www.bostonbuzz.co.uk

The prime platform for Boston and District sports news

Spotlight on Boston Town Football Club

Reports from the 2006-2007 season at Tattershall Road

THE POACHERS

Boston Town home page	Football home page			Boston Buzz home page
SEASON NOW ENDED
Saturday April 28, 2007 (UCL)
Boston Town		3	Raunds Town		2
Bull 27, 75 (pen) Scotney 32			Frid 62 Cottage 73
Two more goals from prolific front man Gary Bull helped Boston Town to sign off the season with an 11^th straight UCL victory and 13^th in all competitions during an all-conquering run-in to the conclusion of the campaign. His double feat went a long way towards ensuring that the Poachers ended up — somewhat frustratingly — with an all-time club record UCL points tally of 95 but still two adrift of champions Deeping (1-0 losers at Newport Pagnell). After a somewhat tepid first phase to the game, where neither side really mustered a serious goal threat, it was Boston who gradually seized the initiative with Bull and John Rowan both seeing efforts fly wide while visiting keeper Chris Jones did well to smother at bull’s feet after the free-scoring front man had been played in by team-mate Dave Scotney. Bull opened the scoring against a Raunds side (who went on to finish with just nine men) after 27 minutes. Paul Goodhand was fouled on the edge of the area and while the visitors were organising their defensive wall, Bull showed speed of though to fire a quick free-kick beyond the ill-prepared Jones. Five minutes into the second half Dave Scotney added a second when he poked home after good build-up play down the right by Matt Stares and Bull. At this stage Boston looked set to canter to maximum spoils. However, Raunds rallied and Danny Frid reduced the arrears after 62 minutes. Matt Curtis was given oodles of room down the flank before delivering a pass through for his team-mate to slot past Bart Griemink. Boston didn’t learn from that defensive lapse and on 73 minutes the score became 2-2. Jake Cottage raced through onto a long pass and fired in their equaliser to leave the Poachers somewhat shaken. But two minutes later came the flashpoint incident that arguably settled proceedings. Laszlo Lovas burst into the home area where he tumbled under a challenge by Jones. The Raunds keeper appeared incensed with the referee’s decision to award a spot-kick and earned a red card for seemingly shoving the match official. Colleague Dave Ridgway expressed his opinions on the matter and was also dismissed. After a lengthy delay, Lee Dorrington donned the keeper’s jersey but was unable to prevent Bull from converting his 20^th penalty of the season which yielded a personal tally of 57 league and cup goals. The goal restored Boston’s lead but even against nine men, the Poachers still had to weather a couple of anxious moments. However, with defender Neal Spafford again in imperious form, the home side managed to see things through to a successful conclusion for Bob Don-Duncan’s team whose remarkable unblemished record over the final few weeks will almost certainly yield another manager of the month accolade for Town’s long-serving boss. Poachers: Griemink, Don-Duncan, Spafford, Smith (Brader 71), Baker (Brooks 83), Rowan, Lovas, Goodhand, Scotney (Pinner 71), Bull, Stares. Sub (not used): N Lovelace.
Saturday April 21, 2007 (UCL)
Stotfold		2	Boston Town		3
Drury 66 Molloy 86			Scotney 44 Goodhand 56 Bull 71
Boston Town signed off their away UCL Premier Division campaign with a fine 3-2 away success against Stotfold. The win — Boston’s 10^th league success in a row and 12^th in all competitions — enabled the Poachers to add to their best-ever points return in the league. It further cemented runners-up position in the table but leaves them five adrift of already-crowned champions Deeping with just one more game each before the campaign concludes. For the encounter, Poachers’ boss Bon Don-Duncan rang a few changes with several established senior squad members being unavailable. He introduced reserve defender Jack Whelbourn and handed veteran front man Dave Scotney a further chance to add to his multi-hundred UCL career goal tally while keeper Stephen Choppen made his second start in Town colours. The first half was generally a nip-and-tuck affair with neither side really creating much in the way of scoring opportunities, although John Rowan and Laszlo Lovas missed half-chances in tandem with Ricky Case drilling off-target for the home side. But just as the interval approached, Boston went ahead. A surging run by Rowan caught the hosts on the back foot. He fed a ball inside to Bull who in turn unselfishly played in Scotney who squeezed a shot past home keeper Nigel Blower. Town looked more purposeful after the interval and doubled their lead on 56 minutes — Paul Goodhand finding space down the left before cutting inside and steering a shot beyond Blower’s reach. Boston looked in control and Blower had to save well from further efforts by Goodhand and Rowan. And the home side clawed their way back into contention on 66 minutes when Dave Drury fired a free-kick against the visitors’ wall before snapping up the rebound and drilling in through a crowd of players. Boston, though, hit back and Bull grabbed his 55^th goal of the season. His initial attempted lob over Blower was thwarted by the keeper. But the ball ran loose and Bull poked home at the second attempt. With time running out Stotfold managed to cut the deficit again on 86 minutes when Shaun Molloy netted from 12 yards to set up a few uncomfortable minutes for Boston. But the visitors hung on to land the victory spoils. Poachers: Choppen, N Lovelace, Spafford, Whelbourn (N Collins 74), Baker, Rowan, Goodhand, Lovas, Scotney, Bull, Stares. Sub (not used): Don-Duncan.
