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Spotlight on Boston Town Football Club

Reports from the 2005-2006 season at Tattershall Road

THE POACHERS

SEASON NOW COMPLETE
Saturday April 22, 2006 (UCL)
Boston Town	2	Stotfold	1
Bull 21 Nuttell 90		Thomas 23 (pen)
Boston Town signed off their 2005-2006 United Counties League season with an impressive victory over Stotfold in what was a surprisingly combative encounter for one where neither side had too much to play for. In the end, it was the Poachers who came out on top to guarantee themselves sixth place in the final Premier Division standings. In the early stages both sides had an even share of possession. Boston went close when Ross Don-Duncan rattled the bar with a 25-yard shot. But in the 21^st minute Town went ahead when Jon Rowan delivered a cross for Gary Bull to rise and head home his 33^rd goal of a productive campaign — but surprisingly his first since March 11. Two minutes later, though, Stotfold answered and Jay Thomas blasted home a penalty, awarded after a handball offence by Liam Parker. Boston had the better of the second half with Paul Goodhand (twice) and Matt Stares both going close. Bull also had two firm efforts well saved by Stotfold keeper Nigel Blower. In reply, visiting winger Paul Harrington looked dangerous but was twice guilty of wayward finishing. In the 85^th minute Stotfold scorer Thomas was sent off for kicking out at Rowan. And the in stoppage time Boston got their winner when Bull cut in from the left and fed a ball in for Micky Nuttell to guide into the net. Poachers: Buttery, Parker, Basker, Don-Duncan (Nuttell 73), Baker, Reeson (Stares 55), Brader (Lawrence 66), Goodhand, Rowan, Bull, Price.
Monday April 17, 2006 (UCL)
Boston Town	2	Holbeach United	0
Basker 29 Goodhand 32
Boston avenged their heaviest defeat of the season when two first half goals saw them to extend their unbeaten run to five matches—and continue an impressive home sequence which now stands at seven wins and two draws in UCL outings at Tattershall Road since the turn of the new year with four successive clean sheets now as an added bonus. In the 29^th minute Town broke the deadlock. Basker burst down the left before cutting inside and testing Kevin Cross with a firm strike. The United keeper, though, could only parry the ball back into the same player’s path and he knocked it into the net. Three minutes later the Poachers were awarded an edge-of-the-box free-kick. And as soon as the referee had marked out the required 10 yards for the defensive wall, Goodhand curled the ball beyond an unsighted Cross. After the break Boston kept up the tempo. But Holbeach also raised their game, notably going closest when Ian Dunn saw a shot smack down off the underside of the home bar before being scrambled away. Despite further half chances in both goalmouths, there was no addition to the scoreline. Poachers: Buttery, Parker, Basker, Don-Duncan (Lawrence 78), Baker, Reeson, Brader, Goodhand, Rowan, Bull, Price. Subs (not used): Thompson, Stares.
Saturday April 15, 2006 (UCL)
Woodford United	1	Boston Town	1
Pearman 65		Goodhand 61
Paul Goodhand’s 25^th goal of the season earned Boston Town a fully merited share of the UCL spoils away to championship-chasing Woodford. The result kept the Poachers on target for a top six finish in the Premier Division and toppled Woodford off pole position with their nearest rivals Potton climbing above them on the back of victory in their game. This match was an excellent advert for UCL football with both sides producing good performances. Woodford opened brightly and won an eighth minute penalty when Collins was adjudged to have knocked over Nicky Gordon. But Paul Buttery dived full length to expertly save former Boston United full-back Jason Burnham’s spot-kick. Boston had to work hard to contain a home strike force of Gordon and Russell Dunkley (61 goals between them) but they achieved the feat with tremendous application, not least with a couple of good saves by Buttery. And on the counter attack Jon Rowan and Gary Bull always kept the home rearguard on their toes. Boston went ahead on 61 minutes when Goodhand delivered a low free-kick into the area. Woodford failed to fully clear the danger and the ball broke back to the edge of the box where the Town midfielder followed up to fire low into the net. But Boston’s joy was short-lived as Woodford levelled four minutes later — Craig Pearman steering in at the far post from a right wing cross. Late on Boston might have snatched maximum spoils but Rowan saw two good efforts parried by the keeper, the loose ball just evading Town players looking to follow up. But overall, a point each was a fair outcome. Poachers: Buttery, Parker, Basker, Don-Duncan, Baker, Collins, Brader, Goodhand, Rowan, Bull, Price. Subs (not used): Stares, Reeson, N Lovelace.
