This play-off semi-final, second leg was put into context with the announcement of the sad death of Pilgrims Safety Officer, Richard Carrington, on Sunday morning following a lengthy illness. A minute silence was impeccably observed in his honour by both sets of fans.
The players walk out to a packed York St.
An early trip to York St gave to opportunity to watch the Black Country derby, it also offered an opportunity to drown the nerves under several pints of beer while praying that Boston could defend more effectively than West Brom. The ground started to fill early and the fantastic home support of 2538 was bolstered by a pitiful 102 from Guiseley, one fifth of the support the Pilgrims took to Yorkshire on a Tuesday night first leg. The Pilgrims were hoping to field a full first team but unfortunately Kev 'Keith' Austin aggravated an injury in the warm up and so Kieran Murphy started. Pearson and Dudfield did manage to make it back into the team with Clarke and Boyes missing out as the Pilgrims looked to overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit.
Churchy lines up a free-kick.
Boston were flying from the off as Pearson had his first effort cleared off the line, Yates put in the resultant corner and this time Pearson buried it. Walshaw tried to restore Guiseley's advantage and managed to get a shot away without falling over much to the home support's amazement. Dudfield and Weir-Daley both had chances but couldn't take advantage and neither could Guiseley as a shot was blocked by the Boston back line. It was Boston who were having the better of an end to end game though and they were nearly ahead in the tie when Church smashed the ball into the crossbar either side of the break, including one from a belting free kick.
In a repeat of the first leg Guiseley were better after the break. This improvement resulted in a goal as a free-kick deflected off the wall and fell to Rothery who beat Bastock from close-in. Despite the improvement from the visitors it was still the Pilgrims creating most of the chances as Davidson and Clarke replaced Weir-Daley and Canoville respectively. Yates had a great effort saved by the Guiseley 'keeper. Yates was at the centre of most of United's good work in the second half and had another shot deflected just wide before his corner was returned to the box by Clarke, allowing Church to level the tie again. Boston should have been awarded two or three spot-kicks during normal time but these were added to the one from the first leg in being turned down incorrectly.
The sublime Yates receives treatment in front of a heaving Town End.
Davidson had a chance to put United ahead early in extra time but could only nod wide from another great Yates cross. Three minutes into the second period of extra time and a woeful clearance from Murphy allowed Stamp to spank in a wonderful effort from 20 plus yards. The crowd was silenced except for a small contingent of joy in the corner of the York St stand. The quiet lasted five minutes at the most. Yet again Yates was at the centre of things, swinging in a brilliant cross for Davidson to convert to put Boston 3-2 up on the day and level 3-3 on aggregate. The chance to win the tie fell to Boyes a few yards out completely unmarked and with only a minute or so to go but he leant back as he hit it and the ball sailed over.
Before this season I had never seen a Boston penalty shoot-out, now I've seen two. Church and the cheat, Walshaw, both converted theirs but Sleath's penalty was brilliantly saved and Stamp gave Guiseley the advantage. The Guiseley 'keeper made yet another superb save to deny Jelleyman, Boshell couldn't take advantage as his spot kick was fired straight at Bazza but Boston couldn't level up either, Boyes hitting the post. Toulson spanked his kick against the bar giving Dudfield the opportunity to keep United in it. Guiseley had to score to win the tie and Payton duly rolled the ball past Bazza to put United out. I hate penalties.
The gutting feeling was tempered by immense pride in the performance and the overall achievement of the season. The lads have done so well to even get to the play-offs. Guiseley, whilst good enough on the pitch might not be good enough off it for the Blue Square Prem. and so I hope Telford win the play-off final, having seen off Nuneaton in the other semi.
Next up: England Ladies vs Sweden Ladies at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford will follow my 2010/11 season awards post.
Weatherspoons in Boston was the staging point for the pre-party-bus pints to settle the nerves. Beers along with tainted coke ensured not only temporary balance issues as serious as those of the Guiseley front-line but a couple of unplanned "comfort" breaks en route to Yorkshire for the play-off semi final, first leg. The balance issues also ensured that the party bus was rocking by the time we got to Nethermoor Park and piled out in full view of the cameras of Calendar or Look North or some other TV company that only shows an interest when we are at risk of playing Linscum next season.
