Magic Of The Trophy

Boston United vs Workington

Poor turnout in the Town End.

Following two exciting fixtures the magic of the FA Trophy was bound to provide another, right?  Erm... not quite.  The Trophy isn't exactly a prestige competition in this corner of south Lincs.  Until the later stages of the competition the Boston public fail to get excited about this competition, only 743 could be bothered to turn out for the final qualifying round.  Unfortunately in recent seasons Boston have failed to trouble the later stages of the competition with a worrying consistency.  Luckily for United, Workington are struggling this season.  Add that to the fact that Workington have and abysmal record against the Pilgrims - P11, W1, L10 - and United must at least stand a chance of going through to the first round proper.

Magic of the Trophy.

After all the rumours, Ian Ross joined the Pilgrims and went straight into the starting line-up alongside Tyrone Kirk; harsh on Chris Hall and Ryan Semple who were the stars of the fantastic performance at Gainsborough.  This left the Pilgrims with three in the middle of the park and only on winger.  The game itself mirrored the enthusiasm of the crowd in as much that almost nothing happened in the first period.  The only action of note was a fantastic triple save from Bazza minutes before the break to keep Workington at bay.

The second half started in much the same vein as the first had ended.  There were few chances for either side until the introduction of Semple in place of Ross on the hour mark.  Semple was duly fouled.  The resulting Milnes free-kick was headed down by Austin and converted by Newsham.  Workington were almost level when their tubby striker slid in and pinged one off the post.  Workington had a couple of chances as the game started to develop an edge.  Tackles flew in, including one horrendous challenge that could've easily broken Newsham's leg; a fight ensued as the referee lost the plot.

Milnes had a curling free-kick well saved, Semple and Sleath also had chances as the game drew to a close.  Not the most exciting of matches then but through to the First Round Proper is the important part.  The only real conclusions to be drawn were that Bazza is still pretty agile, Ian Ross still has it and the Trophy is still uninspiring in the early stages.

Next up: Stalybridge Celtic away.

This County Is Ours...

Gainsborough Trinity vs Boston United

Derby day in Lincolnshire and time for Boston United to put the noisy neighbours in their place.  Well that was the idea at least.  Tinpot as Trinity might be they do have, in the odious Peter Swann, a benefactor willing to chuck money into a bottomless pit.  The willingness to splash the cash saw Tinpot seemingly poach a couple of United players before the start of the season; reportedly offering Jamie Yates twice what the Pilgrims would pay him.  The other way to look at it was exemplified by David Newton on Radio Lincs who, to paraphrase, stated that we'd got rid of all our rubbish to Trinity at the end of last season.  Either way this money has brought some success and as such the inconsistent Pilgrims would surely be lucky to get a point?

Gainsborough Trinity: in desperate need of a new ground.
Who doesn't need 5,000 empty seats?

Trinity, buoyed by their massive money-bags, were confident of beating United at the Northolme for the first time in seven.  There was even "atmosphere" pre-game, as Swann and his cronies proudly sang about Gainsborough Trinity being the pride of Lincolnshire, only to be answered by a deafening response proclaiming that the Boston faithful had, in fact, never even heard of them.  The crowd poured in through the turnstiles, 250ish United fans pushing the attendance to exactly 800 - suggesting that one of Swann's lackies lost count when he ran out of fingers and just put a nice round number down.

The author of 
More In Hope Than Expectation 
shows off his wealth.

The teams walked out as a shower of Monopoly money fluttered onto the stand in mockery of United's rich but tinpot neighbours.  There was only one change to the United line-up following the Hyde game, Fairclough coming in for Canoville.  The mentality was the same, United flew out of the blocks and pressed their opponents into mistakes all over the park.  Despite the early pressure it was the home team that had the better of the chances, a free-kick flying wide before Mettam forced Bastock into one of the saves of the season on 15 minutes.  The save was crucial as within a minute the ball dropped to Jason Lee who slammed it home under the body of the diving Evtimov (at least that's how I think it's spelt, the Tinpot website and programme have several spellings - he must feel really loved).

The travelling support couldn't believe their luck!  It wasn't to last long though as within five minutes ex-Pilgrim Clarke capitalised on an ill-timed slip from Fairclough, to run into the box unchallenged and beat Bastock.  This gave the locals a bit of confidence back but their gloating was short lived.  On 25 minutes Evtimov was beaten from distance for the second time.  Sleath providing a sublime set-up for Milnes to finish.  This knocked the stuffing out of the home side who could only break United down once in the remainder of the first period; Bastock saving well on that occasion.

More of the same was required from the second half and the Pilgrims were excellent on and off the pitch.  Trinity were trying desperately to get back into the game through ex-Pilgrims, Yates and Clarke.  The United defence were on top form and ensured the money-grabbing wingers didn't even get a sniff of a chance.  The Boston front men, on the other hand, were causing trouble; Semple and Newsham both wasting good chances.  Tinpot manager, Housham, struck fear into the visiting fans by bringing on ex-Boston loanee Mulready along with his final sub of the game in a bid to change things around.  Mulready was as ineffective for the home team as he had been for Boston a few weeks earlier and the Pilgrims defence stood firm.

United fans sing their hearts out for the lads.

The use of all his subs was to comeback to haunt Housham.  Evtimov really proved value for money by bringing down Lee when the gaffer was through on goal for a tap-in; red card, penalty and an out-field player in the net.  Newsham made no mistake and United put the game out of Trinity's reach.  Some of the tinpot support didn't much like losing (obviously they haven't been following Gainsborough that long) and felt the need to start a fight.  A few punches later and the stewards finally got round to actually doing something.  Meanwhile on the pitch the Boston boys went close as sub Burrow was denied by an excellent block before Sleath hit the base of the post, the deflection luckily bouncing into the arms of the makeshift 'keeper.  There was just time for a bit more amusement as the ineffectual Yates was named man of the match, much to the delight of the travelling fans.