Wednesday April 18, 2007 (UCL Cup final)
Potton United		2	Boston Town		2
B Donnelly 55 Cottenden 116			Bull 17, 98 (pen)
Boston Town win 4-2 on penalties (after extra time, 90 minutes score 1-1, match played at Blackstones FC)
Boston Town celebrated silverware success on a night when fearsome front man Gary Bull took his prolific strike record to a remarkable 54 goals for the season. After 120 gruelling minutes plus the lottery of a penalty shoot-out, the Poachers hoisted aloft the United Counties League Cup with a conquest of Potton United. Victory gave Boston revenge for two earlier league losses against their opponents, but they had to show great resolve having twice seen a lead disappear. The first half saw both sides battle hard to seize the initiative with Potton relying heavily on long-ball tactics to try to capitalise on the speed of nippy striker Brett Donnelly while the Poachers tried to work the ball forward more cohesively. It made for an intriguing, rather than spectacular opening first 45 minutes, but Boston were able to take a 1-0 lead into the break courtesy of Bull’s amazing strike. It came on 17 minutes and stemmed from Jamie Smith winning possession in midfield. He fed the ball forward to Micky Nuttell who quickly laid a pass to Bull. With his back to goal, the prolific front man flicked the ball up, swivelled and delivered a stunning venomous 35-yarder high past keeper Brad Gillham. Potton replied with a couple of headed chances for Steve Kuhn and Brett Donnelly, but each time Town keeper Bart Griemink was equal to the challenge with solid saves. Back at the other end, Boston also went close when Smith just missed out on connecting with a Laszlo Lovas cross and closer to the interval John Rowan saw a header from a Paul Goodhand corner well held by Gillham. The second half was only 10 minutes old when Brett Donnelly (one of three brothers in the Potton line-up) managed to level the scores. The Town defence allowed him plenty of time and space to cut in from the right and then send a lofted shot high over Griemink and into the net. Boston hit back with decent moments of attacking work and carved out two or three half chances as the match entered its closing stages. But none were taken and a level scoreline meant extra time had to be played. And eight minutes into the additional period, the Poachers re-took the lead. Potton keeper Gillham flapped at the ball and allowed Bull to seize possession. He saw Goodhand well positioned and slipped a pass to his team-mate. But at the point of pulling the trigger, Goodhand was tugged back and the referee instantly indicated a penalty that gave Bull the chance to fire in for his 54^th goal of the season and 19^th successful spot-kick. The Poachers, though, were once again pegged back to all-square when, four minutes from the end, Gareth Cottenden got in close-range finish amid suspicions of handling offence after the ball bounced loose in the danger area following a lofted free-kick from the left that caused mayhem in the Boston rearguard. It all meant the tie went to the drama of a penalty shoot-out in which the Poachers really held their nerve with four straight conversions while Griemink was also a hero with two fine and ultimately match-winning saves. Shoot-out scores: Goodhand (goal), Kuhn (saved) 1-0; Rowan (goal), Lee Allinson (goal) 2-1; Bull (goal), Paul Donnelly (goal) 3-2; Shaun Baker (goal), Cottenden (saved) 4-2. Poachers: Griemink, Don-Duncan, Spafford, Smith, Baker, Rowan, Lovas, Goodhand, Nuttell, Bull, Stares. Subs (not used): Scotney, N Lovelace, Brooks, Pinner, Collins.
Saturday April 14, 2007 (UCL)
Northampton Spencer		1	Boston Town		3
Foster 10 (pen)			Bull 23 (pen), 76 (pen) Stares 33
Two more goals from prolific marksman Gary Bull helped Boston Town to register a ninth straight UCL Premier division success and a 10^th overall in competitive action. The Poachers achieved their triumph despite having imposing central defender Shaun Baker dismissed in another incident-packed encounter. The home side began at a fair rate of knots and made sure Town’s new signing goalkeeper Steve Choppen was given a testing baptism. After only 10 minutes the Poachers’ custodian brought down Ben Foster, collected a booking and faced a penalty that Foster dispatched with confidence. It wasn’t the best of debut starts, but Choppen went on to make some vital saves as he settled into the game. In the early exchanges, Spencer got to grips with a bobbly surface much more impressively than Boston who struggled to piece together their game. However, the 23^rd minute brought the Poachers level when Bull showed great aplomb for the match’s second spot-kick. He was fouled in attempting to evade a challenge from Luke Dowling and then stepped up to fire past keeper Ollie Urquhart. This gave Boston an extra boost and 10 minutes later they took the lead. Paul Goodhand broke from midfield and found John Rowan. A neat twist and tidy chip resulted in the ball being lofted towards the home net where Matt Stares was on hand to add the finishing touch. Towards half-time both Foster and Darren Frost both went close to levelling for Spencer. The second half was only eight minutes old when Boston were reduced to 10 men, Baker picking up his second yellow card of the afternoon. A reshuffle saw Nick Lovelace introduced at the expense of Jamie Smith to help shore up the Town rearguard. The re-jig enabled Boston to keep the home side at bay and the Poachers’ confidence grew as the minutes ticked by with no serious threat on their goal. Laszlo Lovas and Stares began to enjoy some bright moments down the flanks and on 76 minutes Boston took a 3-1 lead. Lovas wriggled past two defenders and squared the ball to Bull who was once again bundled to the ground when through on goal. And once more his steely resolve from the spot paid dividends to put a seal on another three valuable points. Poachers: Choppen, Don-Duncan, Spafford, Smith (N Lovelace 56), Baker, Rowan, Lovas, Goodhand (Brader 88), Nuttell (Pinner 81), Bull, Stares.
