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.

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.

At least we played well!

Boston United vs AFC Telford United

Telford and Solihull Moors were the only two clubs in the league that the Pilgrims hadn't already faced.  There were no illusions that this was going to be an easy game though.  Telford started the day in fifth only a point behind second placed Boston and with a game in hand.  They reportedly had the best player in the league and were supposedly bringing 400-600 supporters across the country to south Lincolnshire.  It was then, a little disappointing to look up and see a Town End with only 94 people bolstering attendance to 1,610, I say people but in a lot of cases it looked more like the cast of Farmers Weekly.  What a waste of Town End.

More flags than fans, what a waste of Town End.

Boston, unchanged from the glorious midweek victory at Tinpot Trinity, were superb in the opening stages and most of the game took place in the Telford half.  Yates has turned in some of his best performances in the free role behind the strikers and both he and Weir-Daley were looking lively again.  The Telford defence were standing strong with ten men behind the ball; the Pilgrims were limited to shooting from range.  Ryan Young, the Telford 'keeper, easily mopped up ranged efforts from Weir-Daley and Boyes.  Telford launched their first attack of the game on 23 minutes.  The beautiful whipped cross wasn't closed down and Andy Brown eluded his marker to glance home a really well taken goal, against the run of play.  A shaken Pilgrims defence nearly conceded a second a few minutes later as a poor free-kick was given away in a dangerous position.  Haystead did really well to tip the ball around the post.  Boston tried to muster a response through Boyes but his header was driven just over the bar.

The Pilgrims came flying out of the blocks in the second half but Telford's resolute defending made things tough for Boston.  Despite all the Pilgrim's pressure it was Telford who had the first chance of the second period, the shot going just wide.  Boston were soon back on the attack though and a beautiful move almost crated a goal.  It was the Pilgrims turn to play long-ball with Haystead finding Yates who managed to move the ball onto the excellent Boyes.  Boyes held the ball up really well and succeeded in laying-off right into the path of Church who slammed a driven shot just wide.  The Pilgrims weren't the only ones struggling to create, with the Boston defence limiting Telford's chances at the far end.  The "best player in the league", wearing number seven for them, spent a lot of time falling over and spent most of the game in Cullingworth's pocket; not what I'd call scintillating play.

Ryan Young keeps Telford in front.

With 20 minutes to go, Boston were awarded their first penalty in the league this season; given for a stonewall handball in the box.  As soon as we were given the penalty I had a feeling we'd miss it.  With no penalties in the league so far, in a big game and in front of the away fans I wasn't confident that Danny Sleath would convert it.  Seemingly neither was he as he didn't go for power and he didn't really go for placement either.  Ryan Young guessed correctly and pulled off a simple save.  Following this the Boston heads seemed to drop and that feeling that it wasn't going to be our day crept in.  All three substitutions were made over the next ten minutes but they were all like for like: Hunter, Davidson and Semple on for Weir-Daley, Boyes and Yates respectively.  There was no change to the system that would allow Boston to get in behind the Telford back-line and cause them problems.  In the end Telford managed to defend comfortably, Boston playing the ball about in front of them for the remainder of the game.

With a performance like that Boston would beat most teams in this league.  Telford were superb in defence and really well organised, not allowing the Pilgrims many chances.  The performance is still very pleasing in-spite of the result and strangely I feel happier in this defeat than I did beating Redditch 1-0 a few weeks back.  If we can build on this and play like that for the rest of the season then we'll be absolutely fine.

There were a few players moving out of the club following the game:

- Aaron Butcher was released, he was never really good enough for this level for me.  He will probably do well learning his trade a few leagues down as he's only young.

- Simon Ashton has gone back on loan to Stamford for the rest of the season to get some first team experience.

- Rory Coleman has gone back to Scunthorpe so he can handle the ball in the box for them instead of us

- Shane Clarke has left the club to go on trial with an M.L.S. club!  How poor must the standard be in America?

So no big losses then and hopefully some money freed up to get a good quality play-maker or someone who likes a challenge in the midfield.

Next up: Stalybridge Celtic away on Tuesday but I'm not doing that one (coverage on United Live) so the next one for me is Workington away.

