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Boston United vs Eastwood Town

Things didn't exactly start well in United's final encounter of the calender year.  Troubled Eastwood were ahead within two minutes, ex-Pilgrim and Boston hero, Franny Green converting from a whipped cross.  Despite the poor start, United were flying!  Milnes and Kirk were denied by the excellent Severn in the Eastwood net.  A headed effort by Ward was kept out on the line.  Newsham had two chances to restore parity, putting one over the top off his head before slotting home his second chance superbly, only to be ruled offside.  With the pressure building on Eastwood, they extended their lead.  A fantastic curling effort from Franny Green, who is surely too good for this level, curling out of the reach of Bazza.

Boxing Day football at York St.

This seemed to be the story of the season in one 12 minute period, playing well but getting nowhere.  It was looking like one of those days as Severn denied Jason Lee from close range.  Sleath broke that spell with a long range drive into the bottom corner and Boston were up and running.  Franny Green was still causing the back line plenty of trouble forcing Bazza to tip an effort over the bar but it was Boston in the ascendency.  The home team were soon level, Ward powering home a Milnes corner with his head minutes before the break.

After half-time United piled yet more pressure onto the beleaguered Eastwood back-line.  Gaffer Lee was in the thick of the action knocking one onto the post before flicking on to Newsham who's neat finish put Boston into the lead.  The Eastwood heads dropped and United piled forward.  An hour in and United put another away.  Lee, again in the thick of things, smashing home forcefully after a blocked Milnes effort fell kindly.  Constantine was thrown into the action for the first time as the pace of the game slowed.  United, having tied things up with the fourth goal, took their foot off the gas.  Eastwood nearly reduced the deficit, rattling the woodwork before Green was denied excellently by Bazza, but it was to be United's day.

Eastwood Town vs Boston United

Following the entertaining Boxing Day clash, United made the return leg on an extremely wet New Years Day.  The rain had made the pitch slick and with Eastwood having played well just days earlier this wasn't going to be an easy encounter by any stretch.  United walked out into the rain unchanged in-front of a predominantly Bostonian crowd; well, unchanged except that we had two number fives on the pitch, a fact not noticed by the officials for several minutes.  Clubs never seem to expect Boston to bring fans and Eastwood were no different, selling out of programmes in the club shop an hour before kick off.  There were a few parallels to be drawn between the Boxing day game and this encounter.  Mainly that Boston started well, Ross chipping just over; before Eastwood took the lead.  A cross, resulting from Fairclough being brushed aside with worrying ease, let in Green who punished United yet again with a massive deflection off Ward foxing Bazza.

A very soggy Eastwood.

Eastwood players were starting to dive in a bit and a horrendous challenge was inevitable.  Milnes was the victim, hobbling off injured.  The ref then went from hindrance to help a minute or so later.  A fifty-fifty challenge between Austin and an Eastwood player on the edge of the home team's box saw the Eastwood player come off worse and give away a free-kick too.  The salt was really rubbed into the wound as a masterful Ross free-kick curled beautifully into the top-corner, the 'keeper having no-chance.

Boston weren't level for long.  A complete lack of communication between Bazza rushing out of his net and Fairclough rushing the other way saw Fairclough head neatly over the 'keeper for Christie to tap home.  Fairclough shouldn't head towards his own net but then Bazza should've given a shout.  Either way, United were behind again.  Fairclough was also making inroads at the other end, planting a shot firmly into the side netting.  Bastock was needed to tip the ball just over the bar, preventing United conceding a third from a free-kick.

United search for the winner.

Half-time saw the introduction of Ryan Semple.  Semple absolutely destroyed Eastwood time after time when he had the ball.  Boston nearly scored from a corner early on in the half but the ball was blocked by Burge and was neither a handball or over the line from my perspective.  Boston were barrelling forward and leaving bigger gaps at the back than usual.  Bastock made a good double save to deny Eastwood.  The save proved to be vital as minutes later United scored from their second corner in quick succession.  Ross cut the ball back to Semple who delivered a telling cross into the box.  Newsham was on hand to convert.

