as the managers made two changes.

The Boston fans begin to fill the stand

Nuneaton started really well and looked fresher after a weekend off.  They had several chances to go in front early on and only a good Bazza save followed by a Shane Clarke goal-line clearance kept the score level.  The parity didn't last long though as Nuneaton went in front on seven minutes.  Boston failed to effectively deal with another set piece and the loose ball fell to Hadland, who powered it home from a few yards out.  The setback didn't quieten the travelling support and the United players roused the fans even more as they slowly pulled themselves back into the match.

Bazza, what a LEGEND!

Boyes and Newsham both had chances narrowly wide as Semple and Yates supplied the ammunition.  Sleath was excellent all game and did really well to create an opportunity which Church couldn't quite convert.  Boyes had another shot just wide as the Pilgrims limited Nuneaton to long range efforts for the remainder of the half.  Half-time passed quickly as a scandal emerged from a rumour that there was no cheese left for the cheese-burgers.  Oh NO!

The Nuneaton goal, under attack from United...
and from toilet rolls.

The game was very tight at the start of the second half.  Chances were at a premium but both sides were playing some good football.  The first real chance of the half came on the hour and resulted in the Boston equalizer.  Canoville doing the honours, powering a header into the toilet roll strewn net following a fantastic Yates free-kick.  Nuneaton looked a bit shell-shocked and Boston were flying.

Weir-Daley and Dudfield came on in a reverse of Saturday's changes as United went for it.  The Pilgrims should have been in front but for a refereeing blunder.  The Town 'keeper made a hash of coming for a goal-bound Jelleyman cross, ploughed straight into the back of his own defender and the ball sailed in.  This Keystone Kops like defending was rewarded with a free-kick to Nuneaton.  I'm not entirely sure how that happened.  Boston had the monopoly on the remaining chances and only profligacy combined with some truly fantastic goalkeeping kept United from taking all three points.

Celebrating a point well earned.

Other results on the day ensured the Pilgrims will finish at least third and therefore play the first leg of the play-off semi-finals away on a Tuesday night either at Guiseley or back at Nuneaton.  United have nothing to fear from any team in the play-offs as each team is more than capable of beating any of the others.

Next up: Possibly at Borehamwood for Arsenal Ladies vs Birmingham Ladies in the Women's Super League if I can be bothered, if not then it'll be United's last home game against Vauxhall Motors.

Play-offs here we come!

Boston United vs Blyth Spartans

First off I want to say how impressed I am with the Blyth fans.  It's a hell of a long way and I don't know how many of the 1316 they brought but it was a brilliant effort for such a epic trip.  They definitely brought more than some other clubs; so I take my hat off to them, or I would if I wore one.  Following the shameful treatment Eastwood have received from the Conference, 500 seats only count as 500 seats if they are in two places or fewer apparently, Boston needed a win from this game, or for Solihull to drop points against Hinckley, to secure a play-off place.  This was either going to be really tough against an eighth placed team who'd just missed out on the play-offs themselves or really easy against one of the most inconsistent teams in the league.

The team colours are white, green and black;
the obvious choice for sock colour? Red, of course!

Following his less than sterling efforts during the Hyde and Stamford games, Cullingworth was replaced at right-back by Shane Clarke.  Semple and Dudfield returned to the team at the expense of Frost and Newsham.  Boston started well in front of a surprisingly active crowd basking in the sunshine.  Kevin 'Keith' Austin missed a golden opportunity early on as he headed a Yates free-kick high and wide.  You can't help but feel Pearson or even Canners would've scored that.  Weir-Daley knocked a tame shot into the 'keeper and Spartans went on the attack.  Brayson, who could easily finish the leagues top scorer, was denied by a good Sleath block.  Brayson was clean through again minutes later and this time it was some alert goalkeeping from Paul Bastock that kept him at bay.

Blyth attack the Pilgrims in front of the travelling Spartans.

Having survived a couple of scares the Pilgrims went up the other end and put the match to bed.  Blyth failed to clear a Yates free-kick which dropped to Semple.  Semple had a pop but the shot was blocked back to him.  He had another go and rocketed it into the back of the net.  Goal of the season?  It's a contender.  A visibly lifted Boston side were queueing up to score.  Weir-Daley couldn't test the 'keeper when he should have done better.  Dudfield did test the 'keeper but he was equal to it and gathered well.  It was Church who was to add the second, slipping the ball inside the near post.  Then Dudfield put Boston three up with another absolute belter from just inside the box.