Monday April 9, 2007 (UCL)
Holbeach United		1	Boston Town		4
Keeble 82			Rowan 49 Goodhand 77, 87, 89
Boston Town recorded their ninth straight victory to tighten their stranglehold on second place in the UCL Premier Division. Highlight of their derby day victory against Holbeach was a hat-trick from midfielder Paul Goodhand in the final 13 minutes of the contest. In the end it was a decisive triumph for the Poachers, but the home side had caused plenty of problems in the opening half with their more direct style of play. And on two occasions, keeper Bart Griemink had to come to Town’s rescue with good saves to thwart first Shaun Keeble and then Ian Dunn. Boston failed to really sparkle on a somewhat bumpy surface and seldom gave home keeper Kevin Cross much to worry about in the first 45 minutes. But the second half was a different tale. Boston surged forward with far more urgency and regularity and Cross had to make point-blank saves to deny, in turn, Gary Bull, Shaun Baker and Matt Stares. But there was nothing he could do to prevent the Poachers from breaking through in the 49^th minute. A Goodhand crossed was headed back into the danger area by Bull and John Rowan’s bullet header flew into the net. Boston now took control but all the time they had to be alert to the danger of counter punches led by Dunn and Omar Joof. But 13 minutes from time, the Poachers went 2-0 ahead. Jamie Smith was fouled 22 yards from goal and Goodhand rifled in the resultant free-kick. Holbeach halved the deficit with an 82^nd minute header by Keeble from a Steven Barnes corner. But the Poachers settled any nerves by striking twice in the dying throes. First on 87 minutes another Goodhand free-kick found its target and then a minute from time, a free-flowing Boston move led to the ball finding Goodhand who volleyed spectacularly into the top left corner of the net. Poachers: Griemink, Don-Duncan, Spafford, Smith (Brader), Baker (Lovelace), Rowan, Lovas (Pinner), Goodhand, Nuttell, Bull, Stares.
Saturday April 7, 2007 (UCL)
Boston Town		4	Stotfold		1
Scotney 45 Goodhand 73, 88 Bull 83 (pen)			Gregory 45
Boston Town grabbed an eighth straight competitive win as striker Gary Bull hit a prestigious personal scoring landmark. The prolific marksman netted a late penalty to take his remarkable individual goals haul to 50 for the season to help the Poachers secure a valuable 4-1 UCL victory over a lowly Stotfold side (who had two players dismissed) in an, at times, tempestuous and elongated encounter — and in the process further tightened their position of second in the table to leaders Deeping Rangers. Town started off in bright fashion and comfortably had the better of the opening exchanges, notably with Bull and Paul Goodhand being denied by excellent saves from in-form visiting keeper Nigel Blower. Later on, free-kicks by Goodhand and Ross Don-Duncan again flashed wide of the target. It was just after mid-way through the first period that a degree of nastiness crept in with Neal Spafford being the victim of two severe challenges and Leigh Taylor also being chopped down. With a couple of visiting players also picking up injuries, some extended spells of on-the-pitch treatment was necessary, leading to the referee remarkably having to add 15 minutes to the end of the first half. It was two minutes into this extended overtime that the visitors went ahead. The lively Ricky Case broke down the left and fired over a ball that led to a parrying save by Bart Griemink, allowing Dan Gregory to snap up the rebound and slot home. Further into stoppage time came a flare-up that left to Stotfold being reduced to 10 men. Case made a robust challenge as Griemink collected the ball and in the aftermath, the visiting player and Town’s Taylor stood head-to-head, the outcome being the latter collapsing to the floor and Case being dismissed by the match official. Thirteen minutes into added time Boston equalised when the impressive Don-Duncan delivered a pass to Laszlo Lovas whose cross picked out Dave Scotney who ghosted in past his marker and fired in his 305^th career goal in UCL competitions. After the break, Town used their made advantage to good effect with Blower again excelling to keep out efforts by John Rowan and Bull. Then on 73 minutes Boston went ahead. Bull and substitute Micky Nuttell combined well with the latter finding Goodhand in space and the midfielder drilled low under Blower. Ten minutes later came Bull’s milestone feat when he netted from the spot (his 16^th penalty conversion this term) after Stotfold defender Dan Kennoy had seemed harshly penalised for apparently handling in the area — his subsequent protests also leading to a red card. Two minutes from time, Boston went 4-1 ahead. A long clearance by Shaun Baker found Goodhand who chipped the ball past Blower and then followed in, all the time fending off a defender to cutely watch the ball bounce over the line rather than make absolutely sure of his 21^st goal of the season with a decisive second touch. Poachers: Griemink, Don-Duncan, Spafford (N Lovelace 38), Taylor (Nuttell 65), Baker, Rowan, Lovas, Goodhand, Scotney (Brader 78), Bull, Stares. Sub (not used): Pinner.