Saturday April 8, 2006 (UCL)
Boston Town	1	Yaxley	0
Rowan 22
Striker Jon Rowan was Boston Town’s match winner with his eighth goal since joining the Tattershall Road outfit. On a day when the top billing suggested the encounter would be all about the UCL Premier Division’s top scorers — Gary Bull (Boston, 32 goals) and Mark Paul (Yaxley, 39 goals, albeit surprisingly starting on the subs’ bench) — it was Rowan whose exploits overshadowed the pair. His goal on 22 minutes cemented Town’s grip on a top six position and kept alive outside hopes of a possible top four finish. The all-important strike came when a forward punt by Ross Don-Duncan had Yaxley keeper Lee Jordan hesitating and Rowan nipped in to slot into a vacant net. In the second half Bull missed out in a straight confrontation with Jordan, two good crosses from Carl Basker eluded Town’s front men and Rowan rattled another effort against the bar. Later on Yaxley tried to respond with Paul brought on to partner ex-Rushden attacker Dale Watkins. But Shaun Baker and Matt Price combined well with 20-year-old debutant keeper Karl Stinchcomb (from RAF Coningsby) — the seventh different goalie used by Town this term — to ensure a third straight home clean sheet. Poachers: Stinchcomb, Stares (N Reeson 78), Basker, Don-Duncan, Baker, Collins (Nuttell 68), Brader (Parker 45), Goodhand, Rowan, Bull, Price.
Saturday April 1, 2006 (UCL)
Stotfold	1	Boston Town	1
McIlroy 44		Rowan 27
Boston Town earned another away-day UCL Premier Division point. But in truth, it should have been a greater return. The Poachers produced a fine display in an encounter plagued by a troublesome swirling wind. In the first half, Town went close on several occasions with efforts from Carl Basker, a Paul Goodhand free-kick and two openings for Gary Bull. But each time either off-target finishes or good saves by Nigel Blower kept Town at bay. In addition, the Poachers had strong calls for a penalty turned down when Goodhand appeared to be fouled. But they went ahead on 27 minutes with a forceful shot from distance by Jon Rowan. However, just before the interval Dean McIlroy equalised from a 20-yard free-kick. In the second half, Boston again held the upper hand and with Bull twice going close. Stotfold’s only reply was an effort from Neil Talbot which Paul Buttery tipped over the bar. Poachers: Buttery, Stares, Basker, Don-Duncan, Baker, Collins, Goodhand, Rowan, Nuttell, Bull, Price. Subs (not used): Lawrence, Brader.
Saturday March 25, 2006 (UCL)
Boston Town	1	Buckingham Town	0
Goodhand 63
Boston Town bounced back to winning ways after two straight away losses when they conquered Buckingham by a slender margin—but with the major plus point of a welcome clean sheet into the bargain. Hero of the hour against Buckingham was midfielder Paul Goodhand whose second half strike (his 24^th goal of the season) ultimately proved the difference between the sides in a keenly-contested UCL Premier Division encounter. His 63^rd minute goal was fired in directly from a 20 –yard free-kick, the player expertly curling the ball around the visitors’ defensive wall. Boston had enjoyed arguably the better of a generally tight first half, their best moments seeing Buckingham keeper Will Gourlay save well from a Gary Bull shot and an awkward back-header from his own defender Andy Prescott. After the break, the tempo was lifted. And after going ahead, the Poachers might have put victory beyond doubt with both Jon Rowan, Bull and Micky Nuttell all missing fairly good chances. Buckingham threatened a response later on, but their best moment ended with a Stuart Blaik header being well saved by Paul Buttery. Poachers: Buttery, Stares, N Reeson (Basker 46), Don-Duncan, Baker, Rowan, Collins, Goodhand, Nuttell, Bull, Price. Subs (not used): Thompson, Brader.
