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.

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.

Don't mention zee flood!

Workington AFC vs Boston United

Miles travelled: 0

Standing waiting for the bus to take me into Bedford on Friday afternoon, I couldn't help but contemplate the epic three day journey to Borough Park before me.  I had plenty of time to do this as, true to form, the bus was late.  Boston haven't lost to Workington since the dawn of time as far as I can tell so I had high hopes.  That said the Pilgrim's form is all over the place at the moment and they haven't looked dangerous going forward or solid at the back for a long time.  Workington were one of the leaders at the start of the season but they quickly fell away to mid-table anonymity following a 4-0 spanking at York St., so it's anybody's game.

Miles travelled: 16

Onto the train at Bedford station.  Boston have signed Kevin Austin, formerly of Lincoln City, from Darlington on a month loan.  The defence needs shoring up, with Murphy and Jelleyman both out.  The question is: is the required pace going to come from a 38 year old?  One of the main weaknesses of the Boston back line is a lack of pace, teams seem to have sussed this now.

Miles travelled: 159

Back in Boston for an overnight stop.  Recharging the batteries before the mammoth push to the north west.  The weather doesn't look good.  Heavy rain, snow and fog is forecast for the journey and some for Workington itself.  Never-the-less, the bus turns up at 9 a.m. on a drizzly Saturday morning and 25ish people pile on for the ride.

Miles travelled: 391

Beautiful weather in "The North".

The weather has gone from drizzle to fog to snow to snow and fog, back through drizzle again and starts to fine up just as we approach Workington.  A lot of games in the north are off but thankfully Workington has survived.  It's been slow going but, with five minutes to spare, the bus approaches a fine looking ground with some sizeable covered stands and plenty of character.  I don't know what all of the fuss is about, the ground looks decent...

Miles travelled: 392

Turns out that was the rugby ground.  The football ground is the other side of the Tesco and is an altogether shabbier affair.  If £12 to get into the heavily rusted stands isn't bad enough, the food is reportedly woeful and the programmes have sold out.  Presumably they didn't expect Boston to bring 70-80.  As the teams ran out it was apparent that the managers had made three changes.  Austin came straight in for Pearson (ill), Darren Williams and Spencer Weir-Daley came in for Semple and Yates as the Pilgrims lined up with a diamond formation.

An end-to-end first half.

This new tactic paid off early on as Boston looked lively.  19 minutes in and testing cross from Cullingworth supplied Boyes, who managed to scuff the ball into the far corner following some pinball in the six yard box.  Workington tried to fight back and had a couple of chances in quick succession including a header over the bar and a free-kick that nearly found it's way past Haystead.  It was Boston who scored again though, Boyes winning the ball and firing a shot into the bottom corner.  So far into the bottom corner that the celebrations were momentarily delayed before we realised the ball hadn't gone wide.

Toilet facilities in non-league: not always the best.

2-0 up with 33 minutes gone and cruising, or not.  Within a minute Workington had pulled one back; Sleath slipped and Haystead could do little to stop Rogan from walking around him before leisurely sliding the ball into the open goal.  Four minutes later and Workington drew level; a cross bobbled around the area before falling to Wright who smashed home a belter from a tight angle.  The only other thing to note from the first half is that Workington are a little touchy about the recent flood.  So much so that if you mention water, water-logging, sand, beaches, buckets and spades, deck chairs or anything like that they will threaten to throw you out.  Good job we didn't bring any beach balls with us then!

The second half saw more end-to-end football; Workington retaining the ascendency with a shot blasted well over.  A few moments later and Workington had the ball in the net again.  A blocked shot falling nicely for the cross to come in, which was converted at the back post by Hewson.  Boston were starting to hang on a bit and Workington were looking like they could put the game out of reach.  Pearson replaced Canoville and Semple replaced Williams as the diamond became a flat four across the midfield.  This change suited the Pilgrims and released some of the Workington pressure.  The final change was made with 20 minutes to go as Hunter came on to replace the tired looking Weir-Daley.

Pushing for the equalizer.

The introduction of Hunter and Semple made a real difference as Boston went back on the attack.  Newsham had an effort go wide and looked short on confidence as he refused another shot, choosing instead to try and unsuccessfully work the ball into the box.  This lack of confidence couldn't have been too bad as with 12 minutes to go Pearson was brought down in the Workington box.  Newsham stepped up to plant the penalty past the 'keeper and bring Boston level.  Four minutes later Newsham struck again, a brilliant pass from the influential Hunter playing him in on goal.