The Eastwood number seven spent much of the game making a tit of himself and seemed more interested in trying to get one over on the Boston fans than actually playing.  Sadly for him he failed miserably and was subbed off before he was sent off, what an idiot.  Boston sensed a win with 20 minutes left.  Newsham hit a fantastic effort on the turn but it was well blocked.  United were pressing hard, Jason Lee putting an effort wide with minutes to go.  This time round Eastwood did hang on and claimed a point as United went home ruing mistakes in the back-line and an inability to convert chances.

Next up for me: Dartford FC away in the FA Trophy second round proper.

Well We Were Never Going To Win That!

Stalybridge Celtic vs Boston United

A miserable day in Cheshire.

Historically the Pilgrims do not travel well to Bower Fold with four losses out of four trips and, with Stalybridge on good form, this trip didn't promise to be any better; on the up side, the Buffet Bar on Stalybridge station is a superb pub and makes the trip worth it, even if the football is rubbish!

As it turned out the football wasn't rubbish at all.  United nearly went ahead early on, Sleath setting Newsham up to draw a fantastic save from the Stalybridge 'keeper.  Boston were playing well, seemingly having regained some of the purpose from the Hyde and Gainsborough matches, and it was Jason Lee who put the next effort well over the crossbar.  Boston were defending well too; Fairclough, White, Austin and Jelleyman performing well as a unit.  Stalybridge were limited to the odd chance from set pieces but had the ball in the back of the net anyway, the goal ruled out for a push in the build up.  Any opportunities the home strikers did get were well mopped up by Bazza.

Stalybridge: the best team United have faced this season.

Boston were still creating and Jason Lee was in the thick of it.  Inadvertently blocking a shot on goal before heading on target from a Semple cross.  Stalybridge then exploited the only weakness in the otherwise strong United back-line; pace.  One quick break, one pull back and one neat finish saw Bazza picking the ball out of his net.  Gnahoua with the finish to make it 1-0 at half-time.

United continued to put in a good performance after the break.  The Pilgrims were searching for the equaliser and as the half wore on the formation became more and more attacking.  Hall, the other Fairclough and the reserves top scorer, Tony Edwards, were all introduced.  Stalybridge were looking to exploit the gaps left by the Pilgrims and the introduction of Craig Hobson was causing the pace-less centre-backs trouble.  Hobson having put one into the side-netting already, was taken clean out by White.  The resulting free-kick was put well over.

The Pilgrims fail to hit the target, repeatedly.

With ten minutes left, Boston failed to clear their lines following a corner.  The ball was arrowed in at pace and bounced off the leg of Hobson into the net.  Boston were soon back on the attack, a gorgeous ball into the box from Tony Edwards flew across the face of the net.  A touch, anything, on it and Boston would've been back in the game.  Unfortunately for United neither Hall or Newsham could get there in time.  Austin was denied by the 'keeper following a Milnes free-kick as the Boston chances racked up.

Semple, following Edwards lead, swang a great ball in for Newsham but the 'keeper was on hand to tip the ball out.  Stalybridge broke from the resulting corner.  Marsh outpaced the defenders and crossed to Hobson who finished the Pilgrims off in injury time.  So another good performance from United went unrewarded.  The defence is looking much stronger but the Pilgrims still don't seem to be able to put the ball away with any regularity.

Next up: Boston United Youth host Burnley in the third round proper of the FA Youth Cup.

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.

Colwyn cheats, a rubbish referee and a deserved comeback

Boston United vs Colwyn Bay

Colwyn Bay are the first welsh team to face United since the last day of the Fat Cheat's Boston career, away at Wrexham, which in hindsight is appropriate.  Boston were coming off the back of a good two game response following some poor form.  Utility man, Armstrong, had left the club for pastures new and was therefore amongst the four changes; Hall, Milnes, Austin and Burrow coming in to replace Newsham, the departed Armstrong, Wilkinson and Mulready.

The teams shake hands in front of the 16 Colwyn fans.