A completely fair and unbiased account...

Gainsborough "Tinpot" Trinity vs Boston United

So a reaction is what we need after Saturday's dismal performance.  Where better to have that reaction than at the Northolme, home to Gainsborough "Tinpot" Trinity.  As far as I can tell from the terribly out-of-date Tinpot site and shoddy offering of a programme, which looks like it was printed in the back-room of a caravan, Tinpot have won at home only once this year beating Redditch 3-0.  Beat The First Man consoled me with the fact that Boston have good players doing badly where as Tinpot have bad players doing badly; a good performance and some revenge for New Years Day wasn't outside the realms of possibility.  With this sage information ringing in my ears I joined the couple of hundred or so Bostonians on the road to the north of the county, taking a little time to laugh as Sincil Bank as we went past.

Arriving in Gainsborough it was clear that parking wasn't going to be easy; half of Boston's cars seemed to be here.  With parking about a mile away successfully completed the pub was the next order of business.  We got the correct door on the second attempt, having invaded the "executive lounge" or something on the first, and got a pint in with the numerous Boston Boys (and girls) in the bar.  Walking through the turnstiles into the ground it was clear that a good number of Pilgrims had made the trip and were inhabiting the shed behind one of the goals.  I'd tell you where the Tinpot fans were but I couldn't really see any; there were a few people dotted around on either side and some ten year old ASBOs in one of the corners but that was about it.  Mind you, with a home record like theirs who can blame them?

A massive burger queue: the easy way
to tell Boston are in town.

With a win taking Boston into second the managers chose to make one change, bringing in Shane Clarke for Rory Coleman.  The Pilgrims support were in good voice and were rewarded after only six minutes of play when an already rampant Boston's strike force combined to set up Boyes who smashed home his first goal for the Pilgrims.  Boston were playing much the better football, a huge improvement from Saturday.  United were passing it through Tinpot and nearly had a second but Weir-Daley couldn't hit the target.

Tinpot started to come back into the game but couldn't take advantage of numerous opportunities, forcing Haystead into making one good save.  Boston made Trinity pay for this profligacy just on the stroke of half time.  Yates and Weir-Daley combining once again, this time to set up Danny Sleath who curled a beauty into the far corner of the Tinpot goal, giving United a deserved 2-0 lead at half-time.

The Boston corners mount up.

The second period started where the first had left off: with the Pilgrims dominant.  Yates was unlucky not to score in the first minute as his belting shot clipped the post.  A succession of corners saw Boston hit the wood-work twice more, Church's shot tipped onto the bar before Pearson nearly broke the 'keepers hands and the post with a headed effort.  Tinpot Trinity had their own flurry of corners but again couldn't take advantage.  Brian Little: Football Genius tried to change things around just after the hour mark but it was to no avail as a couple of minutes later Boston were three up.  Boyes sprang the offside trap magnificently and waltzed around the stranded 'keeper before prodding into an open net.

All that was left in the remainder of the second period was for the Boston fans to run through the unabridged version of the song book.  Bringing out such classics as "the wheels on your house go round and round", "you're getting sacked in the morning", "one man and his dog, went to laugh at Lincoln" and in response to some heavily-orange young ladies: "gypsy wedding".  Newsham, Davidson and Harry Deane (not Miles Hunter) came into the carnival atmosphere late on but it was Clarke who was denied adding the fourth by a good stop from the Tinpot 'keeper.

Well played, lads!

All in all it was a great response from the lads, just what was needed.  Tinpot weren't terrible but once the Pilgrims got the ball down on the deck and started to play the game their class showed through.  A deserved three points and hopefully the form will carry through to next Saturday.  Incidentally, Linscum lost 5-1 to Shrewsbury; a good night all round!

Next up: Boston United host AFC Telford United.

That wasn't fun.

