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Spotlight on Boston Town Football Club

Reports from the 2007-2008 season at Tattershall Road

THE POACHERS

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SEASON NOW COMPLETED
Saturday April 19, 2008 (UCL)
Wellingborough Town		1	Boston Town		2
Mitchell 43			Goodhand 12 Bull 51
Boston Town completed their United Counties League Premier Division programme on a victorious note when getting the better of mid-table rivals Wellingborough by a 2-1 scoreline. Paul Goodhand gave the Poachers the lead with an astute 12^th minute free-kick. However, the home side levelled matters through Jon Mitchell two minutes before the interval. But the match spoils were sealed for Boston when veteran front man Gary Bull netted what proved to be the winner on 51 minutes — the goal enabling him to leap into joint top spot in the division’s leading goalscorers ratings, equalling the feats of Long Buckby’s Ben Foster and Cogenhoe’s Rob Foster. It was Bull’s 29^th league goal of the campaign and 36^th in all competitions. Poachers: Griemink, Spafford, Price, Collins, Baker, Foster, Courtley (Taylor 76), Goodhand, Bull, Nimmo, Medine. Subs (not used): Pinner, Scotney.
Saturday April 12, 2008 (UCL)
Raunds Town		1	Boston Town		1
Ridgway 43			Bull 23
Boston Town still harbour ambitions of ending the season in the UCL Premier Division’s top five. Their cause was bolstered by a share of the spoils from a 1-1 draw away to Raunds Town. And arguably, the returns might have been greater. Boston went ahead via Gary Bull’s 28^th league goal of the season (and number 35 in all competitions this term). He netted from the penalty spot after Matt Kennedy had been fouled. But a home equaliser by Callum Ridgway just before the interval levelled the scores. Despite having a few decent chances after the break, the Poachers were unable to make it a maximum points haul from the fixture. Poachers: Griemink, Spafford, Price, Collins (Scotney 80), Baker (Courtley 65), Foster, Kennedy, Goodhand, Medine, Bull (Taylor 72), Nimmo.
Tuesday April 8, 2008 (UCL)
Boston Town		1	Holbeach United		1
Nimmo 33			Nicholls 83
Boston Town shared the spoils with county rivals Holbeach United when their UCL Premier Division fixture at Tattershall Road ended in a 1-1 draw. Gary Nimmo was Boston’s man on target while visiting keeper Nick Conroy excelled with a string of fine saves to make sure that Ross Nicholls’ late goal was enough to earn a point for the Tigers. Nimmo gave Boston the lead on 33 minutes and the poachers looked like adding to their lead on several other occasions. However, in-form Conroy made some excellent saves. Just when it seemed one goal was going to be enough to settle the destiny of the points, up popped Nicholls for Holbeach to level matters with seven minutes to spare. Poachers: Griemink, Spafford, Price, Collins, Baker, Foster, Nimmo, Goodhand, Medine, Bull, Kennedy.
Saturday April 5, 2008 (UCL)
Newport Pagnell		3	Boston Town		2
Mulkern 16 Shrieves 65 Kelly 90			Bull 20 Goodhand 66
Boston Town saw their unbeaten eight-match UCL run come to an end in agonising fashion away to mid-table rivals Newport Pagnell who snatched a dramatic injury time winning goal. After replying twice previously to strikes by the home side with equalisers, this time there was no opportunity for the Poachers to bounce back a third time. Scott Mulkern gave the Swans the lead after sixteen minutes, but Gary Bull’s 31st goal of the season hauled Boston on terms four minutes later. Newport regained the lead with a Vinny Shrieves effort after 65 minutes but a Poachers response came even quicker this time with Paul Goodhand levelling within a minute. Boston had no answer, though, when Martin Kelly gave the Swans the lead for a third time two minutes into stoppage time. Poachers: Griemink, Spafford, Price, Collins, Baker, Foster, Pinner (Taylor 82), Goodhand, Medine, Bull, Nimmo. Sub (not used); Scotney.
Saturday March 29, 2008 (UCL)
Boston Town		2	Northampton Spencer		2
Kennedy 21 Collins 67			Cassidy 78 Giles 87
Two late goals deprived Boston Town of maximum UCL points. The Poachers had taken a 2-0 lead over visitors Northampton Spencer thanks to strikes by Matt Kennedy and Nathan Collins. But Spencer rallied to snatch a point with two strikes inside the final 12 minutes. Despite having to settle for a draw, though, the Poachers still took their recent unbeaten mini-run to eight league matches. Kennedy gave the Boston 21st minute lead and Collins doubled the lead after 67 minutes. But Phil Cassidy’s free-kick started the visitors’ comeback on 78 minutes left and an 87th minute Ian Giles effort salvaged a point for the Millers. Poachers: Griemink, Spafford, Price, Collins, Baker, Foster, Nimmo, Goodhand, Medine, Bull, Kennedy (Ogden 37). Subs (not used); Pinner, Taylor, Brown.