Saturday March 31, 2007 (UCL)
St Neots Town		0	Boston Town		4
			Scotney 25, 49, 88 Lovas 78
Veteran striker Dave Scotney took his United Counties League competitions career goal tally to 304 by hitting a hat-trick in Boston Town’s emphatic 4-0 victory at St Neots on Saturday. The 44-year-old front man, standing in for the injured Micky Nuttell, bagged a treble as the Poachers romped to a comfortable win, with winger Laszlo Lovas also on target during the second half. With windy conditions favouring the Poachers in the first half, leading goalscorer Gary Bull saw two chances go begging, with one effort landing on the roof of the net from distance. Boston took the lead after 25 minutes in somewhat bizarre circumstances. Scotney fired in an effort that cannoned down off the underside of the bar and after much deliberation the assistant referee ruled that the ball had crossed the line, despite play initially continuing. There was a noticeable trend to Town’s trio of second half strikes, with all three efforts emanating from left flank attacks. The Poachers doubled their advantage in the 49^th minute when Scotney turned the ball home from eight yards following John Rowan’s cross after a surging run forward. Twelve minutes from time, Town wrapped up all three points when Lovas broke down the left, cut inside and nestled a shot beyond goalkeeper Ryan Hunt and into the far corner of the net. And there was still time for Scotney to claim treble honours when he grabbed his third goal two minutes from the end. Substitute Ollie Pinner, on for Lovas, whipped over a pinpoint centre and Scotney lifted the ball into the roof of the net to put the seal on a great personal performance and a clinical team display to keep the Poachers’ slim title hopes alive. Poachers: Griemink, Taylor, Spafford, Jamie Smith, Baker, Rowan, Lovas (Pinner 79), Goodhand, Scotney, Bull, Stares. Subs (not used): R Don-Duncan, Chand, Collins.
Tuesday March 27, 2007 (UCL)
Raunds Town		0	Boston Town		1
			Goodhand 43
Paul Goodhand fired a free-kick winner for Boston Town two minutes before the interval. The goal — the midfielder’s 19^th of the season — sealed three more valuable UCL Premier Division points for the Poachers and took the team’s recent winning sequence to six games. With several senior players sidelined, the Poachers had to call upon veteran striker Dave Scotney to accompany the “younger” Gary Bull in the dual front line while promising youngsters Ollie Pinner and Liam Ogden occupied places on the bench and got into the action in the closing stages. Despite the unfamiliar look to their side, the Poachers appeared sharper than their hosts in the opening exchanges, notably with Laszlo Lovas sparking danger with some mazy runs. In addition, Jamie Smith saw a shot flash wide if the home goal while keeper Steven Haig plucked a Matt Stares cross off the head of the lurking Bull. Raunds struggled to mount a serious threat to Bart Griemink’s goal, their best effort being a long-range drive from Paul Radcliffe. The Poachers continued to press and saw opportunities come and go. Goodhand and Smith worked hard in midfield while Leigh Taylor, Shaun Baker and Neal Spafford rarely looked troubled at the back. Then on 43 minutes following a rash challenge by Neal Bartlett on Scotney, the Poachers earned a free-kick. And from just outside the area, Goodhand fired home what is rapidly becoming a trademark strike. After the interval, the Poachers were unable to regain their first half momentum abd the game became somewhat scrappy. Too many misplaced passes and wayward shooting saw the host gradually take up the challenge as the Poachers slipped more onto the defensive. Striker Radcliffe kept Spafford on his toes with some surges down the right while Griemink was called upon a several occasions to make tidy saves and interceptions. The Poachers looked uncertain at times but with renewed resilience, they saw things through. And substitutes Pinner and Ogden joined the action late on and equipped themselves well as Boston went on to register another important victory. Poachers: Griemink, Taylor, Spafford, Smith, Baker, Brooks, Lovas (Ogden 84), Goodhand, Scotney (Pinner 77), Bull, Stares. Sub (not used): Chand.
