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.

This County Is Ours...

Gainsborough Trinity vs Boston United

Derby day in Lincolnshire and time for Boston United to put the noisy neighbours in their place.  Well that was the idea at least.  Tinpot as Trinity might be they do have, in the odious Peter Swann, a benefactor willing to chuck money into a bottomless pit.  The willingness to splash the cash saw Tinpot seemingly poach a couple of United players before the start of the season; reportedly offering Jamie Yates twice what the Pilgrims would pay him.  The other way to look at it was exemplified by David Newton on Radio Lincs who, to paraphrase, stated that we'd got rid of all our rubbish to Trinity at the end of last season.  Either way this money has brought some success and as such the inconsistent Pilgrims would surely be lucky to get a point?

Gainsborough Trinity: in desperate need of a new ground.
Who doesn't need 5,000 empty seats?

Trinity, buoyed by their massive money-bags, were confident of beating United at the Northolme for the first time in seven.  There was even "atmosphere" pre-game, as Swann and his cronies proudly sang about Gainsborough Trinity being the pride of Lincolnshire, only to be answered by a deafening response proclaiming that the Boston faithful had, in fact, never even heard of them.  The crowd poured in through the turnstiles, 250ish United fans pushing the attendance to exactly 800 - suggesting that one of Swann's lackies lost count when he ran out of fingers and just put a nice round number down.

The author of 
More In Hope Than Expectation 
shows off his wealth.

The teams walked out as a shower of Monopoly money fluttered onto the stand in mockery of United's rich but tinpot neighbours.  There was only one change to the United line-up following the Hyde game, Fairclough coming in for Canoville.  The mentality was the same, United flew out of the blocks and pressed their opponents into mistakes all over the park.  Despite the early pressure it was the home team that had the better of the chances, a free-kick flying wide before Mettam forced Bastock into one of the saves of the season on 15 minutes.  The save was crucial as within a minute the ball dropped to Jason Lee who slammed it home under the body of the diving Evtimov (at least that's how I think it's spelt, the Tinpot website and programme have several spellings - he must feel really loved).

The travelling support couldn't believe their luck!  It wasn't to last long though as within five minutes ex-Pilgrim Clarke capitalised on an ill-timed slip from Fairclough, to run into the box unchallenged and beat Bastock.  This gave the locals a bit of confidence back but their gloating was short lived.  On 25 minutes Evtimov was beaten from distance for the second time.  Sleath providing a sublime set-up for Milnes to finish.  This knocked the stuffing out of the home side who could only break United down once in the remainder of the first period; Bastock saving well on that occasion.

More of the same was required from the second half and the Pilgrims were excellent on and off the pitch.  Trinity were trying desperately to get back into the game through ex-Pilgrims, Yates and Clarke.  The United defence were on top form and ensured the money-grabbing wingers didn't even get a sniff of a chance.  The Boston front men, on the other hand, were causing trouble; Semple and Newsham both wasting good chances.  Tinpot manager, Housham, struck fear into the visiting fans by bringing on ex-Boston loanee Mulready along with his final sub of the game in a bid to change things around.  Mulready was as ineffective for the home team as he had been for Boston a few weeks earlier and the Pilgrims defence stood firm.

United fans sing their hearts out for the lads.

The use of all his subs was to comeback to haunt Housham.  Evtimov really proved value for money by bringing down Lee when the gaffer was through on goal for a tap-in; red card, penalty and an out-field player in the net.  Newsham made no mistake and United put the game out of Trinity's reach.  Some of the tinpot support didn't much like losing (obviously they haven't been following Gainsborough that long) and felt the need to start a fight.  A few punches later and the stewards finally got round to actually doing something.  Meanwhile on the pitch the Boston boys went close as sub Burrow was denied by an excellent block before Sleath hit the base of the post, the deflection luckily bouncing into the arms of the makeshift 'keeper.  There was just time for a bit more amusement as the ineffectual Yates was named man of the match, much to the delight of the travelling fans.

The performance from United was fantastic and extends the run to eight games unbeaten at Trinity.  The happy Pilgrims made their way back across Lincolnshire with police escorts and trouble kicking off around Gainsborough as the upset locals tried to find some way of managing their embarrassment.  Never mind, eh?  The night was not complete without Duncan Browne's report of Peter Swann walking into the Trinity clubhouse to applause - not sure what for - before fulfilling his true calling and falling over... What a clown!

Next up: United host Workington in the FA Trophy.

Centurion.

Boston United vs Hyde

My 100th post on this blog is celebrated by a gala event, the league leaders at York St.  Sadly it is not the home team which brings this honour but the team from the outskirts of Manchester.  Having really struggled to stay-up last year, Hyde have undergone quite a transformation.  Training equipment from Man. City and a few players from Hoddle's Spanish academy have revolutionised the club who are now flying and are surely title contenders.