Boston got off to a flier and took the first real chance.  Semple, who'd already caused the Bay back-line problems, arrowed in a superb cross for Lee to power home a header with ten minutes on the clock.  Bay tried to get back into the game but Lloyd-McGoldrick was off target before being denied by Bastock minutes later.  Bay had further chances but couldn't convert before Boston were denied a stone-wall penalty by a seemingly blind ref who's performance was, astoundingly, shaping up to be nearly as bad as the joker from last week!  Semple was turning on the skill and made the full-back look even sillier than a snapshot of their ill-advised, unprofessional and what may be considered borderline racist tweets could do!  The combination of Semple, Hall and Burrow set-up Sleath for a sighter before Semple set himself up for a well-struck 20 yard drive which the Bay 'keeper dealt with neatly.

It was looking like United were going to go in 1-0 up as the clock ticked over 45 minutes but there was late drama in first half stoppage time.  United gifted McEvilly too much space on the edge of the box, which is a miracle in its own right, allowing him to scuff a shot home for the equaliser.  A minute later and Stainfield completed the Pilgrims' implosion, taking out Noon and giving McEvilly the chance to put home his second from the spot.

The second half should have seen Boston's second penalty of the game but this time not only did the ref not see it but he contrived to book Milnes for "simulation" when the midfielder was through on goal.  Bay tried to extend their lead but could only manage to belt the ball across an empty box.  The already tense atmosphere soured further when a Bay centre-back cut his head and required treatment, 5 minutes of treatment in-fact.  What's wrong with that, you may ask?  It was the fact that they carried out the treatment entirely on the pitch, wasting time and slowing the pace of the game.  The game was then restarted with a drop ball despite the stoppage being instigated due to a foul on a Boston player.  How cynical can you get?

Hall attacks down the left.

Newsham and Ben Fairclough were brought on to replace Hall and Lee as Boston went on the offensive.  Newsham was soon involved when he broke through and unselfishly set-up Sleath; for once the midfielder somehow managed to bang over when it was easier to score.  The second half also saw the poor-penalty-decisions tally increase, Boston saw yet another appeal for handball turned down while a Bay striker fell over theatrically seeing nothing given.  Surely there should be some consistency, either it was a pen. or another booking for simulation?

The Bay 'keeper kept them in the game, making a fantastic save as United searched for an equaliser.  The search was made significantly easier when, in what can only be described as a disgraceful bout of petulance, the Bay captain was sent off for swearing and hurling abuse at children sat in the main stand.  The horrendous excuse for a person then took as much time as possible walking slowly across the pitch.  It was this, along with the rest of Colwyn's time wasting which was to cost them.  Boston were knocking at the door and, with Bay down to nine as the still bleeding centre-back was forced off yet again, Milnes struck a beauty into the top corner.  The thousand plus Boston supporters were universally delighted with a point even though the Pilgrims clearly deserved all three.

The drama for the day didn't end there though.  The disgraced Bay captain thought it would be a wonderful idea to improve his reputation further by camping out in the referee's room to remonstrate with the, admittedly poor, official.  There were also reliable reports of the Bay party being quickly ushered out of the Pilgrim Lounge after the game by stewards and police.  The colossally unprofessional comments from both the official Colwyn Bay twitter account, who wasn't even there, and the comments of their players previously noted all go some way to making this astonishing story believable.  With all these things considered Colwyn Bay must go down as one of the least professional clubs I have ever seen, especially at this level.

Next up: Solihull Moors away.

Wef-a-wee!

Boston United vs Workington

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.

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!

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 .

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.

Six. Five. Oh.

Histon vs Boston United

This weekend saw a rare trip south for the Pilgrims.  These trips are usually characterised by expensive beer and irritating saven accents commenting about "weird people asking for gravy on their chips", anyone would think that people from the little village of Histon had never been north of Watford Gap.  I've never really liked trips south, which considering I've lived there for several years is a bit odd, but this one had something a little bit special to make up for the £3.50 beers.  This match saw the cementing of a legend in the history books as Paul Bastock made his 650th appearance for Boston United in his two spells since originally signing in 1992.  The man surely qualifies for the accolade of Pilgrims' cult hero.  Hopefully he'd have a better chance to celebrate than he did last week when his heroics limited Altrincham to only six goals!

The travelling fans make some noise.