Saturday March 24, 2007 (UCL)
Boston Town		2	Desborough Town		1
Hackett 3 (og) Bull 87 (pen)			Byrne 32
Gary Bull became Boston Town’s all-time record single-season goalscorer when his penalty three minutes from time netted maximum UCL Premier Division points against Desborough. It was the veteran front man’s 49^th goal of the season and surpassed the mid-1990s record of 48 set by Carl Smaller. In achieving his fabulous individual landmark, Bull’s milestone goal also helped the Poachers to take a better grip on second place in the table, notably with main rivals for runners-up spot (Wellingborough) being held to a goalless draw at Wellingborough. Here, Boston’s quest was aided substantially by a gift goal in only the third minute. Visiting full-back Mark Hackett delivered a seemingly innocuous back-pass to keeper Aaron Cuff. But the custodian appeared to take his eye off the ball and it bobbled over his foot and dribbled into the net. It was a blow that seemed to affect the visitors and Boston had a spell of good control with Paul Goodhand and John Rowan big influences in the middle of the park. But for all their creative work, the Poachers only got in a couple of telling efforts — these seeing Goodhand force Cuff into a good save from a free-kick and Jamie Smith heading wide from a Matt Stares cross. Desborough began to dig in with some tough challenges, one of which saw Micky Nuttell having to hobble off with barely a quarter of the game gone. Leigh Taylor substituted as a makeshift striker alongside Bull. And for a while, the Poachers took time to re-adjust. And it was on 32 minutes that the visitors equalised. A cross into the home area caught out the Boston rearguard and Michael Byrne went on a forceful diagonal run which ended with a shot being slid past Bart Griemink and into the bottom corner. Five minutes from the interval, another robust challenge — this time by Scott Marshall — on Rowan appeared to merit more than the yellow card dished out. But the visiting player remained on the field while Rowan had to be substituted following lengthy treatment. The second half was a more subdued affair. Early on, veteran substitute Dave Scotney got the ball in the net, only to see the effort ruled out for offside. Elsewhere, Boston went close when Laszlo Lovas fired wide on two occasions, Taylor saw an effort fly too high and Smith fired inches past a post. On 70 minutes, though, Desborough arguably fluffed the best opening of the half when Lee Garvie broke clear, but with only Griemink to beat he ballooned the ball over the bar. From this point, the Poachers lifted the tempo and got their winning foal on 87 minutes. Lovas burst through before being felled in the area by David Pownall. And Bull delivered the perfect finish from the spot to secure the victory spoils. Poachers: Griemink, Don-Duncan, Spafford, Smith, Baker, Rowan (Scotney 40), Lovas, Goodhand, Nuttell (Taylor 22), Bull, Stares.
Tuesday March 20, 2007 (UCL)
Wellingborough Town		0	Boston Town		3
			Bull 40 (pen) Goodhand 62 Nuttell 80
Boston Town returned to second place in the UCL Premier Division by virtue of an impressive victory away to fellow high-flyers Wellingborough. In the process, the Poachers gained quick revenge for a 5-2 home defeat against the same opponents less than three weeks earlier. The first half was largely an “even-stevens” type of tussle with both sides having a few half chances but neither managed to gain any real degree of control. Early on it was Wellingborough who went closest, notably when Poachers’ keeper Bart Griemink had to bravely save at the feet of Jon Mitchell. Then home striker Mike Sneddon drilled a cross-shot wide of the target. Boro also had a goal ruled out for offside when Mitchell netted with a diving header. Boston gradually got a foothold on proceedings and went ahead five minutes before the break when Gary Bull netted his 48^th goal of the season—firing in from the penalty spot after Matt Green brought down Laszlo Lovas. From that point, it was all Boston. The second half saw the Poachers take a complete stranglehold on the game. Bull went close with a cross shot and then linked well with Lovas down the left on 62 minutes before playing the ball inside to Paul Goodhand who took a couple of strides before curling a superb shot past home goalie John Hughes. Boston then created further chances at regular intervals with John Rowan, Goodhand and the influential Jamie Smith all going close before Bull again fired inches wide of the mark on two occasions as the Poachers carried on steamrolling their hosts. Substitute Adam Hancock had Wellingborough’s best effort of the second half when forcing Griemink into a fine save. But most of the action remained at the other end with Matt Stares being unlucky Hughes was well placed to turn away his volley. Boston’s win was sealed 10 minutes from time when Goodhand’s free kick was met by a trademark far post header from Micky Nuttell with the ball just dropping inside an upright. Poachers: Griemink, Don-Duncan, Spafford, Smith, Baker, Rowan, Lovas (Scotney 85), Goodhand, Nuttell, Bull, Stares. Sub (not used): Pinner.