Tuesday March 21, 2006 (UCL)
Yaxley	2	Boston Town	0
Acton 24 Challinor 41
Striker Jon Rowan and midfielder Ross Don-Duncan were sent off in the closing stages as Boston Town tumbled to a two-goal reverse away to Yaxley. The pair got their marching orders in a controversial final 10 minutes of an encounter where the Poachers were already trailing to a 24th minute goal by Simon Acton and a second home strike four minutes before the break via Richard Challinor. Town battled hard to try and retrieve the interval deficit. But once reduced to nine men, their challenge faded as they drew a scoring blank for the second match in a row and only the fourth time in UCL matches this term. However, it wasn’t for lack of effort as two efforts rattled back off the Yaxley goal frame, frustratingly following on from a fifth minute shot by Paul Goodhand which also rebounded off a post. The result, though, did nothing to lift Town’s prospects of a top five finish with the likes of Yaxley and St Neots well placed beneath them — only a few points behind but each with a clutch of games in hand. Poachers: Buttery, Stares, Basker, Don-Duncan, Baker, Nuttell, Lawrence (N Reeson 61), Goodhand, Rowan, Bull, Price. Subs (not used): Collins, Thompson.
Saturday March 18, 2006 (UCL)
Northampton Spencer	1	Boston Town	0
Frost 38
Boston Town slipped to their 10^th UCL defeat of the season when losing by a solitary goal away to fellow high-flyers Northampton Spencer. The home club secured a 1-0 win courtesy of Darren Frost’s 23^rd goal of the season netted in the 38^th minute with a run at goal and chip over the advancing Paul Buttery. The Poachers battled hard to try and get back into the match but were unable to turn a few chances into an equaliser, the best of which saw Paul Goodhand see a fierce shot well saved by home keeper Wayne Hamill. It was only the third time this season that Town had failed to score in a UCL fixture. The result left them in fifth place in the table and gave Spencer a degree of revenge for a 5-1 beating at Tattershall Road earlier in the campaign. Poachers: Buttery, Stares, Basker, Don-Duncan, Baker, Nuttell, Brader, Goodhand, Rowan (N Lovelace 68), Bull, Price. Sub (not used): Collins.
Saturday March 11, 2006 (UCL)
Boston Town	4	St Ives Town	0
Goodhand 10, 39 Rowan 36 Bull 89
Goal-happy Boston Town kept up their recent UCL scoring spree by thumping St Ives at Tattershall Road. By virtue of their sizeable victory margin, the Poachers took their goal tally from their last three Premier Division matches to 13. Midfielder Paul Goodhand got the Poachers’ victory charge rolling in the 10^th minute with a tidy finish. After that Boston created several untaken chances while visiting keeper Aaron Bannie also made a trio of fine saves. Eventually, Boston put the destiny of the points beyond doubt with two more goals just before the break. First, on 36 minutes Jon Rowan hit the target when heading in from a Gary Bull cross and three minutes later Goodhand doubled his personal return, scoring direct from an inswinging corner. Boston kept up their pressure and work rate after the break and restricted their rivals to few clear openings. At the other end, Boston — despite having to reshuffle due to three injuries — put a cap on a fine result when the prolific Bull netted in the final minute when rounding off good build-up work by Goodhand. Poachers: N Maddison, Stares, Basker (Thompson 56), Don-Duncan, Baker, Collins (Lawrence 50), Brader (Nuttell 60), Goodhand, Rowan, Bull, Price. Sub (not used): Reeson.
Saturday March 4, 2006 (UCL)
Cogenhoe United	4	Boston Town	4
D Collins 2, 33, 85 Diggin 87		N Collins 15 Bull 75 Rowan 83 Goodhand 89
Five goals in the final 15 minutes gave a dramatic twist to this meeting of fourth versus fifth placed teams. And after the late scoring spree honours ended even with both sides claiming a point apiece from what was a real UCL Premier Division see-saw thriller. Darren Collins put Cogenhoe ahead on two minutes only for Town namesake Nathan Collins to level on the quarter-hour mark. Darren Collins, though, restored the home advantage before the break. It wasn’t until the 75^th minute that Gary Bull pulled Boston level. And then the mayhem set in. Jon Rowan put the Poachers ahead for the first time only for Darren Collins to complete his treble and then Steve Diggin netted to tip the scales back in the favour of the home side. But in the 89^th minute Paul Goodhand rescued Boston with a last-gasp free-kick 20-yard equaliser. Poachers: Maddison, Don-Duncan, Basker, Stares, Baker (Thompson 84), Collins, Brader (Nuttell 85), Goodhand, Rowan, Bull, Price.