Newsham puts Boston in front from the spot.

Workington threw everything at United in the dying minutes.  This was their undoing as Boston's good defensive play enabled Hunter to counter-attack.  A well timed lay-off to Semple, with the 'keeper already committed, provided an easy finish for the winger to make it 5-3 and to complete a wonderful comeback in the final minute.  It was a roller-coaster ride from start to finish and well worth the trip.  Both teams looked like they could score with every attack and fortunately it was the Pilgrims that came out on top!  The Boston defence still looks painfully slow and this might well cost United in future matches.

Miles travelled: 625

The bus ride back to Lincolnshire saw the Pilgrim's day get even better with the news that not only had Boston won but Lincoln had lost.  The radio was also seeing some use, as commentary of the Fat Fraudster and the most hated team in England being beaten by Manchester United added extra cheer.  What a brilliant, but very long, day!

Miles travelled: 704

Following the overnight stay in Boston I managed to scrounge a lift with my sister back to Bedfordshire, where I am writing this post.  Three days, 704 miles and eight goals, not a bad way to spend a weekend!  Now to start planning for Solihull Moors on Tuesday night; dedication or madness?  Probably both.

Next up: Solihull Moors at York St.

Unbeaten, you're having a laugh!

Boston United vs Workington AFC

Workington visited York St. in a repeat of the first game for Boston after they were saved from oblivion by Newton and Kempster at the start of the 07-08 season.  Workington started the day second in the league and unbeaten so far.  It'd be a tough game then?  No, not really. 1556 turned out with a smattering of fans from Workington, they brought more than Gainsborough last time Boro' were here.  The game was tight early on.  Workington were solid and good going forward.  Their number 7 and number 10 were pacey and looked like causing the Pilgrims defence a lot of trouble.  Chances were evenly shared between the teams with Workington going closest hitting the bar as Phil McLuckie didn't quite live up to his name.  One of the Workington lads scythed down Yates (I think) but the referee had decided he wasn't going to give anything this game.  That was until Canoville slid in five seconds later with an identical challenge and got an instant booking.  Consistency much?  The ref. obviously wasn't that observant as it took him half an hour to realise that the Boston centre-backs were both wearing number five.  I'm sure there is a by-law against that somewhere.

We'll probably get a points deduction for this.

Boston had a few chances as well, a goal line clearance from a Pearson header followed by a good save from a Church shot.  Church, thankfully, had an average game.  I say thankfully as there was a scout from Huddersfield sat in the York St. end tasked with watching him and Hunter.  A couple of players who have been a bit anonymous this season so far were really impressive.  Danny Sleath, who won man of the match, was back to the Sleath of last season and was creating well in midfield.  The other player who played brilliantly was Danny Davidson.  Yes, you read that right.  It was Davidson who provided the first goal five minutes before half-time.  The goal came from nothing when some fancy footwork bought DD some space before he belted home from twenty yards.  Davidson could have been on the score-sheet again as more wonderful footwork saw him break free in the box before his shot was blocked by Weir-Daley.

The Workington 'keeper shuts Boston out.

It took the Pilgrims five minutes after the break to double the lead and then triple it in a mater of minutes as Weir-Daley got both.  Workington were looking decidedly shaky and were probably pleased to see Davidson being replaced by Newsham.  I usually complain bitterly when the managers wait until the 87th minute before bringing on something new up front, I also complain when they go like-for-like and leave Davidson on.  This time they made the substitution early but for me Davidson was still a big threat and I'd have left him on.  Enjoy it, Danny, I'll probably not say it again.  The Pilgrims scored their fourth with twenty minutes to go, Pearson getting his inevitable finish from a set piece.  When are teams going to start marking him?  Hunter came on with a few minutes to go bout couldn't find anything to impress the scout.  Boston had a few more chances but the game finished 4-0.

A great result against a good side leaving the Workington travelling support a long trip home.  It's nice to see how far we've come since that wonderful fist day of the season on the 11th of August 2007 when 1815 watched the new era at Boston United begin.

Next up: Alfreton vs Boston in a top of the table clash.