Boston bolstered the shaky defence of the last match by the addition of Canoville and White in place of Fairclough and Austin.  The lacklustre attack was also spruced up by the addition of Lee for Burrow up front and Newsham, Sleath and Semple were started in the middle of the park in place of the other Fairclough, Hall and Wilkinson.  The team looked to have a much better balance than the previous week but this didn't stop normal service being resumed as United conceded on eight minutes.  Sparkes running clean past White and putting the ball past United's legendary 'keeper.  Here we go again...

There's a steward in the sticks...

... Or not.  The Pilgrims looked much better than last week and were level a further eight minutes later when 'tap-in' Newsham converted a harshly given penalty for handball in the box.  The game struggled to get going with both sides having the odd chance.  Newsham, unlucky not to score a second as the ball bounced off him and flew narrowly wide leaving the teams going into the break level-pegging.

The second-half saw a much more dominant performance from the Pilgrims.  Mulready smashed one over and Newsham failed to convert another quality cross from a much improved Semple.  Semple was a huge threat from the Boston wing, his crosses and free-kicks supplying the ammunition to Armstrong and Newsham but it was Jelleyman supplying Sleath which put Boston ahead.  The warning signs were there for Histon as Jelleyman put the ball onto Gaffer Lee's head, who nodded down for Sleath hammer wide; minutes later Jelleyman put Sleath through directly and he finished neatly.

The game was out of Histon's reach five minutes later.  Lee headed the first cross from Semple wide but made no mistake with the second moments later as he knocked the ball home, just, to put the game out of reach.  Lee had two more chances to convert with his head before subbing himself off and Semple missed the chance to top off a superb attacking performance with a 25 yarder just over.

The new kit get's its first outing.

As Boston made changes, Histon managed their only chance of the half but couldn't test Bazza on what was a quiet 650th appearance; Holman making a right hash of his shot.  I thought Stainfield had put away Boston's fourth, the official site says it was Burrow but in the end it was neither as the referee ruled it out for some imaginary foul as far as I can tell.  White took the final chance of a dominant Pilgrims outing, heading wide.

Much better from United, not that it was possible to be much worse!  Hopefully the better balance can be maintained and built on throughout the remainder of the season.

Next-up: Hopefully a struggling Workington side at York St.

No football today...

Altrincham vs Boston United 

... Not from Boston United at least!  Worst United performance since the mighty Captain Clean was at the club.  Worst defeat I can remember since Grimsby won 6-0 at York St and everyone and their mum walked out before the end.  To coin a phrase: What a load of rubbish!  Boston's week got off to a flyer by losing at Kidsgrove and going out of the FA Cup at the first available opportunity, AGAIN!  That has happened far, far too many times in the last few years and is costing the club money and supporters.

TWO teams come out at Moss Lane, although you'd never have known it!

To recover from this shocking defeat and, from what I heard, equally shocking performance; United did the obvious thing and made several changes including dumping our best midfielder out of the squad at a cold and rainy Moss Lane.  Perfect.  Both Faircloughs played on the same side, either that or I'd had one too many beers and was seeing double.  They are, after all, exactly the same player.  "Utility" player ("utility", I have learned, is code for s***), Armstrong, played alongside Wilkinson in the midfield.  I say midfield but they very, very rarely spent any time in the middle of the park, in fact the only players that made it into the centre circle were the Altrincham midfield passing it about with impunity and the Boston strikers kicking-off after conceding yet another goal.

Some rare quality possession for United.

The defence was, erm, not very good.  That's pretty diplomatic actually, there are a lot worse things that could be said of them.  I learned at primary school that the ball should never be allowed to bounce by a defender; seemingly that isn't something that the United defenders are aware of.  The defence hadn't exactly covered itself in glory by the time the first Alty goal arrived on 15 mins; it was entirely Austin's fault as the ball arrowed in across the front of him and he just stood there and watched it go past, followed by Reeves going past him, followed by the ball in the net.  15 mins later and Alty were two up as Lawrie, made best use of the several acres of space gifted to him, to put the ball past Bazza.