The Pilgrims try to add to their tally.

The three goals in five minutes was enough to ensure Boston went into the break comfortably.  The comfort margin was greater than it could have been as Bastock and some poor finishing each denied Brayson.  There was a further chance a piece but neither team could bother the score sheet before half-time.  There were chances aplenty in the second period too.  Bazza had to block with his legs to deny Alexander while Jelleyman was in the right place to clear off the line as Spartans threw the kitchen sink at the Pilgrims.  The appearance of Newsham and Boyes brought fresh blood to the attacking line up, replacing Weir-Daley and Dudfield.  Newsham's build up play was superb as ever and he held the ball up well to furnish Boyes with his first chance.

It was Bastock who was the busiest of the United players as he had to make one or two stunning saves to keep the scores level, the best coming as he tipped a great 25 yard drive over.  Clarke switched to midfield as a sheepish Cullingworth came on to replace Yates.  Newsham and Church soon set Clarke up to finish any Blyth resistance.  Boyes then capitalized on a mistake to literally walk the ball into the net.  Clarke could have scored again from a similar position to his first just a minute later as Spartan heads fell.  Boyes had the last chance to score for the Pilgrims but couldn't add to the tally despite a dominant performance to reach the play-offs.  Oh yeah, Solihull lost 7-2 anyway.

Next up: Nuneaton Town away at the Liberty Way Stadium

We don't really care. No really, we don't.

Boston United vs Stamford AFC

So, the Lincolnshire Senior Shield final.  Yep exciting, eh?  Or not.  This blog was going to be a double bill of LSS and reserve team action.  Sadly though the excitement of the final proved to be too much and I was overcome with a colossal apathy about the second of the two matches.  That isn't to say the LSS final wasn't a good game but at the end of the day, who really cares?  Not the Lincolnshire FA who couldn't be bothered to print any programmes and certainly not the United managers.

View from the Fantasy Island Stand; note "STAND".

The team the Pilgrims fielded was a heady mix of the odd first teamer, bench warmer or otherwise; several reserves and James Cullingworth.  I'd love to tell you who was playing but I don't actually know half of them.  What I do know is that our esteemed manager Jason Lee picked himself in the back four, just in front of Ricky Drury and alongside wonder captain for the night, Cullingworth.  Dudfield found himself in midfield with a recovered Ryan Semple on one wing and Stef Frost on the other.  Mickey Stones and an electric-blue-booted Danny Davidson started up front.  Bizarrely Stamford seemed to have almost as many Boston players as the United did with five ex-Pilgrims on the pitch.

From the vehemently policed all-seater Fantasy Island Stand (heaven forbid anyone should actually stand in the stand) it was clear to see not only why they all seem so grumpy over there in a normal game but also that Boston were bossing the opening stages.  Ryan Semple is clearly several steps of the football pyramid better than any of Stamford's players.  This showed as he consistently destroyed their full-backs and managed to get crosses into telling positions.  One of these crosses resulted in a penalty for United 14 minutes in for handball.  Sadly the Pilgrims hadn't brought their shooting boots with them as Stones messed up the spot kick.

Captain fantastic, James Cullingworth.

Semple continued to impress, providing opportunities for Davidson and Stones.  Frost actually did something for once, just a shame it was rubbish as his shot was spanked wide.  Davidson missed another opportunity following a good cross from Cullingworth (yes, you just read that right).  It wasn't all one way though and ex-Pilgrim Dan Cotton caused a few nervous moments for Ricky Drury.  Half-time brought an opportunity for fans of all persuasions to stand up without being shouted at by a jobs-worth loser of a steward.

He never used to weight that much!

The second half saw the Pilgrims spurn more chances in a bout of profligacy scarce witnessed before.  Davidson couldn't cap his excellent build up play with a goal and Stones hardly looked likely to score.  I don't think he'll be near the first team soon on this performance.  Dudfield had a belter of a shot just wide but there didn't seem to be any chance of United bothering a now podgy, ex-United Chris Wright.  Stamford again responded through Cotton, hitting the woodwork and requiring a good save from Drury to deny him.