Saturday March 17, 2007 (UCL)
Boston Town		4	Buckingham Town		0
Bull 15, 80 Goodhand 37, 59
Boston Town completed a UCL double over lowly Buckingham and in the process maintained their grip on third spot in the Premier Division table. The margin of victory mirrored for the Poachers mirrored the one they achieved in first beating Buckingham on away soil on February 17. This was very much a one-sided encounter with the visitors packing their defence at every opportunity and leaving lone front man Darren Elliott largely chasing shadows all afternoon as a solitary presence in attack. With damage limitation seemingly the overriding priority for Buckingham, it was no surprise that Boston had the lion’s share of control throughout the afternoon. And arguably some wasted scoring opportunities prevented the Poachers winning by a much wider margin. A couple of such examples came in the early exchanges when Paul Goodhand and Jamie Smith both saw efforts fly wide. The breakthrough goal came on 15 minutes when Gary bull showed neat control and cut in from the left before driving a low shot across keeper Tim Wiltshire and into the far corner for personal goal number 46 for the campaign. As the half wore on, the likes of Goodhand and John Rowan began to dictate much of the midfield play and this sort of creativity helped bring about Boston’s second goal in the 37^th minute. Rowan and Micky Nuttell linked down the right. The latter’s firm shot was parried by Wiltshire and Goodhand showed good awareness to fire in when the loose ball broke in his direction. The Poachers continued to hold sway after the break and Nuttell could have enxtended the lead when clean through on goal. But he hesitated when glancing across to see if an offside flag was raised and seemed to lose concentration as he fired wide with only Wiltshire to beat. Nuttell was also out of luck moments later when, from a Goodhand corner, he saw a powerful header flicked off the line by Buckingham defender Adam Castagnetti. In the 59^th minute, though, Boston went 3-0 clear. Jamie Smith tenaciously won possession in midfield and fed Nuttell whose neat flick to Goodhand saw the latter touch the ball on before blasting fiercely into the corner of the net. Further untaken chances then fell to Matt Stares and Laszlo Lovas before the prolific Bull rounded the scoring off 10 minutes from time. The referee awarded Boston a free-kick and Bull — seemingly being given the nod of approval by the match official — delivered a Ryan Giggs-style finish as Buckingham busied themselves in trying to assemble their defensive wall. It was Bull’s 47^th goal of the campaign and sees him edging ever close to becoming Town’s all-time highest scorer in a single season. Poachers: Griemink, Don-Duncan, Spafford, Jamie Smith (N Lovelace 82), Taylor, Rowan, Lovas, Goodhand, Nuttell, Bull, Stares (Scotney 84). Sub (not used): Baker.
Tuesday March 13, 2007 (UCL Cup semi-final)
Boston Town		3	Desborough Town		1
Bull 13, 83 Rowan 56			Byrne 59 (pen)
Strike ace Gary Bull took his season’s goal tally to 45 as Boston Town secured a place in the final of the United counties League Cup. The free-scoring front man was on target either side of a well-worked goal from John Rowan, the Poachers’ treble haul eclipsing a second half penalty reply by Desborough’s Michael Byrne. The Poachers now await the outcome of the Northampton Spencer v Potton United semi-final to see who they meet in the showpiece conclusion to the knockout competition. Early on against Desborough, Boston had to initially rely on the blocking skills of keeper Bart Griemink who did well to save from Jamie O’Neill in the opening moments. But then the home side got more fully into gear and on 12 minutes Bull almost rounded off a free-flowing move only to see a 15-yard shot on the turn crash away off a post. But he had better luck 60 seconds later when smashing in from eight yards to convert a low cross from the left by Paul Goodhand. Both sides lost the services of key players through injuries early in proceedings — Liam Parker of Town and Daniel Marlow of Desborough. But Boston pressed again on 22 minutes. Matt Stares crossed from the left and Micky Nuttell headed down for Goodhand to fire just wide. Moments later in reply, Lewis Harman crossed from the right and Jamie O’Neill headed over at full stretch at the far post. Next for Desborough, Eddie Mills shot wide from a long-range effort. Boston finished the first half on top and two free-kicks by Goodhand led to chances. First Nuttell saw a header bounce away off the bar and then a Rowan header drifted too high. The second half was only 11 minutes old when Boston took a 2-0 lead with a goal of superb quality. Rowan burst through from midfield, exchanged a neat one-two with Nuttell and ran on toe bury a low 15-yard shot beyond keeper Shaun Allen. However, three minutes later the home lead was halved when Desborough were awarded a penalty when Harman tumbled under an apparent challenge by Shaun Baker, allowing Byrne the chance to net from the spot. The goal seemed to take away some of the Poachers’ earlier composure and apart from a 73^rd minute diverted shot by Jamie Smith and an off-target shot-on-the-run by Goodhand, Boston appeared to lose their way for a 20 minute spell. But then, on 83 minutes they got the welcome spark of a third goal. Jamie Smith won a tremendous tackle 25 yards from goal and forced the ball to Nuttell who in turn flicked the ball into the path of Bull who showed unerring accuracy to shoot low under Allen. Moments later the visiting keeper did well to deny Rowan as Boston finished on top and in the process cemented their place in the final. Poachers: Griemink, Parker (Taylor 19), Spafford, Jamie Smith, Baker, Rowan, Lovas, Goodhand, Nuttell, Bull, Stares. Subs (not used): Ogden, Scotney, N Lovelace.