The performance from United was fantastic and extends the run to eight games unbeaten at Trinity.  The happy Pilgrims made their way back across Lincolnshire with police escorts and trouble kicking off around Gainsborough as the upset locals tried to find some way of managing their embarrassment.  Never mind, eh?  The night was not complete without Duncan Browne's report of Peter Swann walking into the Trinity clubhouse to applause - not sure what for - before fulfilling his true calling and falling over... What a clown!

Next up: United host Workington in the FA Trophy.

Centurion.

Boston United vs Hyde

My 100th post on this blog is celebrated by a gala event, the league leaders at York St.  Sadly it is not the home team which brings this honour but the team from the outskirts of Manchester.  Having really struggled to stay-up last year, Hyde have undergone quite a transformation.  Training equipment from Man. City and a few players from Hoddle's Spanish academy have revolutionised the club who are now flying and are surely title contenders.

An unseasonably sunny and warm York St.

Boston, on the other hand, aren't struggling but aren't flying either; the Pilgrims seem to be hit and miss at the best of times.  The rearranged Hyde game kicks off a difficult run of league games that sees the Pilgrims face Hyde, Gainsborough and Stalybridge; a good start to the run was a must.  Newsham was the only change, starting up front in place of Burrow.  United started brilliantly, pressing Hyde every time the team in blue had the ball.  The first ten minutes saw United have the best of the play but Hyde defended well, limiting Boston to shooting from distance; Newsham and Hall's efforts dealt with easily by the 'keeper.

Hyde were being pressed back but did have a penalty shout turned down by the referee.  Bastock claimed the ball before taking the man, thankfully the ref was pretty decent (two in two weeks?!) and competent enough to see the touch.  So the pen was turned down despite the appeals of the Hyde support.  Next it was the Hyde 'keepers turn to cut it a bit fine, sidestepping Newsham with the ball at his feet.  United were ending the half the better, the 'keeper denying Newsham a couple more times before the break.  Hall also had a flying finish to the first period, booked for a nothing foul on Payne who made the most he could of it.  He then went on a stunning run from deep inside the United half but couldn't pick out anyone in support.

Payne showing what he can do when he isn't falling over!

United's failure to take advantage was to cost them as the Payne showed he was capable of more than just falling over by out-foxing White superbly to gain space from which he placed the ball past Bastock.  United came back brilliantly and thought they were level when Newsham placed a sublime finish into the back of a net, however, he was adjudged to be offside when Lee's flick on came in.  Payne was in the thick of it again as Bastock committed himself.  Payne, seemingly through on goal, saw his shot kept out by Canoville, the gaffer back covering for his over-committed 'keeper.

It wasn't long before Hyde were two up.  A cross was thrown in to the United area and Hyde's Hall was able to knock down to Broadbent - both completely unmarked - who smashed the second home.  Boston heads dropped and the pressing had taken it's toll on the Pilgrims' stamina.  Hyde hit the woodwork twice in stoppage time but if losing by two was a little unfair on the Pilgrims, any more would have been a travesty!  So, not quite the flying start needed for the tough games ahead but a performance like that at Gainsborough away will surely bring a win.

Next up: Gainsborough Trinity away.

Contrasts

Solihull Moors vs Boston United

Welcome to
Solihull Moors ski-lodge.

What a contrast this game provided to the one last week, mainly in that the game was just plain dull.  Solihull's ski-lodge-esque bar provided a pleasant location for a pre-match beer for the Pilgrims' support who seemed to outnumber the locals.  There were quite a few travelling fans, including one couple who had paid £144 for  trains and taxis from south Lincolnshire and gate money; madness!  The older Pilgrims were incensed over a lack of concession rates on the gate but sadly this was as contentious as the game got.

The only change saw Alan White find his way into the starting 11 against United's bogey team following his suspension.  One other change of note was the man in the middle.  Instead of the tinpot rubbish this league is usually exposed to, the referee for this game was Mr Toma Masaaki of the Japanese J-League and a FIFA official.  So for once a Conf. North game was officiated by someone who knows what they're doing!  Mr Masaaki needed to know what he was doing too when Austin seemed to take out a Solihull player in the box early on - corner given.  Bastock was on his toes to tip a fine shot out as Moors looked to take the advantage.  Solihull were being marginally outplayed in midfield but both sides were struggling to carve out decent chances.

United finally started to make progress through Semple but the options in the middle weren't working so Semps was forced to cut in from the left and let fly.  As the first half progressed Semple's efforts ranged from narrowly wide to worrying Birmingham International's flight path.  Burrow failed to make the most of a poor back pass as he let the ball go out of play while Milnes barely tested the superb Jasbir Singh.  One of Semple's best efforts, United's second and as far as I can remember last shot on target, was tipped magnificently onto the post and out for a corner.

No running, bombing or heavy petting.

Nothing happened in a drab second-half until just past the hour mark when an increasingly bold Solihull took the lead.  A ball into the box was allowed to bounce - no, we still haven't sorted that out - and Morris took full advantage to punish the Pilgrims.  United were toothless going forward and failed to put Moors under any real pressure, the home team's defence blocking and tackling well.  Solihull could've increased their lead while Boston were down to 10; Jelleyman receiving several minutes of treatment for a head wound.  That's several minutes of treatment for a head wound off the pitch while the game was continuing.  Jelleyman wasn't even allowed to have his clean new shirt brought to him on the pitch.  Those sort of luxuries are reserved only for a certain bunch of cheats from north Wales.  The game was swiftly brought to a close and the disappointed Pilgrims began the journey home having failed to beat Solihull yet again.

Next up: Hyde at York St.