Monday March 24, 2008 (UCL)
Boston Town		v	Holbeach United
Postponed: waterlogged pitch
Saturday March 22, 2008 (UCL)
Boston Town		5	AFC Kempston Rovers		0
Bull 30, 64 Kennedy 43 Nimmo 74 Goodhand 89
Boston Town completed a decisive UCL double over basement side Kempston and in the process took their own mini-sequence of unbeaten games to seven, a record now stretching back almost two months. The Poachers were never under any real threat throughout the match, particularly after prolific marksman Gary Bull had given them a 3oth minute lead. Town went into the break 2-0 to the good, thanks to Matt Kennedy’s strike on 43 minutes. Bull doubled his goal return for the day on 64 minutes and the result was put beyond all doubt when Gary Nimmo struck on 74 minutes and Paul Goodhand added his team’s fifth a minute from time. Poachers: Griemink, Spafford, Price, Pinner, Baker, Foster, Nimmo, Goodhand, Medine, Bull, Kennedy.
Saturday March 15, 2008 (UCL)
Wootton Blue Cross		1	Boston Town		1
Daniel 14			Bull 20 (pen)
Gary Bull’s 31^st goal of the season in all competitions helped Boston Town to share the spoils in their away UCL Premier Division clash against relegation-threatened Wootton Blue Cross. The home side went ahead through Craig Daniel after 14 minutes, but levelled the scores six minutes later from the penalty spot after he had been upended in the area. No further goals followed, though, but the Poachers could still reflect positively on taking their mini-unbeaten run to six league games. Poachers: Butcher, Spafford, Price, Collins, Baker, Foster (Ogden 70), Lovas, Goodhand, Medine, Bull, Kennedy (Brown 70). Subs (not used): Pinner, Taylor.
Saturday March 8, 2008 (UCL)
Boston Town		2	S & L Corby		0
Bull 74 (pen), 89
Boston Town rattled up their fourth straight UCL victory when accounting for opponents Stewarts and Lloyds Corby in a 2-0 scoreline at Tattershall Road. Veteran front man Gary Bull was the Poachers’ hero with the two decisive strikes late in proceedings. The triumph kept Boston firmly among the high-flyers in the Premier Division, albeit some distance off the top spot currently held by Stotfold. After an evenly-balanced first three-quarters of the game, Boston claimed maximum spoils on the platform laid by Bull’s first goal on 74 minutes, netted from the penalty spot after Laslo Lovas had been felled in the area. The prolific marksman — who had only emerged from the bench as a 71^st minute substitute after a calf injury — was on target again in the final minute of the match to seal Town’s success with his 30^th goal of the campaign in all competitions. Poachers: Griemink, Spafford, Price, Collins, Baker, Foster, Lovas, Goodhand, Medine, Brown (Nimmo 60), Kennedy (Bull 71). Subs (not used): Pinner, Taylor.
Saturday March 1, 2008 (UCL)
St Ives Town		1	Boston Town		5
Fordham 78			Lovas 11, 39 Goodhand 36 Brown 55 Foster 89
Boston Town enjoyed a spectacular away-day success when they travelled to face in-form St Ives — and romped to a crushing 5-1 triumph. In the process, the Poachers gained ample revenge for an earlier 1-0 home loss against the same opposition. The result also gave Bob Don-Duncan’s men a third straight UCL victory and a further welcome boost to confidence levels after a testing time during the latter part of the winter. The visitors certainly hit the goal trail with plenty of force. Laszlo Lovas gave them the lead on 11 minutes and two goals late in the half gave Boston a stranglehold on the match. Paul Goodhand put the Poachers 2-0 ahead after 36 minutes and Lovas added a third three minutes later. Greg Brown scored Boston’s fourth goal after 55 minutes before Will Fordham cut the deficit with on 78 minutes with a consolation effort before Boston midfielder Mark Foster wrapped up a handsome win in the final minute. Poachers: Butcher, Spafford, Price, Kennedy, Baker, Foster, Collins, Goodhand, Lovas, Brown, (Ogden 83), Medine. Sub (not used): Bull.