Worcester City vs Boston United

I don't even know where to begin with this one.  Boston don't seem to be very good at playing football recently. Which, for a football team, presents a few issues.  The performances simply aren't there and it's starting to feel a lot like we're looking back and trying to defend the play-off spot rather than pushing on and trying to win the league.  I know it would take a monumental slip up from the teams above us to win it but that's the mentality we should have.  Looking forward, not back.  The injury problems clearly haven't helped, the team has been changing almost daily, making it difficult to get into a rhythm and string some results together.  Maybe we're a bit lightweight, maybe the team isn't up for the fight.  If that's true then something has changed because we always used to be able to go to tough places and grind out results.  Maybe teams in this league have us sussed.  Maybe we just aren't good enough.

The railway shed.

Worcester away.  Worcester, the team who dumped us out of the FA Cup then celebrated like they'd won it.  A bit of payback then, you'd think.  Well that's what we thought anyway, as we strolled through the back roads to St. George's Lane.  To say that St. George's Lane has character would be an understatement.  That isn't to say it's a good ground, just an interesting one.  There is a sizeable main-stand down the turnstiles side of the pitch which provides seating for a good proportion of the crowd.  The left hand end is the funnel end.  This tapered bit of terracing is accessed by walking around the back of the little cottage in which the changing rooms are situated.  The right hand end is the mountain end.  This end is raised so far above pitch level that if someone forgets their oxygen tanks on the terrace they'll have to call mountain rescue in.  On the side opposite the main-stand there is the engine shed, which I assume used to be part of some industrial railway complex, and a stretch of largely empty open terracing.  Like I said, character.

Worcester might not be in this ground for much longer, if what we were told is correct.  They might not be in business for that matter.  Initially Worcester were going to sell their ground for £7,000,000 and use the cash to pay off their £1,000,000 debt, leaving £6,000,000 for building them a new ground.  It's taken them that long to decide what they are doing that the debt has risen by £600,000 and the ground is now worth up to £5,000,000 less.  I know maths isn't my strong point on a Sunday morning, but that doesn't leave very much left to build a new ground over the next two or three years.  With Redditch having reduced their playing budget to zero this week and their management having gone, it looks like tough times ahead for clubs in that area.

There was a game, I just don't want to talk about it.

You may have noticed I haven't actually talked about the game yet.  That's largely because I don't know what to say.  Boston made four changes with Canoville and Pearson returning from injury to bolster the defence and Yates starting on the wing, hoping to supply the new lad, Boyes, with some ammunition.  Boyes comes highly recommended and has a brilliant scoring record, having scored two goals in the last 4.5 billion years or something.  Because, with all these defensive injuries, a striker is what we really needed.  

Not the best pitch in the world.

The early action set the tempo of the game.  Boston would try to play some nice stuff before being muscled off the ball (sometimes fairly!) only for Worcester to smash it long to their strikers.  The referee proved that he couldn't be relied on to ensure fairness when he didn't even book Matt Birley who'd thrown Cullingworth to the floor.  Worcester were flying into the tackles and the ref was giving nothing.  Despite this there were the odd chances for both teams with Yates tamely chipping a shot into the Worcester 'keepers arms and Birley having two bites of the cherry at the other end.  Worcester were in luck though, the referee handing them a penalty half-way through the second period.  The penalty was given for handball on the line and Pearson was booked.  So Pearson handled it then?  No.  Pearson got booked for asking the referee who had handled it, the ref didn't know.  The penalty was dispatched by Glover to make it 1-0 to Worcester.  There was still time for Worcester to hit the crossbar and Coleman to shank the ball wide for the Pilgrims before half time.  There was also time for a passing Worcester fan to ask "Do you lot always play this dirty? Your team are a bunch of f***ing animals!" which is a bit rich coming from them really.

Erm, what advertising boards?

The second half was better in that the Pilgrims made two chances of note rather than the one in the first half.  There were half-chances though and blocks denied a labouring Weir-Daley and Danny Sleath.  An easy save from the 'keeper was required to shut out Church.  The main talking point of the second period was the Worcester players and the referee.  The Worcester number two, feeling aggrieved that a decision hadn't gone his way spent a good minute or so pushing the ref and screaming in his face.  He got nothing, not a booking, not a talking to.  Nothing.  There were occasions where our players were clearly fouled but the free-kick went the other way.  Absolutely farcical refereeing from Mr John Mayhew.  The gobby number two shut up when defending corners right next to the away support though, he clearly wasn't that brave.  Ryan Clarke thought he'd have a go at the away support, mainly because he was never fit to wear our shirt when he was here.  The lazy, useless mug...