Tuesday February 28, 2006 (Lincs Senior A Cup semi-final)
Boston Town	1	Bourne Town	3
Bull 25		Gray 3, 77 Horwood 9
Boston Town missed out on a place in the final of the Lincolnshire Senior A Cup when tumbled to UCL rivals Bourne Town on a bitterly cold night at Tattershall Road. The visitors made a blistering start with fast and lively movement in the opening stages. And they caught the Poachers with a brace of early goals. After just three minutes Chris Gray drilled in from the edge of the box and six minutes later one-time Boston player Tommy Horwood found himself unmarked when rising to meet a free-kick from the left and his header flew past Nick Maddison. Boston gradually got to grips with proceedings and halved the deficit in the 25^th minute when Micky Nuttell produced some good work in controlling a lofted free-kick and neatly setting up strike partner Gary Bull for his 30^th goal in all competitions this term as he fired past ex-Poachers’ custodian Martyn Lakin. Boston tried to find a way back into the tie in the second half and almost drew level through Nathan Collins. But their fate was sealed in the 77^th minute when Gray toe-poked in from a corner. Poachers: Maddison, Thompson (Harris 78), Basker, Collins, Baker (Brooks 86), Don-Duncan, Brader, Goodhand, Nuttell, Bull, Price. Sub (not used): Cade.
Saturday February 25, 2006 (UCL)
Boston Town	5	Northampton Spencer	1
Bull 19, 90 (pen) Rowan 70, 78 Goodhand 86		Coleman 41 (pen)
Boston Town rattled up their biggest home UCL victory of the season — a result that dented Spencer’s title aspirations. But it wasn’t until 20 minutes from time that the encounter fully tilted in favour of the Poachers. Up to that point, the match had been closely contested, arguably with the visitors having the better of exchanges. The afternoon’s first goal came in the 19^th minute when, in a swirling wind, Jon Rowan lofted a 35-yard effort towards the Spencer goal. The visiting keeper back-pedalled but could only tip the ball onto his own bar, allowing Gary Bull a simple tap-in as he followed up to meet the bounce-down. Spencer hit back with plenty of neat play. But Boston, with defender Shaun Baker in outstanding form, resisted until the 41^st minute when Scott Coleman converted a penalty after Nathan Collins had tugged back Adam Wigley. After the break, the visitors kept up a good tempo but Boston held on before regaining the lead on 70 minutes when Rowan netted with a header from a Bull left wing cross. Eight minutes later Rowan scored again when firing in from 12 yards after build-up work by Bull and Paul Goodhand. The latter got on the scoresheet in the 86^th minute when rounding the keeper to slot in after superb creative inter-play involving Bull, Ross Don-Duncan and Micky Nuttell. The scoring was completed in the final minute when Bull scored from the spot after he had been upended by Daniel Shilterns. Poachers: Buttery, Thompson, Basker (Reeson 75), Collins (Nuttell 84), Baker, Don-Duncan, Brader (Lawrence 81), Goodhand, Rowan, Bull, Price.
Saturday February 18, 2006 (UCL)
Boston Town	1	Woodford United	1
Bull 43 (pen)		Gordon 68
Boston Town rose to the challenge of tackling high-riding and in-form opposition — and almost managed to dent Woodford’s Premier Division championship quest with a victory. Creditably the Poachers’ defence stood up well throughout in the face of a powerful rival side while in attack, the Poachers had a few decent moments as well, notably with a couple of first half near misses for Paul Goodhand and Jon Rowan. Woodford never really threatened due in no small measure to Boston’s defensive work with Matt Price a particular back line star. The Poachers, though, broke through in the 43^rd minute when Goodhand got into the area before being bundled over by Ben Milner. And top scorer Gary Bull stepped up to fired in his 25^th league goal of the season with a tidily-converted spot-kick. Woodford rallied somewhat in the second half and had the lion’s share of possession. But still they kept foundering on Town’s defensive resolve. And they might even have slipped two goals adrift when Shaun Baker got on the end of a right wing set-piece only to volley over from close range. Woodford benefited from than moment of fortune and grabbed a 68^th minute equaliser when Nicky Gordon burst through, swerved past Baker and dispatched his 19th goal of the campaign past Paul Buttery who was unable to save as he had done in two instances earlier on. Poachers: Buttery, Thompson (Brooks 78), Price, Jones, Baker, Don-Duncan, Brader, Goodhand, Rowan, Bull, Lawrence. Subs (not used): Harris, N Reeson.