The goals were arriving at regular intervals, the next one coming just after half-time.  Lawrie, searching for his second, saw his shot rebound off Bastock only to be headed in by Reeves.  That might sound like Bazza's fault but when Alty can have strikers lining up to put chances away with no one marking them it's not surprising he struggled.  You know it's bad when there are opposition players stood on the corner of the penalty area following a set piece and the goalkeeper is the closest defender...

Alty waste yet another free header in the United box.

The goals maintained the regular flow of one every 15-20 minutes except this time it was Boston who put one away.  One sub set up another with Semple putting in an excellent cross for gaffer Lee to head home at the back stick.  The reason this was the only United chance I have mentioned is that, as far as I remember, it's the only one that we had.  Mulready, the new lad from Grimsby, didn't play badly but it's difficult to create chances when you never get the ball.

Alty stepped up the pace following this "set-back" and put 3 more past a woeful United team in the last 15 minutes.  Reeves practically walked through Jelleyman to complete his hat-trick.  Then five minutes before full-time Mulholland set up Twiss before scoring his own goal to make it 6-1 and complete United's humiliation.  I've only written about the Altrincham goals because if I were to write about all the chances that they didn't convert I'd be here all week!  Suffice to say that Bastock was United's best player and Alty could have had double figures were it not for him.

Next weeks thrashing will be away at Histon.

Plan B

Boston United vs Droylsden

United were swiftly back in action at York St following the mid-week encounter with Hinckley.  Droylsden were the team who brought a close United's ten game unbeaten run last season.  The Bloods start to the season had been remarkably similar to the Pilgrims' with both teams having won four, drawn two and lost four; even the goal difference was identical.  The Pilgrims were looking to continue the good-ish form of mid-week and get a second win on the board.  The weekend and the much improved weather brought out a few more fans for this fixture, the attendance was still a worryingly low 1127.

A much sunnier York St.

The only change from Tuesday's encounter was the re-introduction of Jelleyman at left-back.  Both sides showed attacking intentions from the off, Sleath hitting the woodwork from an off-side position following a saved Milnes shot.  Droylsden had their own opening shot with a header flying narrowly wide of Bazza's post.  Hall was looking dangerous and playing some superb stuff on the wing alongside the always sublime Sleath.  Sleath it was who fashioned a difficult opportunity, firing a looping shot just over from the edge of the box whilst falling over.  Boston's next chance came in an odd manner to say the least, one of the Bloods defenders placing a belting volley just over after Semple's first real run of the game.  Despite the good play from Boston it was Droylsden finishing the half just on top with Bazza doing well to hold a sharp effort.

Boston were in front following the half-time break once again with Ward on the end of the Milnes corner this time round.  United were strong as Lee was denied by a good piece of goal-keeping.  Lee subsequently subbed himself off and Burrow came on to replace him.  This substitution signalled a change in the flow of the game as Drolysden asserted themselves.  Like the Hinckley game in mid-week there was a second goal in short order.  This time though it was Boston on the receiving end.  Kilheeney taking advantage of a rare Ward/Bazza mix up to slot home an equalizer.  Boston were under pressure and Droylsden should have been in front following a Jelleyman mistake.

The team celebrate Tom Ward's goal.

Ben Fairclough was brought on in place of Newsham as Boston, for the first real time this season, switched to "Plan B"!  The pace of Fairclough, and to a lesser extent, Burrow was telling and the Pilgrims went back on the offensive.  Fairclough nailed one wide before Burrow got up well and headed down, doing everything right, but seeing the ball fly just over the bar.  The Bloods had the odd chance but it was United who took the lead minutes later.  The ball wasn't cleared properly and Burrow got up well again, this time his header found the back of the net to put the Pilgrims into a deserved lead.

United should have put the game to bed as some excellent work from Semple saw him clean through on goal but his decision making was poor and he ultimately chipped it tamely into the 'keepers arms.  This nearly cost United as Bastock had to pull out two superb saves to keep the Bloods at bay in the closing stages of the match.  Despite these scares the Pilgrims held on to claim six points out of six.

Next-up: Kidsgrove Athletic at York St in the 2nd qualifying round of the F.A. Cup.

HINCKLEY!!!

Boston United vs Hinckley United

The teams shake hands under the floodlights.