The Worcester number two tries to assault the ref
and gets away with it.

Anyway, I digress, the Pilgrims brought on Semple, Clarke and Davidson to try and switch things around with Semple almost making an immediate impact as he sent a shot just wide of the mark.  Boston were handed a lifeline when a Pearson through ball found the Worcester 'keeper confronted by Spencer Weir-Daley in no-man's-land.  The 'keeper, bizarrely decided to tip the ball up over his head whilst well outside his area and the ensuing red card was no surprise.  Unfortunately for Boston the new 'keeper managed to push the free-kick out for a corner.  Boston were pressing for an equaliser but Worcester, even a man short, still had free runners.  It was this that proved to be the Pilgrims undoing as a cross thrown into the box from wide was turned in to his own net by Clarke.  There was just time for one more shot from Clarke at the other end, which was saved well, before the Worcester celebrations began.  Anyone would think they'd won the league...

We're going to have to be a lot better than that to avoid being smashed away at Tinpot Trinity on Tuesday night.

Next up: Tinpot Trinity at their place.

It'll be terrible but...

Bolton Wanderers vs Wigan Athletic

I've been putting off writing this post all morning.  What to say about this game?  Drab, dull, dreary and devoid of entertainment.  Like a standard episode of Everybody Loves Raymond.  The Stalybridge game fell early to the frost.  Not early enough to prevent me from having got half way there on the train already.  Rather than waste the tickets I looked for a plan B.  Sheffield Wednesday?  Been there.  Rochdale?  Hell to get too.  Chesterfield?  That'd still see me wasting half of my train tickets.  Bolton - Wigan in the FA Cup fourth round?  It'll be a terrible game but it's a ground tick and it uses almost all of my train ticket so it'll do.

The Wigan contingent of the 14,950.
NOTE: the empty seats which characterised this game.

£15 to get in and pay on the gate wasn't terrible and a programme for £2 meant that this game hadn't cost me much more than a pre-game trip to the Buffet Bar at Stalybridge.  The train station, Horwich Parkway, is right next to the ground so access is fairly easy.  My compatriot from More in Hope than Expectation and I considered which team to support.  We dredged through history and came up with the heinous slight inflicted on the Pilgrims by Wigan back in the 1977/78 season.  Boston won the Northern Premier League but were denied promotion to the Football League due to ground grading issues.  Wigan's Springfield Park was probably certainly worse than York St. but Wigan were put up for election to the League in Boston's place anyway.  Wigan won the tight vote at Southport's expense and the rest, as they say, is history.  That was enough for us to lend our support to the Trotters for this match at least.

Nat Lofthouse OBE; 27 August 1925 - 15 January 2011

The tribute to Nat Lofthouse OBE outside the ground was a moving reminder of the wonderful life of a true gentleman and one of the greatest strikers that the English game has ever seen.  Named the Lion of Vienna for his exploits in a 3-2 win over Austria, Lofthouse went on to score 30 goals in 33 England appearances.  Lofthouse died at the age of 85 on the 15th of January 2011.

Not a terrible view for £15.

Queuing up to get into the Reebok Stadium was an experience in itself.  Never before have I seen such an assortment of trackie bottoms, it was like being trapped in a JJB superstore. Which incidentally can probably be found in the retail park in which the ground sits.  For £15 the seats weren't bad and we took our places close to the away fans.  There was nearly a goal within seconds as Kevin Davies put through Ellmander who tested Mike Pollitt in the Wigan net.  The game was bubbling along nicely and only a lack of class in the final third from Wigan's own Moses; combined with some good goal keeping from Jaaskelainen, denying Gomez, kept the score at 0-0.  Petrov was forced to try and single handedly drag Bolton into the game before half time but couldn't hit the back of the net.

The Wigan fans providing the pick of the entertainment.
The attendance might have started at 14,950 but it finished closer to 14,940.

