OK, OK... I know I should be used to it by now, I mean there is a contentious issue every week, but this guy was something else. One of the worst referees I have ever seen, and that is saying something! Workington were the second team to meet United twice in the league this season and they brought a surprisingly large following, well into double figures, especially considering the distance and the fact that their team are rubbish at best. Since losing to Boston in the last minute in the first fixture of the season Workington have only notched up two wins and two draws; finding themselves sitting firmly in the relegation spots. United surely couldn't fail to lose, especially after losing at home to lowly Solihull Moors. Lightning surely can't strike twice.
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| A disappointed Boston kick-off after conceding first. |
Only one change was forced on the United team following the neat performance at Histon; Alan White dropping out for personal reasons to be replaced by Ben Wilkinson as Canoville shifted inside. Workington didn't look like one of the worst teams in the league but then United do have a tendency to make their opposition look good. Add to that the referee giving some horrendously inexplicable free-kicks and it all amounted to Workington being on top of things as United struggled to find any rhythm. Workington were doing all the pressing and were soon in front. Arnison was allowed to run the length of the pitch, brushing aside weak challenges from Lee, Wilkinson and Canoville before slotting past Bastock.
Confusion between Bastock and the excellent Stainfield nearly saw United trail by a greater margin. Bazza threw all his experience from 651 starts in a Pilgrims shirt out of the window in one fell rush of blood, came flying out of goal and left Arnison clean through to put away his second. Except, he didn't. Don't ask me how he contrived to hit the post but the collective sigh of relief around York St was tangible. Had he put the chance away the ref may have failed to make it off the pitch alive at half time, having got yet another decision badly wrong in the build up. The linesman decided he wanted a part of the fun and got involved by giving a free-kick for a dive Luis Suarez would be proud of!
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| Workington giving it a good go. |
Boston started to play in spite of the ref and Mulready had the Pilgrims first real chance of the half. Jason Lee, having contrived to get himself booked for nothing, got his revenge by smashing home a delightful Semple cross with his head. Workington heads dropped and United could've been in front; Jelleyman, Lee and Newsham combining well to put Mulready through.
Once again, Boston were brighter in the second half. Sleath had an early effort but United huffed and puffed at Workington without much success. It was Workington who had the chances, Bastock getting himself into trouble with Austin bailing him out with a goal line clearance. United were playing the better football and passing it around neatly against the 14 men. It seemed to be just a matter of time until United were in front, five minutes before the whistle in fact. Wilkinson and Semple getting together to arrow the ball back across the goal for the winner via Burrow's head .
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| Jason Whitely, Phil Booker and Tom Bramall: Take a bow. The worst refereeing team I've ever seen! |
There was a fantastic chance for Boston to put the game well and truly out of reach, a break leaving them through 3 on 2 against the Workington defence. Semple shot against the outstretched arms of the 'keeper when squaring might have been the better option. United proceeded to shamefully waste the last few minutes of the game and would have been punished if Anison could've hit the proverbial barn door.
The solid United performance, amazingly, put Boston just outside the play-offs on goal difference. If the team really hit their stride a promotion challenge could still be on because as bad as Boston are it seems a lot of other teams in the league are worse!
Next up: Colwyn Bay visit York St.
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