Boston United came into this fixture searching for their opening home win of a listless season so far.  The Leicestershire club provided the opposition for the night and deranged cries of "Hinckley" coming from the home fans may, to the uninitiated, have suggested that York St was full of mentally unstable people; it probably is to be fair.  Not as many mentally unstable people as usual turned up on the turgid Tuesday night, a disappointing 813 in attendance for the competition between one of the weakest strike-forces and one of the most profligate defences in the league.

Jason Lee picks himself on a
miserable night at York St.

United were trying to shore up their flagging front-line by introducing player/manager, Jason Lee, in place of Mikel Suarez.  Hinckley, seemingly much improved from last season, looked the most dangerous in the early stages.  Clarke and Kerry both narrowly off target while a deflected Reynolds shot pinged off the Pilgrims' crossbar.  The despite playing some improved football the Pilgrims could only muster a Ryan Semple effort which flew past the far post.  Semple was having the best of Boston's efforts and was handed another opportunity to score, unfortunately this effort was dragged past the near post this time round.  Hinckley should have been one up at the break but Clarke couldn't convert a golden opportunity from a few yards out.

New boy Stainfield, fresh from a trip out to the States, came into the line-up to replace Kevin "Keith" Austin at left-back.  I'd been reliably informed by my Boston Town contact that Stainfield should be about the right level for our reserves.  This was thrown into doubt six minutes into the second period when a towering Stainfield header planted the ball firmly past ex-Pilgrim Dan Haystead in the Hinckley goal.  This triggered a frenetic period of end to end football in which Milnes hit the crossbar before Jason Lee expertly chested the ball back to Sleath who finished with a 25 yard half-volley to put the Pilgrims two in front.

United attack a sparsely populated Town End.

Boston seemed to switch off and Hinckley tried hard to force a way back into the match in the closing 30 minutes; Newton saw a couple of good chances go away from him.  Suarez and new boy Ben Fairclough replaced Lee and Semple respectively as the Pilgrims went for pace up front.  Yes, pace!  Boston had to clear one off the line and be saved by the off-side flag before finishing the game the stronger side with Suarez and Fairclough both being denied before the final whistle.

Next-up: Boston United vs Droylsden at York St.

It's All A Bit Mickey Mouse

England vs Wales and Boston United vs Solihull Moors

Wembley: Theatre of boredom.

I was going to write a blog post about the England - Wales game but it was uninspiring and frankly pretty rubbish so I didn't have the will to do it before the Solihull game rolled around.  This game was also an appalling display of "football" and so I thought "why not dump these two together into one really depressing blog post?"  So now the scene is set here is what happened...

1,700 odd Welsh fans.

England took on Wales at Wembley in the hopes of securing a win and a foot in the door of Euro qualification. Anyone who watched the game will have seen what can only be described as a "professional" showing from an England team who so often lack the creativity needed to excite.  England went 1-0 up through a neat Ashley Young goal but had a lucky escape when Earnshaw missed an open goal from a couple of yards out deep into the second half.  It would be fair to say that the only ones drawing any inspiration from the drab and boring Wembley surroundings were the Welsh players and their meagre 1,700 or so fans.  With the turnout at 77,000 the question surrounding the return of home internationals seems academic, there just isn't the interest from the public.  The evening was marred by the sad death of a Wales fan before the game.

Coincidentally the first leg of England - Wales fell on the same day as Solihull's last league win, against Boston on the 27th of March.  Since then Solihull had gone 17 games without a win, only managing two draws in the process.  Boston have been playing some rubbish football, if you can call it that, recently and also have some sort of psychological issue with playing against teams who wear pink as matches against Nuneaton and Harrogate have shown.  With Solihull's poor run of form it was inevitable that United would mess up the chance to claim three points and that was exactly what happened.

Pink: United's bogey colour.

The York St Mickey Mouse
Show.

The home team started with Stones and Suarez up front while Newsham was pushed onto the wing in place of Holsgrove, so we're going for pace then.  Despite the ponderous front line the Pilgrims started the stronger and with only a few minutes gone it looked like Moors might be on the end of a right drubbing.  There were a couple of chances for Stones but when he did get to the ball his headers were either weak, off-target or saved by the impressive Singh in the Solihull goal.  Suarez was also unable to hit the target and put a difficult chance wide.  That was about it for United.