Saturday February 23, 2008 (UCL)
Boston Town		0	St Neots		0
Boston Town prised out a hard-earned home UCL point against high-riding rivals St Neots. The match ended in a 0-0 scoreline — only the fifth time this term that the Poachers have shared the spoils in 31 Premier Division games. Manager Bob Don-Duncan was forced to field a patched-up strike pairing of Gary Nimmo and Leigh Taylor in the rare absence from the starting line-up of niggling injury strain victim Gary Bull. In the end, the reshaped front division was unable to prise a way through to goal. But the Poachers took consolation from the fact they also kept their rivals at bay at the other end for a welcome clean sheet feat. Poachers: Griemink, Spafford, Price, Ogden (Pinner), Baker, Kennedy (Bull), Lovas, Goodhand, Nimmo, Taylor (Collins), Medine.
Saturday February 16, 2008 (UCL)
Kempston Rovers		1	Boston Town		4
Maddix 62			Lovas 25 Bull 46 Pinner 72 Chance 89 (og)
Boston Town made it welcome back-to-back victories when they hit the road to face bottom-placed Kempston Rovers and returned to Lincolnshire with three valuable UCL points on the strength of a solid 4-1 victory. The rewards gained enabled the Poachers to remain fourth in the Premier Division standings, albeit with most of the teams around them having at least one match in hand. Full details to follow. Laszlo Lovas made the breakthrough for the Poachers after 25 minutes with Gary Bull taking his season’s goal total to 28 in all competitions with a 46th minute second. Sam Maddix replied for Kempston after 62 minutes, but their comeback hopes were dashed ten minutes later as Ollie Pinner netted a third Poachers goal. A last minute Neil Chance own goal completed the scoring.
Saturday February 9, 2008 (UCL)
Boston Town		3	Wootton Blue Cross		2
Nimmo 21 Bull 45, 89			Love 29 Matieskiewicz 50
Boston Town registered a welcome and morale-boosting victory when they just got the better of Wootton Blue Cross in a 3-2 scoreline at Tattershall Road. The victory was the Poachers’ first in six competitive games and keeps them in fifth spot in the Premier Division table, albeit 10 points adrift of leaders Stotfold. Gary Nimmo’s second goal in two games gave Boston a 21st minute lead, but Wootton replied eight minutes later through Nick Love. Bull restored the Poachers' lead in the dying seconds of the half but Blue Cross equalised five minutes into the second period through Krysztof Matieskiewicz. What would have been a valuable point slipped from Wootton’s grasp at the death as Bull netted his 24th goal of the season in the final minute to win the match for Boston and give the Poachers a welcome victory haul. Poachers: Doughty, Spafford, Price, Pinner, Baker, Foster, Lovas, Goodhand, Nimmo, Bull, Kennedy (Collins 63). Subs (not used): Taylor, Brown, Scotney.
Saturday February 2, 2008 (UCL Cup quarter-final)
Daventry		3	Boston Town		1
Greatrex 2 Berwick 24 Nelson 52			Nimmo 26
Boston Town’s poor run of form and results continued when they were dumped out of the United Counties League Cup by runaway Division One leaders Daventry. The Poachers tumbled to a 3-1 reverse to extend their sequence of woes to four defeats and a draw from their last five competitive outings. Defender Adie Greatrex gave the home side a second minute advantage and they went further ahead after 24 minutes thanks to Tom Berwick's 20th goal in domestic football this term. The Poachers were back in the hunt two minutes later through debutant Gary Nimmo, but Danny Nelson sealed Daventry’s win seven minutes into the second half.   Poachers: Doughty, Lovelace (Brown), Price, Taylor, Baker, Foster, Lovas, Goodhand, Nimmo, Bull, Kennedy.
Saturday January 26, 2008 (UCL)
Boston Town		1	Long Buckby		2
Collins 30			Nash 29 Foster 75
Boston Town lost more ground in the UCL title race and slipped to fifth place in the Premier Division standings when suffering a 2-1 home reverse against in-form Long Buckby. The result left the Poachers seven points adrift of leaders Stotfold. And, having also played two games more than the table-toppers, the prospects of Boston lifting the championship crown have receded somewhat. Ryan Nash gave Buckby a 29th minute lead but the Poachers produced the best possible response with an equaliser by Nathan Collins just sixty seconds later. However, despite further ebb-and-flow play from both sides, there was no further breakthrough until 15 minutes from time when Ben Foster, for the visitors, netted his 26th goal of the season to snatch all three points. Poachers: Doughty, Ogden, Spafford, Collins (Taylor), Lovelace, Foster, Lovas, Goodhand, Brown (Scotney), Bull, Price.