There were Boston fans everywhere, along with the odd one or two from Guiseley dotted around; United must have brought 500+ of the 1000 odd attendance. The Townenders presented their own player of the season award to Church, evidently disappointed that Pearson whitewashed the official awards. The vocal support grouped together in one of the sheltered areas as the teams walked out, making it easy for the stewards to come and steal the inflatables and toilet roll; spoil sports. Boston had made six changes from the weakened team that played against Vauxhall Motors; Canoville, Austin, Sleath, Semple, Boyes and Weir-Daley all coming in at the expense of Murphy, Pearson, Cullingworth, Frost, Dudfield and Stones. Despite these changes it still wasn't what I'd call a first choice team.
Boston flew out of the blocks and had chances almost immediately as Yates sandwiched Guiseley efforts by nailing a free kick high before belting a second shot over. Guiseley tested both Bazza and the integrity of the crossbar in response. Following the initial shots across the bows the half tightened up and there were few chances. Boston were having the better of the play but weren't helped when big Keith was forced off with an injury, having turned down a chance to play at Wembley with Darlington to remain with the Pilgrims.
The teams shake hands in front of the Boston fans.
Guiseley showed their Blue Square Premier class before the break as their floodlights and seemingly half the electricity in the ground failed, presumably because some Yorkshire Tea had been spilt on a generator or something. Surely, surely Eastwood's ground is better than this? There was just enough time for another injury before the break as the superb referee had to be replaced by the fourth official. This was a shame for him, and probably for United too as the injured ref. hadn't been having any of Guiseley's falling over crap.
The sun sets over Yorkshire,
it's a good job the floodlights are reliable...
Someone had put another quid in the meter and the lights were back on as the teams walked out for the second half. Guiseley managed one chance but it was Boston who should have gone ahead. A stonewall penalty was not given by the fourth official, who showed why he hadn't given it by patting the underside of his arm where he thought the ball had hit the defender. Last time I checked it was still handball when the ball hits an arm that's raised. Mind you the fourth official should know better than me with all that time he has to read the rules whilst sitting on the sidelines...
Weir-Daley was denied but it was all Guiseley for a spell as the tide of the game turned. Bastock made some excellent saves to keep the scores level but he couldn't keep out a worldy of a Peyton 35 yard free-kick, following a Church foul. Guiseley threw everything at United in trying to increase the lead in the longest 15 minutes of play that I can remember watching. Jason Lee brought himself on to try and alleviate the pressure but this only resulted in numerous Guiseley free-kicks as various defenders ran into Lee and bounced off.
Boston did well to hang on and ensure it's all to play for in the second leg. There was a bit of trouble on the way out of the ground as three men and a dog the size of a horse seemed determined to take on 40+ Boston fans in a fight. The stewards moved in and duly protected said angry northerners from their own stupidity. I bet they don't turn up at York St.
So then, a distraction before the first leg of Boston's play-off semi-final, something to keep my mind off it for a little while at least. Hitchin Town vs Daventry Town in the Zamaretto Division One: Central play-off final looked likely to do the job. Hitchin finished as the highest team in the division not to have points deducted so may have reason to feel aggrieved that they lost out on automatic promotion to local rivals Arlesey Town by a point. The path towards the ground passed via a couple of decent pubs, Molly Malones and The Victoria, both worthy of a visit should you ever end up in Hitchin.
Kick off at Top Field.
Hitchin's ground is fairly tidy, although I'm not sure how much bouncing the stand made of wooden planks behind one goal could take. I'm sure that programmes are usually readily available but the fact that the club were frantically printing more inserts to go into their programme from the week before seems pretty tinpot. Not as tinpot as running out of programmes entirely, but still pretty tinpot. The crowd was a bumper one, boosted by Arsenal fans and a good contingent from Daventry. There were also a high proportion of attractive young ladies there, if this is what it's like in the southern league then I hope we get transferred south; if we don't go up that is!