Saturday February 11, 2006 (UCL)
St Neots	4	Boston Town	1
Kuhne 27, 38, 57 Hoggett 78		Goodhand 63
Boston Town slipped further out of direct United Counties League championship reckoning with this away-day loss against St Neots. The result left the Poachers in fifth spot and well adrift of table-topping Potton in the Premier Division points rankings. It was also Town’s first loss of 2006. Despite creating a couple of decent openings early on, Boston fell behind in the 27^th minute when home player-manager Steve Kuhne flicked in a cross from the left. Eleven minutes later the same player was on target with a low drive and he completed his hat-trick 12 minutes into the second half with another good finish. Boston got back into the game with a sweetly-struck shot direct from a 20-yard free-kick by Paul Goodhand. But any hopes of a recovery were dashed in the 78^th minute when John Hoggett netted with a 15-yard shot to put the issue beyond all doubt. Poachers: Buttery, Thompson (Brooks 84), Basker (Don-Duncan 84), Stares (Harris 84), Baker, Collins, Brader, Goodhand, Rowan, Bull, Price.
Saturday February 4, 2006 (UCL)
Boston Town	4	Newport Pagnell	1
Bull 7, 43 Rowan 17 Goodhand 19		Malkern 15
This match was all done and dusted by half-time. Boston Town turned on the style to overwhelm opponents Newport Pagnell inside the first 45 minutes. The Poachers went ahead in the seventh minute when Gary Bull rounded off fine build-up work by James Brader and Paul Goodhand. Pagnell equalised in the 15^th minute when Scott Malkern netted via a deflected 20-yard free-kick. But the Poachers answered decisively. In the 17^th minute Jon Rowan got on the end of a right wing cross by Goodhand to score with a firm header. And two minutes later Goodhand slotted in calmly to round off good play by Carl Basker. Two minutes before the break, Bull netted again when turning the ball in after Rowan had cleverly chipped into the visitors’ area following good work down the right by Brader. After the break, the visitors tried to rally and raised their game, restricted Boston to few clear openings. But by that stage all the damage had been done as Town toasted a third straight UCL victory. Poachers: R Lovelace, Thompson, Basker, Stares (Brooks 78), Baker, Collins, Brader (Lawrence 75), Goodhand, Rowan, Bull, Price. Sub (not used): Don-Duncan.
Saturday January 28, 2006 (UCL)
St Ives Town	1	Boston Town	3
D’Avillar 9		Goodhand 30, Bull 33 (pen) Rowan 70
Boston Town fought back from an early deficit to chalk up back-to-back UCL wins. In the process, the Poachers maintained a grip on fifth place in the Premier Division table. Victory away to St Ives was achieved despite Town having fallen behind to a ninth minute goal from home player Anton D’Avillar. Gradually, the Poachers recovered their composure and drew level on the half-hour with Paul Goodhand finding the net from a Carl Basker cross for his 15^th competitive goal of the campaign. Three minutes later, ace striker Gary Bull was on target for the fourth match in succession with a penalty to put Boston ahead after keeper Aaron Bannie fouled James Brader. From that point, the visitors remained a composed unit and sealed victory when recent signing Jon Rowan bagged his first goal in Town colours 20 minutes from time, netting from good build-up play by Bull. Poachers: Buttery, Thompson, Basker, Stares, Baker, Don-Duncan (Brooks 72), Brader (Lawrence 46), Goodhand, Rowan, Bull, Price. Sub (not used): Harris.