The second half was not the best half of football I have ever seen.  Robbie Blake's introduction threatened to spark some excitement.  Not much, just some.  The best chances of the half arrived in the last few minutes with Jaaskelainen doing well to keep out McManaman while at the opposite end Wheater couldn't hit the target, nailing a shot just wide.  It was never going to be the most exciting of games and the best entertainment was the banter between the two sets of fans combined with the occasional ejection.  The odd chant of "it's time to go home" when a fan gets thrown out is nowhere near as catchy as "cheerio".  The majority of other songs seemed to be exactly the same from both sides with only key words being swapped, the team name for example.  There was much contention amongst the fans over the allegiance of Ali Al-Habsi, on loan to Wigan from Bolton.  I'm not sure how that was even relevant as he wasn't playing.  The oddest of all the songs, however, seemed to be the "wanky, wanky, Wanderers" song.  Which was sung by both sides...  Maybe it means something different up there.

So it wasn't great but a ground tick is a ground tick and the local Tesco in the retail park did ensure there was some food on hand for the long trip home.

Next up: Boston away at Worcester.

A nice distraction

Wootton Blue Cross vs AFC Kempston Rovers

After yesterday's debacle at York St. I decided I needed to get the bad taste out of my mouth immediately so I, along with about 100 others, made my way down to a ridiculously cold Weston Park in Wootton, Bedfordshire; where fourth bottom Wootton Blue Cross would be playing host to high flying AFC Kempston Rovers in a postponed Boxing Day fixture in the Hereward Teamware United Counties League Division One.  A win for AFC Kempston would see them go second ahead of two fixtures against the teams around them.  Wootton would be looking to consolidate into mid-table.  Apologies for just the one photo, it was too cold!

Wootton defend yet another Kempston corner.

AFC Kempston started the brighter and seemed to have a little more class on the ball than Wootton as  expected from the club's respective league positions.  The pressure was being piled on with numerous corners but the Wootton defence was standing strong and dealing well with any aerial threat Rovers could muster.  Clearly the Kempston 'keeper continuously shouting "Kempston winners" whenever the ball was thumped up into the air was having little effect.  This was demonstrated perfectly when a Wootton goal-kick fell to the right winger who travelled with the ball before cutting in and flashing a shot-come-cross which the Kempston shot stopper did well to keep out.  Wootton were having the better of the chances despite not seeing much of the ball and some good work down the left wing resulted in a very dangerous ball across the face of goal.  Kempston rallied towards the end of the first half and a foul on Sam Brown, their ex-Rushden and Diamonds left back, presented an opportunity.  A good ball in from the free-kick resulted in a scramble before the ball was hacked clear by a Wootton defender.

The second half started with Kempston seeing a lot of the ball but still not fashioning many chances.  The Rovers management gave it 15 minutes and, when it was still even, switched things around a bit.  Kempston went 4-3-3 and pressed on forcing Wootton to go with one up front and to drop off a lot more.  Blue Cross weren't helped by their lone striker's inability to be onside, ever.  Kempston's pressing was nearly their undoing though.  A high line enabled a ball to split the defence but the Wootton front man wasn't able to do any more than chip it into the 'keepers waiting arms.  This Wootton chance was the exception though and Kempston were knocking at the door.

They thought they'd found a way in when a big penalty shout went up.  The ref and linesman both said no and they were probably right.  It would have been harsh as the lad had no chance to get his hand out of the way.  It almost didn't matter as the ball dropped kindly and the striker was inches away from connecting with the cross at the back post.  Wootton were sitting deeper and deeper and this cautious approach was to prove costly.  A Rovers attack down the left wing struck a defender on the head and fell back to the winger.  A driven cross was fired in which was bundled home from close range by the Kempston number 10 with seven minutes to go.  Wootton went in search of the equaliser straight from the restart but pushed too many men forward and two minutes later a simple ball over the top put a Kempston striker clean through.  He calmly sold the keeper a dummy and slotted the ball into the bottom corner to effectively end the match.

I've just about got the feeling back into my fingers by typing this!  In spite of the cold it was a very entertaining match and one that was thoroughly worth the £4 gate money.  A pleasant distraction from Boston United for a night.

Next up: It really is Stalybridge Celtic away this time!  Honest!