Saturday March 10, 2007 (UCL)
Boston Town		1	Northampton Spencer		0
Smith 87
Substitute Jamie Smith was Boston Town’s last-gasp hero with a goal three minutes from time that sealed maximum UCL Premier Division points against Northampton Spencer. Manager Bob Don-Duncan kept faith with the same starting line-up that has lost so badly against Wellingborough the previous week, but in the face of well-organised opposition, the Poachers took time to impose any sort of impact on the game. But gradually they got a foothold on proceedings and Laszlo Lovas and John Rowan both tested visiting keeper Ollie Urquhart. Further pressure followed, culminating in a series of corners. And from one set piece, taken by Paul Goodhand, Town thought they had scored when Urquhart seemingly clawed the ball back from behind his line. But the officials waved play on. Boston began to look increasingly threatening each time they attacked with a lot of neat one-touch football being pleasing on the eye. Spencer also looked dangerous on the counter-punch with the tricky Ben Foster notably keeping Liam Parker busy at the back. Josh Urquhart, up front, wasted Spencer’s best opportunity midway through the first half when blazing over from a good shooting chance. Boston hit back with Lovas proving a real handful. And he forced keeper Urquhart into a fine double save following a teasing run down the flank. Further strikes by Goodhand and Micky Nuttell failed to trouble the Spencer custodian, while a Rowan shot had Urquhart scrambling to save as he dropped the Poachers’ front man’s initial drive. After the break, Town continued in the same attacking vein and Goodhand shot wide after being set up by Gary Bull. Town went close again on the hour when the keeper fumbled a Goodhand shot. The ball squirmed from his grasp and only a lunging save with an outstretched leg prevented it from crossing the line. In reply, Foster still looked like causing Boston problems and in one of his attacking forays, only a superb challenge by Shaun Baker averted a serious threat to Bart Griemink’s goal. In the 81^st minute Jamie Smith replaced Ross Don-Duncan and his first touch yielded a fierce strike on the Spencer goal with the ball flashing inches wide. At this stage it all seemed as though it was going to be “one of those days” for the Poachers, particularly when — after Lovas had been fouled in the penalty area — Gary Bull saw a penalty saved (his first miss from the spot in Boston colours). But substitute Smith showed good awareness to follow up after Urquhart’s parried save and netted with an excellent curling shot to guarantee three hard-won points. Poachers: Griemink, Parker, Spafford, Don-Duncan (Jamie Smith 81), Baker, Rowan, Lovas, Goodhand, Nuttell, Bull, Stares. Subs (not used): Taylor, Scotney.
Saturday March 3, 2007 (UCL)
Boston Town		2	Wellingborough Town		5
Bull 42 Goodhand 72			A Taylor 7 Green 14 Sneddon 21 Collins 53, 77
Boston Town’s pursuit of second spot and runners-up rewards in the Premier Division of the UCL suffered a devastating blow against fellow high-flyers Wellingborough Town whose clinical finishing exploits was the big difference on the day. In the end the Poachers ended up well beaten. But the outcome could have arguably been substantially different but for some misfortune for John Rowan who saw an early effort rebound off the goal frame. The visitors shrugged aside this let-off and took a seventh minute lead when home defender Shaun Baker failed to clear his lines and Jed Ainge set up youngster Alfie Taylor to score. Midfielder Matt Green doubled the visitors’ lead with a great strike from just outside the box on 14 minutes Boston fell three goals adrift on 21 minutes when Mike Sneddon’s chip left home keeper Bart Griemink stranded. Boston exerted spells of pressure but constantly ran into a well-organised Wellingborough rearguard, notably efforts from Paul Goodhand and Matt Stares going closest to opening the home account. Boston managed to gain a toehold on the game in the 42^nd minute when Gary Bull netted his 43^rd goal of the season from close range after Micky Nuttell and Goodhand had played roles in helping the ball on from a Liam Parker free-kick. But Wellingborough regained their three-goal lead when Darren Collins headed in from Taylor’s cross on 53 minutes. Both sides then went close to adding to the goal spree with shots by Bull and David Glass respectively. Boston pulled a second goal back after 77 minutes from a free-kick after a foul on Bull. Here Goodhand curled a shot directly into the top corner. But Wellingborough ended proceedings on a high with a fifth goal on 77 minutes. Sneddon held the ball up well before switching play to Glass on the left flank. The wide man cut back inside before delivering a perfect cross to the far post where Collins arrived right on cue to head home. Poachers: Griemink, Parker, Spafford, Don-Duncan (Jamie Smith), Baker (L Taylor), Rowan, Lovas, Goodhand, Nuttell, Bull, Stares.