Despite the hyperbole on the official report, there were no queues down the road as far as I could see. There is a point here, I have only experienced it with Arsenal fans and usually from middle-class suburban, white lads who wish they were anything but middle class, suburban or white; they are terrible! They come to lower league grounds and joke about "that one time they were at Highbury", they complain about the ground and the fans being quiet. Yes, Arsenal fans complaining about a quiet crowd! They sit there and compare the players to international players and then complain that the standard isn't the same. I know it's nice they show an interest and more importantly bring in money but they should be banned from non-league. BANNED!
Hitchin pressure Daventry from a free-kick.
Hitchin had the better of Daventry for large portions of the game and looked the better team by some stretch. There were complaints from the Hitchin fans about Daventry cheating, being overly-physical and diving about. From a neutral point of view these claims were largely unfounded. There were scant chances created with both defences standing strong until the 39th minute. Following a good cross the ball was neatly controlled by Frendo who swivelled on the spot to spank the ball into the net.
Daventry tried to get back into the game after the break but the chances just weren't falling for them and when they did they couldn't take advantage. Dav. Town were punished for not taking their chances when the Canaries deservedly went 2-0 up, a swinging free-kick flicked in off the head of Dean Gilbert with an hour gone. Daventry were unlucky not to pull one back as they hit the woodwork twice and forced a fantastic save from Hitchin's Jimmy Carr look-a-like 'keeper in the space of a minute or so. At this point some of the Daventry fans decided that the game was effectively over and that it'd be better to go and taunt the surprisingly quiet Hitchin/Arsenal fans with what were allegedly EDL chants. Idiots.
Hitchin celebrate their first goal.
Hitchin defended stoutly and could have caught Daventry on the break a few times. The Canaries couldn't find the killer third but in the end it wasn't required as the final whistle blew. There was a mini pitch invasion from the Hitchin fans but it was all pretty reserved really; a very strange atmosphere. The Daventry fans staged their own eye-watering pitch invasion, a man in a purple morph suit was joined by a man wearing a tiny orange mankini in showing one of the Dav. Town players their appreciation with a hug. Poor man. The subdued atmosphere was not quite as inspiring as the thought of the pub and so the journey home began.
Well it's been pretty hectic recently and it's taken a while to write this but it's here eventually.
Semi-Final
Thank God for play-offs! After messing things up at Marine on Saturday the play-off semi-final provided an excellent opportunity to put the disappointment of a few days ago behind us and crack on towards promotion. Boston were drawn to play North Ferriby at York St. Both teams had been on decent runs of late but I was secretly confident that Boston had enough to win this game. The last meetings against Ferriby had gone in the Pilgrims favour with a 3-1 win at York St. in November followed by a scrappy goalless draw at Ferriby later in the season.
Boston started really well and had much the better of the first half. Chances went begging but it always felt like we'd get a couple of goals. The goals duly came in the form of a couple of screamers from Yates and Newsham in a five minute spell towards the end of the half. Boston took this lead into half time and looked really comfortable.
Floodlit at York St.
Boston played much the same in the second half, whilst Ferriby were lucky to finish the game with eleven men. Some shocking decisions were made by the Ref., including a couple of horrendous two footed tackles going unpunished. Luckily none of our players were injured and Boston continued to press. A goal against the run of play by Foot with 12 minutes to go made things a bit nervous but the Pilgrims always had the beating of Ferriby.
The Pilgrims attack the Town End.
Things kicked off in the York St stand a couple of times during the second half but it was mostly the kids clubs from either side involved. A strong police presence after the game kept the trouble to a minimum, at least around the ground anyway! A reminder to those who'd questioned the use of segregation at our ground.
Bradford Park Avenue had won the other semi-final against Kendal, a scrappy affair by all accounts including three penalties (two missed). This set-up an all or nothing tie against the Pilgrims at the Horsfall Stadium on what came to be known as 'Second Chance Saturday'.