An unseasonably sunny and warm York St.

Boston, on the other hand, aren't struggling but aren't flying either; the Pilgrims seem to be hit and miss at the best of times.  The rearranged Hyde game kicks off a difficult run of league games that sees the Pilgrims face Hyde, Gainsborough and Stalybridge; a good start to the run was a must.  Newsham was the only change, starting up front in place of Burrow.  United started brilliantly, pressing Hyde every time the team in blue had the ball.  The first ten minutes saw United have the best of the play but Hyde defended well, limiting Boston to shooting from distance; Newsham and Hall's efforts dealt with easily by the 'keeper.

Hyde were being pressed back but did have a penalty shout turned down by the referee.  Bastock claimed the ball before taking the man, thankfully the ref was pretty decent (two in two weeks?!) and competent enough to see the touch.  So the pen was turned down despite the appeals of the Hyde support.  Next it was the Hyde 'keepers turn to cut it a bit fine, sidestepping Newsham with the ball at his feet.  United were ending the half the better, the 'keeper denying Newsham a couple more times before the break.  Hall also had a flying finish to the first period, booked for a nothing foul on Payne who made the most he could of it.  He then went on a stunning run from deep inside the United half but couldn't pick out anyone in support.

Payne showing what he can do when he isn't falling over!

United's failure to take advantage was to cost them as the Payne showed he was capable of more than just falling over by out-foxing White superbly to gain space from which he placed the ball past Bastock.  United came back brilliantly and thought they were level when Newsham placed a sublime finish into the back of a net, however, he was adjudged to be offside when Lee's flick on came in.  Payne was in the thick of it again as Bastock committed himself.  Payne, seemingly through on goal, saw his shot kept out by Canoville, the gaffer back covering for his over-committed 'keeper.

It wasn't long before Hyde were two up.  A cross was thrown in to the United area and Hyde's Hall was able to knock down to Broadbent - both completely unmarked - who smashed the second home.  Boston heads dropped and the pressing had taken it's toll on the Pilgrims' stamina.  Hyde hit the woodwork twice in stoppage time but if losing by two was a little unfair on the Pilgrims, any more would have been a travesty!  So, not quite the flying start needed for the tough games ahead but a performance like that at Gainsborough away will surely bring a win.

Next up: Gainsborough Trinity away.

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.

Colwyn cheats, a rubbish referee and a deserved comeback

Boston United vs Colwyn Bay

Colwyn Bay are the first welsh team to face United since the last day of the Fat Cheat's Boston career, away at Wrexham, which in hindsight is appropriate.  Boston were coming off the back of a good two game response following some poor form.  Utility man, Armstrong, had left the club for pastures new and was therefore amongst the four changes; Hall, Milnes, Austin and Burrow coming in to replace Newsham, the departed Armstrong, Wilkinson and Mulready.

The teams shake hands in front of the 16 Colwyn fans.

Boston got off to a flier and took the first real chance.  Semple, who'd already caused the Bay back-line problems, arrowed in a superb cross for Lee to power home a header with ten minutes on the clock.  Bay tried to get back into the game but Lloyd-McGoldrick was off target before being denied by Bastock minutes later.  Bay had further chances but couldn't convert before Boston were denied a stone-wall penalty by a seemingly blind ref who's performance was, astoundingly, shaping up to be nearly as bad as the joker from last week!  Semple was turning on the skill and made the full-back look even sillier than a snapshot of their ill-advised, unprofessional and what may be considered borderline racist tweets could do!  The combination of Semple, Hall and Burrow set-up Sleath for a sighter before Semple set himself up for a well-struck 20 yard drive which the Bay 'keeper dealt with neatly.

It was looking like United were going to go in 1-0 up as the clock ticked over 45 minutes but there was late drama in first half stoppage time.  United gifted McEvilly too much space on the edge of the box, which is a miracle in its own right, allowing him to scuff a shot home for the equaliser.  A minute later and Stainfield completed the Pilgrims' implosion, taking out Noon and giving McEvilly the chance to put home his second from the spot.

The second half should have seen Boston's second penalty of the game but this time not only did the ref not see it but he contrived to book Milnes for "simulation" when the midfielder was through on goal.  Bay tried to extend their lead but could only manage to belt the ball across an empty box.  The already tense atmosphere soured further when a Bay centre-back cut his head and required treatment, 5 minutes of treatment in-fact.  What's wrong with that, you may ask?  It was the fact that they carried out the treatment entirely on the pitch, wasting time and slowing the pace of the game.  The game was then restarted with a drop ball despite the stoppage being instigated due to a foul on a Boston player.  How cynical can you get?