Saturday February 24, 2007 (UCL)
Wellingborough Town		v	Boston Town
Postponed: waterlogged pitch
Tuesday February 20, 2007 (UCL)
Deeping Rangers		4	Boston Town		1
Stevenson 49, 71 Baines 65 Matson 89			Bull 43 (pen)
For 45 minutes, Boston Town looked on course to inflict Deeping’s first UCL Premier Division defeat of the season. But the unbeaten table-toppers showed their championship credentials to the full and ran out emphatic winners. The Poachers, giving a debut to Grimsby-based keeper Andy Bagnell (Bart Griemink on a visit to his native Holland), got off to a promising start and enjoyed the better of the initial exchanges before Deeping responded with moments of attacking pressure of their own. But the 43^rd minute brought the game’s breakthrough goal in favour of Town. Laszlo Lovas wriggled into the home area where his was felled at the expense of a penalty. And ace striker Gary Bull slotted in from the spot for his 42^nd goal of the season. But in the second half, Deeping came out with all guns blazing and bagged four goals without reply to record a thumping success that all but crushed the Poachers’ aspirations in the title shake-up. Deeping took charge almost from the first whistle after the turn-around. Michael Stevenson levelled after 49 minutes and Mark Baines put Rangers ahead after 65 minutes. Stevenson’s second goal of the evening on 71 minutes extended Deeping’s lead and former Poacher Danny Matson completed the scoring in the final minute. Poachers: Bagnell, Parker, Spafford, Don-Duncan, Baker, Jamie Smith, Lovas, Rowan, Nuttell, Bull, Stares. Subs: Taylor, Jarrod Smith, Scotney, N Lovelace, Howard.
Saturday February 17, 2007 (UCL)
Buckingham Town		0	Boston Town		4
			Bull 43, 53 (pen), 88 (pen) Rowan 60
Boston Town kept up the pressure at the head of affairs in the Premier Division of the UCL. They pocketed three more valuable points at the expense of basement side Buckingham. And goal machine Gary Bull helped to lay the platform for the success by netting his fifth hat-trick of the season to take his individual tally for the campaign to 41 goals — a figure that is rapidly closing in on the Poachers’ all-time top marksman haul set by Carl Smaller in 1994. Bull latest goal exploits began in the 43^rd minute of an encounter that the Poachers always controlled, but one in which they had to stay calm in the face of increasingly robust challenges as the game wore on. Bull gave his team the lead just before the break when heading in from a good move involving new signing Jarrod Smith and John Rowan — the latter’s cross being delivered to clinical effect. Early in proceedings, it was Buckingham who set off at the brisker pace, notably with Tony Joyce and Rory Brampton having half-chances. But the Boston defence held firm and ensured that keeper Bart Griemink didn’t have too many moments of anxiety. Boston got more fully into the reckoning, notably with the Smith brothers (Jarrod and Jamie) plus winger Laszlo Lovas catching the eye. The visitors had a couple of good openings before Bull’s breakthrough strike. First John Rowan fired wide and then a Bul header was well saved by home keeper Tom Wiltshire. Eight minutes into the second half, Boston went 2-0 ahead. Jarrod Smith burst through before being tugged back by Kia Ridley whose misdemeanour led to his dismissal for a second yellow card offence. And Bull fired in from the spot. On the hour, another piece of Jarrod Smith creativity paved the way for Rowan to race on and shoot past Wiltshire. As the match progressed, the home side began to add extra tenacity to their challenges. In the process, Nathan Collins suffered a recurrence to the dislocated shoulder injury he sustained earlier in the season. This injury followed a much earlier blow to Jamie Smith who had to sit out 10 minutes while receiving treatment for a knock picked up in another incident. Boston gave late appearances to subs from the opposite ends of the age range — teenager Matt Howard and seasoned veteran Dave Scotney. But there was still time for the Poachers to grab a fourth goal, Bull again firing in from the spot after picking himself up after being floored by Gary Flynn whose foul earned a straight red card from the referee to leave Buckingham to soldier on for the final couple of minutes with just nine men. Poachers: Griemink, Parker, Spafford, Collins (Howard 78), Baker, Jamie Smith, Lovas, Jarrod Smith (Scotney 85), Rowan, Bull, Stares.
Saturday February 10, 2007 (UCL)
Boston Town		2	Newport Pagnell Town		0
Goodhand 26 Stares 88
Boston Town creditably produced a winning performance despite having to manage with a somewhat depleted squad — one that saw young substitute duo Matt Howard and Liam Ogden both given a brief foray late on into the world of UCL football. Victory against a Newport Pagnell side, reduced to 10 men in the later stages when keeper James Howarth was sent off, kept the Poachers firmly in the UCL Premier Division championship chase. The result also saw Town maintain their unbeaten run since the dawning of 2007 (four league wins and one in the UCL Cup). They began with a decent tempo to their game and James Brader being a notable and busy presence on the right, linking well on occasions with Gary Bull and Paul Goodhand. But despite enjoying the bulk of possession and carving out some flowing moves, the Poachers were unable to fully capitalise or give visiting keeper Howarth too much concern. At the other end, Pagnell — operating with Vinnie Shrieves as a lone striker — also failed to make much impression, notably with in-form home defender Neal Spafford again producing a high-class display. In the 26^th minute Boston too the lead. Matt Stares was fouled by Richard Armstrong. And from 20 yards out, Goodhand smacked a curling free-kick over the Pagne