Saturday January 21, 2006 (UCL)
Boston Town	1	Ford Sports	0
Bull 34 (pen)
Gary Bull’s 23^rd goal of the season in all competitions helped Boston Town to pick up a welcome three-point haul at the expense of Ford Sports. Bull was on target from the penalty spot in the 34^th minute to settle a competitive encounter in which the Poachers gave a debut to new strike signing Jon Rowan — a player brought in to bolster front line options with the likes of Danny Matson, Mick Nuttell, Leigh Taylor and Dave Scotney all on the injured list. Boston generally had the upper hand in most areas and Rowan saw an early headed goal ruled out. Bull’s breakthrough goal came just after the half-hour mark and was followed either side of the break by additional chances for Boston to have made the victory margin more decisive. But a lack of further clinical finishing let the home side down. Poachers: Buttery, Thompson, Price, Stares, S Baker, Collins, Brader (Lawrence 78), Goodhand, Rowan, Bull, Basker (Brooks 72). Sub (not used): Jones.
Saturday January 7, 2006 (UCL)
Boston Town	2	Cogenhoe United	2
Basker 29 Bull 79		Collins 63, 83
Boston Town had to settle for a share of the points when playing host to reigning UCL Premier Division champions Cogenhoe. The Poachers started well despite having a reshuffled pack with key players absent through injury and illness. And back-to-fitness Carl Basker gave them the lead on 29 minutes with a cracking long range drive. After that, clear chances were somewhat limited at both ends. After the break, Town still looked fairly comfortable, but on 63 minutes veteran striker Darren Collins fired the visitors level. For a spell, Town had to weather some sustained pressure, but survived thanks to some important saves by Paul Buttery. The home side responded well in the later stages and Gary Bull got on the end of a Basker cross to fire in a shot that entered the Cogenhoe net via defender Stuart Smeathers. But in the 83^rd minute the bustling figure of Collins was unmarked and he grabbed Cogenhoe’s second equaliser to ensure the match finished all-square. Poachers: Buttery, Brader (Houghton 68), Price, Stares, Collins, Don-Duncan, Goodhand, Taylor (Lawrence 30), Bull, Basker (Lovelace 85), S Baker.
Monday January 2, 2006 (UCL)
Raunds Town	1	Boston Town	1
Ashby 51		S Baker 71
Boston Town put their festive losing woes behind them with a fine performance away to Raunds. And on the balance of play they arguably deserved more than just a share of the points — not least because of being denied by the goal frame on four occasions, once with a Gary Bull header in the first half and then three times in quick succession midway through the second period. The final outcome, though, was a mirror image of the result three weeks earlier when the sides met in the reverse fixture at Tattershall Road. To add to the similarity factor, the Poachers goal also came from defender Shaun Baker who prodded in after 71 minutes following a Matt Stares cross. That effort cancelled out the game’s breakthrough goal in the 51^st minute when Ryan Nash flighted over a free-kick and Nick Ashby clipped the ball beyond Nick Maddison. In the dying stages, Boston almost snatched victory when Dave Scotney was only a whisker away from converting a Bull centre. Poachers: N Maddison, Brader (Scotney 85), Price, Thompson, S Baker, Colins, Don-Duncan, Goodhand, Taylor, Bull, Stares. Subs (not used): Jones, Brooks.
Monday December 26, 2005 (UCL)
Holbeach United	6	Boston Town	0
Keeble 13 Cairns 29 Fielding 37, 54 S Barnes 58 Mitchell 88
Boston Town’s festive double bill turned into a seasonal nightmare when they crashed to a six-goal defeat away to county rivals Holbeach in a UCL Premier Division match which saw keeper Nick Maddison red-carded after half-an-hour for handling outside his own area. With Town already 1-0 down, defender Shaun Baker took over between the sticks but from thereon in, the Poachers’ plight hit a downward spiral. The goals against tally started on 13 minutes when Shaun Keeble headed in. Danny Cairns netted number two from the free-kick resulting from Maddison’s dismissal and before half-time Tom Fielding added a third. Boston best opening half efforts came from off-target shots by Mick Nuttell and Gary Bull while a Paul Goodhand effort tested keeper Kevin Cross. After the break, Holbeach netted again through Fielding (54 minutes) and Steve Barnes (58). To their credit, Boston battled hard to try and find a consolation goal and all three substitutes were utilised, not least to provide fresh legs and safeguard key players already cautioned in a fiery encounter full of rash challenges. Boston’s cause was not helped when Nuttell limped off, leaving the Poachers with just nine men. Creditably they kept plugging on but conceded a sixth in the 88^th minute through Neil Mitchell. Poachers: N Maddison, Scotney (Taylor 65), Price, Jones (Thompson 55), S Baker, Collins, Don-Duncan (Brooks 55), Goodhand, Nuttell, Bull, Stares.