Saturday January 19, 2008 (FA Vase fourth round)
Hungerford		1	Boston Town		0
Baker 88 (og)
The agonising combination of missed penalty and a late own goal sent Boston Town tumbling off the FA Vase trail in a slender 1-0 loss away to Hungerford. The Poachers had been bidding to reach the last 16 of the contest for only the second time in their history. But when leading scorer Gary Bull failed to convert a first half spot-kick Town probably knew it wasn’t going to be their day. And that’s how things turned out when the home side booked their passage through to the fifth round with a fortunate 88^th minute winner courtesy of Boston defender Shaun Baker. Town went into the match minus the services of suspended striker Garath Pritchard, his place going to reserve front man Greg Brown. But the latter found it hard to make any real impact alongside Bull. And as a result, the Poachers always found it tough going in an attacking sense against a strong home rearguard. Boston, though, had a golden chance to go ahead just before the break when Brown was fouled in the penalty area. But from the spot, Bull saw his effort rattle away off a post. After the interval, the Poachers lifted the tempo of their game, notably when Laszlo Lovas pushed into attack on the introduction of substitute Rob Wesley. Lovas made a few darting runs and won a few free-kicks in dangerous areas. But for once Paul Goodhand couldn’t find the required accuracy from the set-pieces. It was at the other end that a goal looked more likely, notably with Boston keeper Bart Griemink having to pull off three or four fine saves to ensure the scoreline stayed blank as the home side increased the pressure as the match drew towards its conclusion. But Griemink was unable to keep Boston in the Vase when, two minutes from time a cross from the right brought momentary panic to the Boston back line and the ball diverted into the net off the unfortunate Baker to settle the tie in agonising fashion from a Poachers’ perspective. Poachers: Griemink, Ogden, Spafford, Collins, Baker, Foster, Lovas, Goodhand, Brown (Wesley), Bull, Pinner. Subs (not used): N Lovelace, Scotney.
Saturday January 12, 2008 (UCL)
Boston Town		2	Stotfold		2
Goodhand 45 Bull 74			Mason 39 Allinson 90
Boston Town were denied a return to pole position in the UCL Premier Division table by a contentious equaliser netted by opponents Stotfold six minutes into added second half stoppage time. Up to that pivotal moment the Poachers had looked like gaining maximum spoils to leap-frog their visitors in the championship chase. Indeed, the Poachers had looked good value for a three-point haul after fighting their way back from a goal behind — a strike netted for Stotfold by Joel Mason after 39 minutes. However, midfielder Paul Goodhand levelled the scores on the stroke of half-time and after enjoying plenty of possession after the break, Town went ahead on 74 minutes through prolific veteran goal-grabber Gary Bull. And it stayed 2-1 in Boston’s favour until Lee Allinson scrambled a draw for Stotfold in dramatic last-gasp circumstances. Poachers: Griemink, Ogden, Spafford, Collins, Baker, Foster, Brown (Scotney 86), Goodhand, Pritchard, Bull, Pinner. Subs (not used): Maddison, Lyon.
Saturday January 5, 2008 (UCL)
St Neots		1	Boston Town		0
Francis 56
Boston Town lost their grip on top spot in the UCL Premier Division by virtue of this slender loss away to fellow title-chasers St Neots. A solitary second half goal settled the issue. The Poachers now sit one point adrift of new leaders Stotfold (Town’s opponents next Saturday), with the latter also having three games in hand. The Saints had much the better of the opening half, but it was Boston who went closest to breaking through when home defender Paul Bloss cleared a Garath Pritchard header off the line. In the end, it was a goal scrambled in by Ryan Francis 11 minutes into the second half that saw the Saints to victory after Kevin Byrne knocked down a Luigi Rocco cross. Byrne also had the ball in the net for St Neots but the strike was ruled out for a push by Francis. Boston battled hard to find a way back into the match, but the late sending off of Ollie Pinner didn’t help the Poachers’ cause as they finished with 10 men. Poachers: Doughty, Ogden (Collins), Spafford, Lovelace, Baker, Foster, Lovas, Goodhand, Pritchard, Bull, Pinner.