The Final
A lift to the Horsfall was secured in a (successful) attempt to avoid any Marine-esque travel related shenanigans. This paid off as I arrived in Bradford with plenty of time spare to sample the local pub's offerings. The pub had a great jukebox and was almost exclusively populated with Boston fans. I also had the good fortune to fall into possession of a free pint, it's intended target having already departed for the ground.
Free pint dispatched I decided to amble down towards the turnstile. The queue wasn't as bad as I'd expected. The turnstile was doing brisk business and there were several guys taking money for entrance through a steel gate. Obviously everyone going through the gate was counted onto the attendance. I'm sure it would never cross Bob Blackburn's mind to fiddle the gate receipts as some less trusting people have alleged. The next mission was queuing for the toilet, two urinals for half a stadium was never going to be enough!
The Boston players warming up.
Those trifling matters out of the way I went looking for somewhere to watch the match from. The main stand was where all the Boston were gathering and it seemed as good a place as any. It was heaving and many people were stood in the gangways, much to the annoyance of the locals. The stewards did ask politely that we move but to no avail. With a good atmosphere building it was time for the football...
Bradford started well and were denied an absolutely stonewall penalty when their striker went down in the box within the first minute or so, how the Ref missed that one I have no idea. The game was stretched and a few end-to-end exchanges culminated in Boston conceding. At the time I could've sworn the goal was offside but I've been reliably informed since that it wasn't and so Reeves put BPA 1-0 up on the 35th minute. BPA had the better of the remaining minutes and went into the break the happier team.
The second half saw Bradford continue where they had left off in the first. They kept pressing and how they didn't go three or four up I will never know. The wind was against the Pilgrims but if anything this helped Boston as it encouraged them to get the ball down and play, as they had done for the rest of the season. BPA were still playing well and as they hit the woodwork though there seemed no way back for the Boston. The one hope for the Pilgrim supporters was that all these missed chances would come back to bite Bradford and, as is so often the way in football, come back to bite them they did. On 61 minutes 'Tap-in' Newsham pinged in a brilliant strike, his 29th of the season, following a cross from the recently brought on Semple.
The goal acted as a catalyst for the Pilgrims who went on to batter BPA in the latter stages of the second half in an attempt to find the winning goal. It was not to be, however, and the final whistle blew with the score level. Extra time well and truly got under-way when Church smashed home three minutes in to send the already brilliant Boston support absolutely crazy! The two security guards had no chance of stopping celebrations spilling onto the running track. In all the madness the BPA manager belted the side of his dugout and subsequently spent the rest of extra time hobbling much to my delight!
Boston played out the rest of extra time as much the better side. Chance after chance was created. I don't say this often so take note... DANNY DAVIDSON PLAYED WELL! Barring the fact he should've had a hat-trick but failed to convert any of his chances, other than that he did well though. The final few minutes were very nervy summed up by Newsh.sat between the dugouts, head in hands, unable to watch. The whistle finally rang out after what seemed an eternity and Boston United were promoted. Cue pitch invasion, champagne and just general insanity.
Match Highlights including the two Boston goals, the final whistle and pitch invasion. All shamelessly ripped from Youtube and the wonderful BUFCnet.
Once things had calmed down (well as much as could be expected) the trophy was presented, pictures taken and the trip home made before a night of celebration. If I'm honest don't remember much after that...
The play-off winners trophy is presented (honest)
What a great day! Thanks to all those at the club who made it possible. The most obvious one is the chairman, David Newton, who saved the club. Thanks to Paul Hurst and Rob Scott, I had no idea who you were when you were appointed but you are truly awesome! Thanks to the players for showing the commitment that wasn't shown by last years squad. Thanks to the back-room staff for all the hard work. Finally thanks to all the fans in the Unibond, Boston or otherwise, for making it an exciting and (mostly) friendly place to watch football. I'm finally proud to be a supporter of Boston United FC again, it's been too long... In the eloquent words of Scott Dalton - Boston United, from bankrupt to back up in three years.