Boston had the best chances to win the game in the closing stages.  The ball dropped to Jason Lee well within the penalty area.  The first shot was hit tamely at Chris Wright who clumsily spilt it back to Lee.  The player-manager's second effort pinged over the open goal mouth.  Thankfully, with levels of excitement as they were, there was no extra-time and the game went to penalties.  This is the first time I've seen Boston in a penalty shoot-out in... well, in ever!  Things were going well until Cullingworth, with all the predictability of an express train crushing an egg, fired the second penalty high over the bar.  Stamford converted all of their four penalties and ultimately it was a tame effort from Stef Frost which cost United the Shield.

Never mind.

Next up: A win against Blyth Spartans at York St will confirm the Pilgrim's Conference North play-off place.

Cullingworth's had a shocker.

Boston United vs Hyde FC

First off, to be fair, this debacle wasn't entirely Cullingworth's fault.  Cullingworth was in the team, along with Newsham and débutant Stef Frost, for this clash as third top met third bottom at York St.  Pearson missed out through injury whilst Ryan Semple and Lawrie Dudfield were ill.  With recent form taken into account this game seemed to be a home banker.  A view backed up six minutes in when Canoville, wearing the seemingly magic number five shirt, powered home a header following a Yates cross.  Very Pearson-esque.

It looked like Boston would assert themselves and collect a big win but before the twenty minute mark Hyde were level.  Cullingworth, not for the first time, found himself out of position and wasn't able to stop Kevin Holsgrove making him look more than a little silly.  Holsgrove cut inside with ease and his effort deflected off Canoville and over a stranded Bastock.  Cullingworth was lacking support from the alleged right-winger, Frost, who seemed to want to play as a striker.  This left the befuddled right-back exposed time and again to the excellent Hyde wing play particularly from the superb Holsgrove.  Canoville was doing his best to cover but just didn't have the pace.  Hyde were on the front foot but nearly found themselves behind as Newsham went close to converting a top class volley as the ball dropped over his shoulder.

Callum Byrne walks.

Boston were lucky not to go down to ten men just before the half hour.  Kevin 'Keith' Austin threw in a rash challenge in the box and the Hyde striker went down.  Surely a nailed on penalty and a red card as the last man?  No.  The ref gave nothing.  Amazed that Boston had got away with that, things got even more bizarre as the play moved to the other end.  Some brilliant build-up play saw Yates through and this time it was the Boston man who went down in the box.  Red card, penalty.  Church duly did the honours to put United back in front.

Church converts the penalty.

Boston had chances to go further in front before half-time.  My man of the match, Jelleyman, was playing an absolute blinder from left-back and was unlucky that the front men couldn't capitalize on his good build-up work.  Sleath was also playing well in the build-up, showing some wonderful "forty-yard, cross-field passes" even if his effort near to half-time was tame.  The break saw the reserve team parade the Lincolnshire League trophy, won comfortably with a couple of games to spare.  Well done, lads!

Pilgrims on the attack.

The second half started fairly evenly and it was difficult to know which team was down to ten.  Both 'keepers had to be awake early in the second period to deny good dipping chances.  Bastock keeping out a header while Church was denied a great free-kick.  Frost was still lending no support to Cullingworth and so swapped wings with Yates.  This didn't alter Jamie Cullingworth's performance much.  This was evidenced by the class moment of him closing a striker down but instead of tackling, he stopped, looked across the line at the linesman and just let the striker run into space to receive the pass.  Well done Jamie, well done.  There were flashes of class from Frost but not enough to warrant a start for me.  Frost was replaced by Boyes and Newsham slipped out to the wing, let's just hope it's a lack of match fitness from Frost.

15 minutes from full-time and an Austin hospital ball dropped Bazza right in it.  The Boston 'keeper made a hash of controlling it and completely flattened the otherwise through-on-goal striker in the process.  How Bastock stayed on the pitch, I do not know.  It was at this point that Hyde striker, Matty Barlow, decided to make a tit of himself by goading the Town End.  Smart, however, managed to keep his composure and nailed home the equalizer from the spot.