Hall attacks down the left.

Newsham and Ben Fairclough were brought on to replace Hall and Lee as Boston went on the offensive.  Newsham was soon involved when he broke through and unselfishly set-up Sleath; for once the midfielder somehow managed to bang over when it was easier to score.  The second half also saw the poor-penalty-decisions tally increase, Boston saw yet another appeal for handball turned down while a Bay striker fell over theatrically seeing nothing given.  Surely there should be some consistency, either it was a pen. or another booking for simulation?

The Bay 'keeper kept them in the game, making a fantastic save as United searched for an equaliser.  The search was made significantly easier when, in what can only be described as a disgraceful bout of petulance, the Bay captain was sent off for swearing and hurling abuse at children sat in the main stand.  The horrendous excuse for a person then took as much time as possible walking slowly across the pitch.  It was this, along with the rest of Colwyn's time wasting which was to cost them.  Boston were knocking at the door and, with Bay down to nine as the still bleeding centre-back was forced off yet again, Milnes struck a beauty into the top corner.  The thousand plus Boston supporters were universally delighted with a point even though the Pilgrims clearly deserved all three.

The drama for the day didn't end there though.  The disgraced Bay captain thought it would be a wonderful idea to improve his reputation further by camping out in the referee's room to remonstrate with the, admittedly poor, official.  There were also reliable reports of the Bay party being quickly ushered out of the Pilgrim Lounge after the game by stewards and police.  The colossally unprofessional comments from both the official Colwyn Bay twitter account, who wasn't even there, and the comments of their players previously noted all go some way to making this astonishing story believable.  With all these things considered Colwyn Bay must go down as one of the least professional clubs I have ever seen, especially at this level.

Next up: Solihull Moors 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.

Six. Five. Oh.

Histon vs Boston United

This weekend saw a rare trip south for the Pilgrims.  These trips are usually characterised by expensive beer and irritating saven accents commenting about "weird people asking for gravy on their chips", anyone would think that people from the little village of Histon had never been north of Watford Gap.  I've never really liked trips south, which considering I've lived there for several years is a bit odd, but this one had something a little bit special to make up for the £3.50 beers.  This match saw the cementing of a legend in the history books as Paul Bastock made his 650th appearance for Boston United in his two spells since originally signing in 1992.  The man surely qualifies for the accolade of Pilgrims' cult hero.  Hopefully he'd have a better chance to celebrate than he did last week when his heroics limited Altrincham to only six goals!

The travelling fans make some noise.

Boston bolstered the shaky defence of the last match by the addition of Canoville and White in place of Fairclough and Austin.  The lacklustre attack was also spruced up by the addition of Lee for Burrow up front and Newsham, Sleath and Semple were started in the middle of the park in place of the other Fairclough, Hall and Wilkinson.  The team looked to have a much better balance than the previous week but this didn't stop normal service being resumed as United conceded on eight minutes.  Sparkes running clean past White and putting the ball past United's legendary 'keeper.  Here we go again...

There's a steward in the sticks...

... Or not.  The Pilgrims looked much better than last week and were level a further eight minutes later when 'tap-in' Newsham converted a harshly given penalty for handball in the box.  The game struggled to get going with both sides having the odd chance.  Newsham, unlucky not to score a second as the ball bounced off him and flew narrowly wide leaving the teams going into the break level-pegging.

The second-half saw a much more dominant performance from the Pilgrims.  Mulready smashed one over and Newsham failed to convert another quality cross from a much improved Semple.  Semple was a huge threat from the Boston wing, his crosses and free-kicks supplying the ammunition to Armstrong and Newsham but it was Jelleyman supplying Sleath which put Boston ahead.  The warning signs were there for Histon as Jelleyman put the ball onto Gaffer Lee's head, who nodded down for Sleath hammer wide; minutes later Jelleyman put Sleath through directly and he finished neatly.

The game was out of Histon's reach five minutes later.  Lee headed the first cross from Semple wide but made no mistake with the second moments later as he knocked the ball home, just, to put the game out of reach.  Lee had two more chances to convert with his head before subbing himself off and Semple missed the chance to top off a superb attacking performance with a 25 yarder just over.

The new kit get's its first outing.

As Boston made changes, Histon managed their only chance of the half but couldn't test Bazza on what was a quiet 650th appearance; Holman making a right hash of his shot.  I thought Stainfield had put away Boston's fourth, the official site says it was Burrow but in the end it was neither as the referee ruled it out for some imaginary foul as far as I can tell.  White took the final chance of a dominant Pilgrims outing, heading wide.

Much better from United, not that it was possible to be much worse!  Hopefully the better balance can be maintained and built on throughout the remainder of the season.

Next-up: Hopefully a struggling Workington side at York St.