Saturday December 29, 2007 (UCL)
Potton United		2	Boston Town		3
Endersby 4 Worthington 50			Bull 17, 37 Spafford 35
Boston Town made it four wins in a row with their second successive 3-2 away win over the festive holiday period. And with other sides in the upper reaches of the UCL Premier Division dropping points, the Poachers’ triumph at Potton led to Bob Don-Duncan’s men climbing back to the top of the table. The result also gave the Poachers revenge for an early-season 4-0 home loss against Potton who have since nose-dived into the relegation zone. In this encounter, Potton also made a good impression in the early stages and took a fourth minute lead through Matt Endersby. But Boston’s prolific striker Gary Bull levelled from the penalty spot on 17 minutes. Boston then took charge with two goals in two minutes. Neal Spafford gave them the lead after 35 minutes and Bull extended the visiting advantage two minutes later. Chances were less frequent after the break, although Potton quickly reduced the deficit through Sam Worthington in the 50^th minute. But it wasn’t quite enough to prevent the poachers from netting a second successive 3-2 away win in the space of three days. Sam Worthington replied for Potton five minutes after the restart.  Poachers: Doughty, Ogden, Spafford, Lovelace, Baker (Maddison), Foster, Lovas, Goodhand, Pritchard, Bull, Pinner.
Wednesday December 26, 2007 (UCL)
Holbeach United		2	Boston Town		3
Dunn 28 Nimmo 90			Bull 58, 72 Foster 65
Boston Town registered their third straight UCL victory to further boost their position towards the top of the Premier Division table. The Poachers extracted maximum points from their derby day visit to county rivals Holbeach United in a 3-2 win — the Poachers’ third competitive success over the Tigers so far this term. Holbeach led at the break with a 28th minute Ian Dunn effort. But three goals in the space of 14 minutes for the visitors turned the game on its head in the second half. Gary Bull equalised two minutes before the hour mark, Mark Foster then rifled the Poachers into a 65th minute lead and Bull extended Boston’s lead after 72 minutes. Liam Nimmo scored a last minute Tigers’ consolation. But it was too late to alter the destiny of the spoils. Poachers: Griemink, N Lovelace, Spafford, Ogden, Baker (Collins), Foster, Lovas, Goodhand, Pritchard, Bull, Pinner.
Saturday December 22, 2007 (UCL)
Boston Town		1	Raunds Town		0
Bull 89 (pen)
Boston Town pocketed maximum UCL points for the second week in succession to further help erase the memories of a poor sequence of league form and results in advance of last weekend’s win at Cogenhoe. In their clash with Raunds, a tight game ensued throughout and it wasn’t until the penultimate minute that Gary Bull decided the issue with a penalty — his 20^th goal of the season. The victory over opponents who had won five of their six previous matches after a toiling start to the campaign, hoisted the Poachers back to third spot in the table. Poachers: Griemink, Spafford, Pinner, Don-Duncan (N Lovelace), Baker, Foster, Lewis, Goodhand, Pritchard, Bull, Lovas.
Saturday December 15, 2007 (UCL)
Cogenhoe United		3	Boston Town		4
Foster 18, 38 Nedimovic 76			Baker 26 Pinner 35 Bull 40 Pritchard 84
Boston Town returned to winning ways after three straight UCL losses when coming out on top in a real thriller of a game away to Cogenhoe United. The Poachers grabbed maximum points in a seven-goal encounter. Victory puts Town back on a more even keel in the upper reaches of the table. But, having played more games than most of their rivals, they are still have plenty of ground to make up in the championship chase. In a see-saw tussle, Town fielded a somewhat reshuffled line-up, completed with two debutants. Goalkeeper James Doughty (formerly on the books of Boston United) was drafted in between the sticks while Wesley Lewis was involved in midfield. Rob Foster gave Cogenhoe an 18th minute lead but eight minutes later Shaun Baker levelled for the Poachers. Boston took a 35th minute lead through Ollie Pinner but Foster’s 24th goal of the season restored parity four minutes later. Veteran marksman Gary Bull restored Boston’s lead five minutes before the break. Zac Nedimovic equalised for Cogenhoe after 76 minutes but with six minutes left Garath Pritchard scored what proved to be the winning goal for the Poachers who are now unbeaten in their last five Compton Park visits.  Poachers: Doughty, Ogden, Spafford, Don-Duncan (N Lovelace), Baker, Foster, Lewis, Goodhand, Pritchard, Bull, Pinner (Scotney).
Tuesday December 11, 2007 (UCL)
Boston Town		2	Blackstones		4
Bull 43 Goodhand 79			Stebbing 7 Jones 12 Harrold 14, 28
Table-topping Blackstones completed a double over Boston Town and consolidated their position in the championship race thanks largely to a devastating opening spell i