The Town End sees it's second penalty of the day.

Hyde had a great chance to go in front with minutes left but the lucky Bastock saved well.  United threw everything at their lowly placed visitors but some really tame efforts never even tested the Hyde 'keeper.  The seven or so Hyde fans went home the happier out of the 1346 in attendance with the draw.  The Hyde players received a well deserved round of applause from the United fans as they left the pitch.  Fair play to them and I hope they stay up, preferably at the expense of 'Tinpot' Trinity.

Next up:  A double bill as Boston host Stamford AFC in the Lincs. Senior Shield final and the Reserves host Louth Town Reserves in the Lincs. League.

Well that was dodgy

AFC Telford United vs Boston United

OK, I'll admit it.  I got my train times a little wrong as I rolled through Telford Central station an hour early.  It was packed with police who felt the need to check the train, there must have been a big game going on or something.  The train rattled on and arrived at Wellington, the station closest to the ground, at mid-day.  There were police in abundance along with riot vans near the station and moving into the town there were more police everywhere!  Cars patrolled the streets and dog units were dotted around here and there.  It was becoming apparent this might be for the Boston after all...

Some villages were definitely sans their idiots.

Due to my early arrival I was given the opportunity to sample some of the local beverages.  The Cock Hotel was my watering hole of choice and it had some marvellous beers, if a little pricey.  The Boston boys started to roll in and there was ample time to enjoy the beautiful weather before moving on to the ground.  Coming out of the Hotel the first signs of trouble were encountered.  Some of the village people who'd been chucked out of York St were leaning over a pub fence, words were exchanged and the first glasses and bottles of the day were hurled.  Only the swift intervention of the police prevented more than one punch being thrown as the Telford lot fell out of the pub after the Boston fans.

The teams walk out.

Telford dearly, dearly want to be a professional Football League club but if they can't even print enough programmes then they have a long way to go.  Apparently Telford were expecting around 100 Pilgrims so the 240 (officially, there looked more in reality) who turned out must have come as a bit of a surprise.  The Pilgrims support was superb throughout and there was plenty of vocal backing from the outset, putting Telford's 94 from the return leg to shame.  The teams came out, the Pilgrims making one change with Lawrie Dudfield claiming his first start up front as Boyes was out following a minor (hopefully) car accident.  Get well soon, Adam!

The game started cautiously with neither team really attacking the other.  Telford had the odd chance but they were invariably off target.  Half an hour in and Boston went ahead in the most familiar of ways.  Yates swinging in a corner for Pearson to bullet home his tenth of the season from a few yards out.  The Boston faithful duly went absolutely mental.  Both Semple and Yates had been superb and each had chances before the break.  They couldn't hit the target, however, as the Pilgrims teased the Telford fans for letting their club die.

Lines-person, no Andy Grey comments from this author!

Good work by Dudfield gave Semple another opportunity just after the break but again the winger couldn't hit the target.  Telford threw on substitutes but it was Boston who were having the better of the chances.  Only some brilliant defending kept Weir-Daley out and Yates tamely hit a poor shot straight at the 'keeper from a good position.  Davidson came on for Dudfield with 20 minutes left as the Pilgrims saw out the remainder of the half to claim a fantastic three points.  Not a classic for the neutral but I doubt there were many of those amongst the 2124 at the New Bucks Head.

A mutual applause.

The trip back to the station was to prove dodgy to say the least.  Some poor stewarding allowed Telford fans right up to the exit for the away fans.  Bottles, again, were hurled and more punches thrown as the stewards struggled to control things.  Eventually the stewards managed to escort the Boston fans away from the ground.  Just far enough to see the police nicking the wrong Bucks fans...  I must have been one of the only people in the country with their coat done all the way up as I negotiated the back roads to the station, avoiding some fairly hostile Telford fans on the main routes.

The station brought fresh joys.  As usual there were police everywhere but the place they were needed.  The Boston fans on the platform ended up politely chatting to one of the bottle throwers from earlier.  Turns out he was the lad thrown out of York St for getting in the home end.  He may have been a little prone to hyperbole, telling us how he was singing Telford songs in the Boston end at our place.  He also informed us that the Telford support at Nuneaton was "like a Premier League club but with a bigger 'firm'".  Right...  Pulling out of Wellington I not only contemplated my calves burning from all the bouncing in the stands, but the prospect of a play-off tie in Telford.  I won't be wearing my shirt next time round, that's for sure!