Solihull came into the game and made the Pilgrims look lacklustre and mediocre at best.  Much like England, Boston suffered from a chronic lack of creativity and there was seemingly no plan B.  As soon as the high ball into the box option had been sussed by the Solihull back-line, United were out of ideas.  Only Moors' profligacy saved Boston's blushes before the break and the home team walked off with boos ringing in their ears.

The second half saw more of the same dull rubbish from United.  This time Solihull were more accurate, Bastock flapped at a cross, the defence failed completely in their attempted clearances and Thompson-Brown slotted home his second chance of the half.  Holsgrove and Milnes were thrown on for Stones and Hall to chase the game but the reaction was toothless.  United had the odd chance, Semple heading on target from a difficult position while Milnes and Holsgrove shot wide, but the Pilgrims scarcely looked like troubling the Solihull defence who deservedly claimed their first points of the season.

Head in hands time for United.

As for United, something needs to change and fast; this game saw the first instance I've seen of fans calling for the managers to resign.  The attendance was 1,117 and with performances and results like that it won't stay above 1,000 for long so things really need to pick-up and quick.  Any pace up front, even if it came from the right back Jordan Fairclough, would be appreciated as a back-up plan at the very least.  At the moment the United game-plan is very, very predictable.

Next up: Boston United vs Hinckley at York St.

That's What You Get!

Bishop's Stortford vs Boston United

There were so many things wrong with United's trip to Bishop's Stortford.  To start with Bishop's Stortford isn't exactly in the north but that's old news now.  Secondly, Stortford is pretty much the only club in the world who can't spell their own name correctly, or at least I hope they are!  Thirdly, it was non-league day, a time to celebrate the best of non-league by dicking around with kick-off times and giving free-entry to those who don't give a toss while charging those who turn up every week £12 to get in.  Add that to the £3.20 for a beer and I can honestly say I don't really like this down-sarf lark, the fact you can take beer onto the terrace was a minor consolation to all this.

Welcome to Bishop's Stortfort F.C.
(credit to @craigsingleton for the picture)

Getting a lift to the ground was an adventure in itself, arriving outside the ground there was a sizeable queue of traffic.  This seemed a little odd as kick-off was still almost an hour away.  I know non-league day brings in extra ground hoppers who, in combination with the away support, would almost double Stortford's average attendance but this seemed excessive.  We were puzzling over this when a friendly fan popped over and informed us that we were actually sat in the queue for the local tip...  The bloke on the gate to the actual carpark let us know that the club are prohibited from signposting the ground, so good luck finding it!

The 'keeper claims the ball at Newsham's feet.

In the only change to the Pilgrims line-up Fairclough stepped in for Parker at right back.  Despite the vocal backing from the travelling support, mainly directed at the Lincoln fans alongside the Pilgrims on the terrace, the on-the-pitch action was uninspiring.  It seemed as though United hadn't realised it was an early kick-off and were still asleep; Stortford were on top.  Bazza had to be on good form to keep out several chances from Dwight Gayle as the southern club pressed.  Boston responded through Newsham and Hall but spent the majority of the first period under pressure.

United started to come back into the game as White, making up for an uncharacteristic error at the back, had a header blocked at the other end of the pitch.  Semple and Holsgrove were the catalyst for the Pilgrims' resurgence with ten minutes of the half remaining.  Good combination play between the two wingers and Newsham resulted in a couple of chances for Semple.  He put one high over the top and the other across the face of goal with Newsham coming close to slamming it in at the back post to ensure it was 0-0 at the break.

Boston apply pressure to the Stortford defence.

Changing ends at the break meant walking past the Blue Square Bet girls who sadly only turn out on non-league day, yet another thing you don't usually see at a non-league ground normally.  The second half was a scrappy affair with several bookings and a mammoth amount of time-wasting by the Stortford 'keeper.  United were battling through the interruptions and continuing to assert themselves.  Despite this Boston were unable to fashion many chances.  Ward heading wide, while the 'keeper added to the frustration by keeping Holsgrove out.

