Boston fans of recent years have had a less than romantic experience of the FA Cup. Since returning to non-league United have been unceremoniously dumped out of the world's premier cup competition in glamour-ties against the likes of Workington, Cambridge, Lowestoft and Worcester; in fact United have failed to go on a non-league cup run since the 1997-98 season. Kidsgrove provided the second qualifying round opposition for the Pilgrims. That's Kidsgrove who sit in 15th in a league two levels below United with 11 points from a possible 27; the same Kidsgrove that United knocked out of the FA Trophy three years ago, beating them 6-0 at York St. United made one change from the mid-week home win against Droylsden with Burrow replacing a very slightly injured Lee.
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| A rare Kidsgrove effort in the first half. |
Kidsgrove had the better of the opening exchanges and were passing it through the United midfield with virtual impunity. An under-pressure United received another blow as Tom Ward was forced from the pitch with an ankle injury, he was replaced by Austin with five mins gone. In truth there was very, very little to write about in the first half with the afternoon heat adding to the distinct pre-season feel of the day. This feeling was reflected in the most inanimate 16 away fans I have ever seen in York St, the 801 home fans weren't exactly pulsating either.
Despite Kidsgrove playing some neat passing football it was the Pilgrims who enjoyed the scant first-half chances. Semple and White both putting the ball high and wide. Burrow failed to worry the Athletic 'keeper following a set-up from Newsham and Sleath. It was Newsham himself who finished off the drab first-half on a high with a headed effort drawing a brilliant save from Kidsgrove's shot stopper.
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| Two-footed lunge, not a red card apparently. |
Kidsgrove actually had a shot in the first few minutes of the second period and this seemed to galvanise United who stepped up a gear. United were much crisper in the pass and began to draw late challenges from the Athletic players. The ref seemingly completely lost the plot, giving free-kicks and bookings for nothing challenges while giving nothing for leg-breakers, two-footed dives and elbows in the face. Boston should have been in front but Burrow couldn't control a good ball into his feet while inside the area and the chance slipped away. Burrow was again guilty of profligacy as he and Newsham failed to get on the end of a great ball across the face of goal from Semple.
A free-kick saw Semple fire over as the fouls started to pile up. Kidsgrove's Dave Walker was lucky to escape a straight red for a two-footed, flying lunge on Bastock, the Athletic (not athletic) front man had further luck when he again took exception to Bastock and seemed to kick him in the chest! Walker kept pushing his luck though and finally received his marching orders when he decided it would be a great idea to hack down Austin without reason. What an idiot.
Lee and Fairclough were introduced in place of Burrow and Newsham in an attempt to freshen the attack up. It worked, to an extent. Boston were flying now with superb, patient build-up play piling pressure on the visitors. Sleath was denied from close range by the 'keeper and then on the line by a defender within seconds as United looked to walk the ball into the net. White headed just over the bar from a Milnes corner, then did it again a minute or so later. The luck really wasn't with White who had his next shot blocked by defensive partner, Austin; the United centre-back could've shot from six inches out into an empty net and he'd still have missed!
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| Boston pile on the pressure in the closing stages. |
The final chance of the afternoon went to player/manager Jason Lee who got up well to draw a fantastic tip over the bar from the Kidsgrove 'keeper as the ten men held on for the replay. It was astutely pointed out that the game was reminiscent of the 2009/10 FA Trophy tie against Quorn; we lost that replay...
Next up: Altrincham away.