Friday December 23, 2005 (UCL)
Boston Town	1	Stewart & Lloyds Corby	2
Goodhand 7		Garvie 23 Caswell 27
Defeat at the hand of Stewart and Lloyds left Boston Town further adrift of the UCL Premier division title race pace. The Poachers went ahead in the seventh minute when a low free-kick on the left from Paul Goodhand eluded attackers and defenders alike and crept into the far corner of the net. But the visitors hit back by cashing in on two moments of home defensive uncertainty. First Lee Garvie rode a couple of challenges before blasting in a 23^rd minute equaliser. And four minutes later Shaun Baker and keeper Paul Buttery dithered over who ought to make a routine clearance and Chris Caswell took the decision away from the pair by nipping in and slotting into an unguarded net. After that tempers became frayed and, amid a plethora of bookings, home defender Kris Jones saw two yellows add up to a red for two somewhat rash challenges. To be fair, Boston rolled up their sleeves despite a one-man deficiency and might have levelled on several occasions. First James Brader fired over in the first half and then after the break the same player saw a shot touched onto a post and away by keeper Richard Lavin. Later on, Micky Nuttell missed out with a downward header while Nathan Collins hit a post in the dying stages. And in stoppage time substitute Dave Scotney looked to be the victim of a crunching foul, but the referee waved away heated penalty appeals to leave Town ruing key lapses and an inability to turn possession into goals. Poachers: Buttery, Brader, Price, Jones, S Baker (Scotney 84), Collins (Taylor 90), Don-Duncan, Goodhand, Nuttell, Bull, Stares. Subs (not used): Brooks, N Maddison (gk).
Saturday December 17, 2005 (UCL)
Boston Town	1	Raunds Town	1
S Baker 70		Hancock 73
Boston Town had to settle for a second successive share of the UCL spoils when they entertained improving Raunds. The Premier Division match saw the visitors generally hold the upper hand in the first half, albeit with only a few genuinely clear-cut chances created at either end. After the break, Boston got their act together and exerted some useful spells of pressure on their visitors’ back line. They had cause to curse their luck on two occasions when denied by the bar and post. In addition, Raunds keeper Michael Freeman enjoyed an excellent afternoon with a string of important saves. But he was unable to prevent the Poachers from going in front on 70 minutes when Shaun Baker rose to head in a Matt Price corner to register his fourth goal of the season. Boston’s joy, though, was short-lived as Adam Hancock was on hand to prod in from close range to level the scores after a long range shot from a partially-cleared corner bounced down off the underside of the Boston bar. The draw left Boston in second place in the table, five points behind Potton, but now with only one game in hand. Poachers: Buttery, Brader, Stares, Jones, S Baker, Collins, Don-Duncan (Scotney 89), Goodhand, Nuttell, Bull, Price. Subs (not used): Taylor, Brooks.
Saturday December 10, 2005 (UCL)
Potton United	1	Boston Town	1
Carter 80		Goodhand 63
Paul Goodhand’s 13^th goal of the season helped to ensure Boston Town didn’t lose any ground on United Counties League top-of-the-tree team Potton. The Poachers prised a valuable point from a physical encounter to consolidate second spot in the Premier Division table. The first half was largely a tale of even exchanges with neither side able to get the upper hand. But on 63 minutes Goodhand seized possession just inside the Potton half, ran forward, beat three defenders and cleverly lobbed over the advancing keeper. Boston then had to resist some moments of home pressure. And 10 minutes from time, a skimming angled shot from Andy Carter somehow evaded a clutch of players in the Town area and ended up in the far corner on deputy keeper Nick Maddison’s net. He was playing in place of knee injury victim Paul Buttery and turned in a good display in arguably Boston’s most testing encounter of the season so far. Poachers: N Maddison, Thompson (Brader 65), Price, Jones, S Baker, Collins, Don-Duncan, Goodhand, Nuttell, Bull, Stares. Subs (not used): Scotney, Taylor, N Lovelace.