Next up: Hyde FC at York St.

Revenge is sweet, sort of.

Boston United vs Worcester City

Welcome back, Bazza, you LEGEND!

Worcester City are something of a bogey team for the Pilgrims with United failing to record a win in the last four attempts.  In fact Boston haven't won against City for eleven years.  Worcester have knocked the Pilgrims out of the FA Cup and beaten United away in the league in this season alone.  Worcester are a big, strong team, for that you may as well read cheats.  They are one of the dirtiest teams I have ever seen in fact.  So I wasn't holding out much hope for the new management's home début.  There were a couple of changes to the Boston line-up with player manager Canoville picking himself at right back ahead of Cullingworth, Jelleyman starting at left back and club legend Paul Bastock standing in for the injured Haystead.  Another new, old player was on the bench in the form of Lawrie Dudfield, I remember him having more hair...

The Pilgrims were out of the blocks quick.  They seem to have a new found impetus with Lee and Canners as the gaffers which bodes well for the run in.  There were early chances for United to go in front as the pressure was piled on Worcester from the off.  Canoville, marauding down the right, spanked in a great cross which was planted firmly over the bar by Weir-Daley.  Weir-Daley turned provider a few minutes later as Asa Charlton nearly put the ball through his own net while clearing.

Cheerio, Chubs.

16 minutes in and the match to a turn for the decidedly odd.  During a break in play the assistant referee on the far side started flagging manically.  The ref ran over to talk to him to find out what the hell was going on as no-one seemed to know.  Pearson and City's chubby striker were having a friendly chat and seemed to be making up but no-one was appealing for anything.  The referee having conferred with his linesman ran back onto the pitch and promptly sent the aforementioned portly striker off.  Pearson seemed to indicate a head-butt after the fact but I don't think there could have been much in it if no-one appealed.

The angriest ginger in the land.

Boston went back on the attack immediately and only some good goal keeping denied Church.  Worcester did manage one shot, from distance, before the Pilgrims really cranked up the pressure.  City tried to respond but the bookings were starting to mount as they threw in some really poor challenges.  Paul Bastock must have felt lonely, as every other player spent the remainder of the first period in the Worcester half.  Boyes was denied and then Yates and Weir-Daley saw efforts fly narrowly over in quick succession.

Worcester were scrambling as the Pilgrims, with the wind at their backs, piled forward.  The next corner saw a Pearson header scraped off the line.  The excellent Canoville was really causing problems down the right and his shot was blocked by Charlton in the City defence.  It was backs to the wall stuff for Worcester as Pearson, Church and Austin all had shots blocked in a packed penalty area.  United couldn't break through but it wasn't for lack of trying!

Davidson made an appearance after the break, replacing Boyes.  The Pilgrims, like Boyes, never really came out of the dressing room at the start of the second half; United really struggled to get the ball down and play.  Worcester were unlucky not to take advantage of this when, through on goal, their striker inexplicably smashed the ball wide from a tight-ish angle.  Boston still weren't playing well but managed to take the lead in the 54th minute anyway.  A corner swung in from Yates; some good work by Davidson, blocking the defender, left Pearson free to bullet home a header.  After the first half performance it was what Boston deserved.

The Pilgrims attack the Town End

The Pilgrims nearly scored again minutes later when a brilliant overhead effort from Weir-Daley went just wide into the Town End.  Clarke, returning to the squad after his MLS trial, and Newsham were introduced in place of Sleath and Yates respectively.  There was only one more chance left in the game for Boston but the superb Weir-Daley, who had beaten several City defenders with some fancy footwork earlier in the half, could only head over the bar.  A wound up Worcester searched for an equaliser after Church foolishly gave away a free kick in a good position but the shot didn't test, a probably quite bored, Bazza at all.  Boston's composed back line saw the game out and claimed a valuable three points as the race to the play-offs tightens up.  Boston probably should've made more of their chances but a good performance, a win and a clean sheet will do at this time of year.

Next up: Boston visit Shropshire in a top of the table clash with AFC Telford United.