Bizarre changes were made to the line up as the lively Holsgrove was replaced by Suarez meaning two big men up front while Newsham switched out wide.  The much improved Hall, who comes to life alongside Sleath was replaced by Milnes too as the managers presumably looked to go to a more offensive line-up.  These changes saw the Pilgrims get forward more meaning that Stortford could be dangerous on the break.  More oddity arose when a strange incident in which Semple and Stortford's Phil Anderson seemed to forget the football and had a wrestling match.  I'm not sure what the ref or his assistant saw but they contrived to send off Anderson but not Semple; lucky.

Semple falls over in front of the Pilgrims' faithful.

With Stortford down to ten the Pilgrims went from their slightly more attacking formation back to the one they started with as Wilkinson came on for Sleath.  If you've struggled to follow the changes to personnel and formation then you aren't the only one!  Boston had the odd chance but were still being frustrated by the 'keeper wasting time at every opportunity.  The time wasting would come back to haunt Stortford in the sixth minute of added time; White flicked the ball down to Newsham in the home team's box and he calmly turned and slotted home the winner capping a very average performance on the road.

Next up: England vs Wales at Wembley.

You Can Shove Your Yorkshire Puddings Up Your Arse!

Boston United vs FC Halifax Town

Apparently Boston played much better against Harrogate, probably something to do with me not going.  Reports told of a much improved defence, Alan White coming back once again to partner Tom Ward in the centre of the defence in place of the extremely fragile Parker and Austin combination.  Sleath was also back in the middle of the park and Boston apparently looked a lot brighter.  The consistency of this improvement would be tested a few days later on Bank Holiday Monday against FC Halifax Town.

An unchanged Pilgrims line-up took to the field against opponents with similar experience of financial woes.  Halifax took the easy option of "letting" their club die and starting again, an option not afforded to United.  As such Halifax are something of an enigma, they are a relatively big club recovering up through the leagues, whether this means they'll do well this season is anybodies guess.  They, like Boston have started slowly and  are looking to build up a run of form that will put them in the mix (and other assorted footballing clichés) at the end of the season.

Nice to see an away following for once!

One thing Halifax can guarantee is a good away following.  As such they were given the Town End and they didn't disappoint, bringing more fans than the efforts of the rest of the league combined (probably).  This set the stage for the best atmosphere at York St since, well, the play-offs last season.  Stones started in his usual clumsy, inactive fashion until he took a blow to the head.  The blow seemed to spark some life into non-leagues very own Andy Carroll and his performance was much improved.  Maybe we could employ the fitness coach to knock Stones round the head with a bat; it'd be more useful than what he is currently doing, whatever that is.

Boston were playing the better football and were much, much improved from the Nuneaton game.  The sides traded long range shots before United, playing a neat passing game, started to apply pressure.  Newsham went close following some good work by Holsgrove.  Semple was next to supply for the Pilgrims and Stones, actually winning a header, had his effort blocked on the line.  Boston had the best of the first half but couldn't create the chances to take advantage of their superiority.

Boston apply some pressure.

Halifax came out the stronger in the second-period and created a few chances which Bastock kept out comfortably.  They should've scored from a corner but couldn't hit the target following a free header.  United were under pressure and dropping a little deep but still looked reasonably solid at the back.  White was playing well supported by man of the match contender Ward; Ward even had a shot on target as he headed down from a corner.  Set pieces were the only chances that Boston seemed to be able to create, presumably as they resulted in the opportunity for the front-men to get into position without having to be mobile in any significant way, shape or form.  Suarez was brought on to replace Stones who was in serious risk of being sent off for leading with his elbows but it was a like for like substitution and Suarez couldn't make an impact either as the game died out.

Halifax could have snatched all three points right at the death.  Holsgrove contributing for the first time in the second half by failing to track his runner enabled a free back-post header to fly narrowly over.  A point a piece was about right in the end.  United's attacking line up was still woefully immobile and lacking in ideas, nothing a pacey striker couldn't fix though.  The midfield looked to have a much better balance and the defence actually looked solid for once; it's progress.

Next up: Bishop's Stortford away.