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.

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.

The biggest bunch of fannies I have ever seen!

Boston United vs Solihull Moors

"The biggest bunch of fannies I have ever seen!"

My mate, Chris, wanted at least one of his many quotes to appear in this blog, so there it is.  I can only assume he is talking from ample experience and I'm sure his Dad will be very proud...  That said he isn't far off.  Solihull are the only team that we haven't met in the league at least once this season.  They are also in a cracking run of form coming into the game having not been beaten since November the 9th, 11 league games in total.  Moors also had the advantage of sitting at home doing nothing while the Pilgrims were nailing three points following a couple of hundred mile trip, so it's fair to say they should be a bit fresher!

We are Boston!

There were a couple of new loan faces in the Boston line-up, in addition to the three new lads who played on Saturday.  All the new players started as Boston lined-up with Haystead in goal; Darren Williams and Mark Robinson, both from Tinpot Trinity, at right and left back respectively; Pearson and Austin in the centre of defence.  The midfield consisted of Grant Darley and Jamie Green, both from Rotherham, on the wings with Church and Sleath in the middle.  Newsham and Boyes started up front.

The game was end to end from the off and no sooner had I finished my fantastic chips and curry (definitely the best in the league) than both teams had chances.  Solihull had the first but it was well off target and it was the Moors 'keeper, Singh, who became the first to be tested.  A good effort from Boyes was kept out.  Boyes turned supplier for Newsham minutes later but Singh was on hand again to deny United.

Solihull in trouble as the ref. finally gets something right.

Solihull had a period of sustained pressure towards the end of the first period and it was Haysteads turn to be the hero.  A slip from one of the Tinpot lads let a Moors player in but Haystead saved well.  Haystead then made a brilliant one handed save and then another to tip the ball over the bar and put United even more in his debt.  He couldn't quite get to the next shot; the bar rescued the Pilgrims this time round as Solihull knocked at the door.  Moors were nearly caught on the break as they continued to pile the pressure on but Singh was alert to deny Boyes again just before half time.

The second half began much as the first with chances at both ends.  Neither side could keep their shots on target, with Newsham firing just wide for the Pilgrims.  Church had a belting shot ping off the bar from twenty-plus yards but it was Solihull who took the lead.  Another great save from Haystead denied Moors but he couldn't get it clear and Smith was on hand to nod in with half an hour to go.  

The yellow "falling over" boots.

The Pilgrims tried to get back into the game but the pressure was continually interrupted by tumbling Moors players.  A stiff breeze seemed enough for them to fall over and the ref. was gullible enough to keep giving them the free kicks.  The ref. even decided to reduce United to ten men by not allowing Church back onto the pitch, following treatment for a head injury, for a good period of the match.

The introduction of Semple and Hunter for Darley and Newsham once again perked United up immensely, their pace really causing the Solihull back four problems.  Davidson came on with fifteen minutes to go and it was looking like it wasn't going to be United's day.  Five minutes later and the cross shy Green actually swept a ball into the box; it went all the way through, bounced off Davidson, and went in!  The best, worst player we have ever had!  Boston played out the last ten minutes well with ten men as Austin became the second player off for a head injury.  1-1, even Spayne Road sang!  A good point from one of the division's form teams and play-off competitors to send the 1042 fans home reasonably happy.

Next up: Stafford Rangers away at Marston Road.