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Spotlight on Boston United Football Club

THE PILGRIMS

Match reports archive 2005-2006

SEASON COMPLETE
Saturday May 6, 2006 (League Two)
Torquay United	0	Boston United	0
Despite being unable to hit the goal trail, Boston United were more than deserving of a final day share of the spoils away to relegation-haunted Torquay. But a share of the spoils was still enough for the Pilgrims to hit the 61-point mark (their best ever total as a League Two club) and cement a finishing position of 11^th on the table (equal ling their best achievement). Pilgrims: (4-5-1): Logan; Canoville (Silk 67), Ellender, White, McCann; Maylett (P Till 61), Clarke, Holland, Greaves, Thomas (Dudfield 82); Joachim. Subs (not used): Melton, R Chinn.
Saturday April 29, 2006 (League Two)
Boston United	2	Rushden & Diamonds	0
Dudfield 89 Thomas 90
Boston United signed off their home programme to the 2005-2006 season with a two-goal victory that consigned opponents Rushden and Diamonds to an immediate future back in the Conference. The Pilgrims found it tough going against a side battling hard to preserve their League Two status. But in the end, last-gasp goals from Lawrie Dudfield and Danny Thomas sealed the spoils. In a first half of few openings, the best moments saw Julian Joachim and Thomas shoot straight at Scott Tynan (22 and 45 minutes) when seemingly well placed to have done better. After the break, Rushden were on top with Wayne Hatswell heading wide and then later blazing too high with the goal at his mercy while Phil Gulliver also went close with a header. Boston managed to hold on and plundered maximum spoils when Dudfield fired past Tynan on 89 minutes after Joachim had flicked on a Conrad Logan clearance. Then in stoppage time, following a neat build-up down the left, Thomas drilled in with an angled 18-yard drive. The victory took United a record points tally of 60 as a League Two club. Pilgrims (4-3-3): Logan; Canoville, White, Ellender, McCann; Clarke (Maylett 66), Holland, Galbraith (Melton 22); Till (Dudfield 33), Joachim, Thomas. Subs (not used): Silk, Chinn.
Saturday April 22, 2006 (League Two)
Bristol Rovers	3	Boston United	1
Disley 27 Walker 73 (pen) Agogo 77		Joachim 60
This was effectively the day that Boston United’s outside hopes of reaching the League Two play-offs finally died. Defeat away to Bristol Rovers left the Pilgrims to contemplate another — but arguably still creditable — mid-table finish as a member of the “elite 92” in the Football League. However, it was a day when so much more could easily have run in favour of Steve Evans’ men. Exchanges in the first half were generally quite even. But on 27 minutes home striker junior Agogo broke clear and squared invitingly for Craig Disley to fire Rovers ahead. Either side of the interval, United went close to getting on level terms, notably with Julian Joachim twice missing out when decent openings presented themselves. But Boston’s top marksman made amends in the 60^th minute when finishing off a good move. Jamie Clarke fed Chris Holland out wide. Brad Maylett headed his centre back across goal and Joachim forced the ball in from close range. Shortly afterwards, Joachim found Danny Thomas with a clear opening. But from eight yards out, he miscued a volley and the chance was lost. Boston fell behind in the 73^rd minute when Austin McCann needlessly tugged back Lewis Haldane and from the resulting penalty, Richard Walker fired past United keeper Conrad Logan — back on loan from Leicester City and fully in form with a clutch of excellent saves during this particular 90 minutes. With United pressing for a second equaliser, Rovers were able to exploit gaps and in the 77^th minute Agogo put the issue beyond doubt with the sort of clinical finish that had been missing at the opposite end of the park. Pilgrims (4-3-3): Logan; Canoville, White, Ellender, McCann; Holland, Clarke, Greaves (Maylett 46); Dudfield (Till 46), Joachim (Galbraith 90), Thomas. Subs (not used): Melton, Silk.
Monday April 17, 2006 (League Two)
Boston United	1	Oxford United	0
White 7
A goal from Alan White as early as the seventh minute proved enough for Boston United to defeat Oxford. White showed good awareness to pounce on a loose ball and stab in from eight yards after Us’ keeper Billy Turley had spilled an Austin McCann free-kick hoisted into the area. In a match dominated by a strong downfield breeze, the Pilgrims enjoyed first half ascendancy with further efforts from White (header) and shots by Brad Maylett and David Galbraith going close to extending their advantage. After the break, though, Oxford gained the upper hand. But they missed two amazing chances to equalise. First on 54 minutes Tcham N’Toya’s 20-yard free-kick rattled down off the home bar (via a slight touch from Michel Kuipers) with Boston scrambling the ball clear. Then nine minutes from time, Andy Burgess fired the ball into the danger area and Leo Roget somehow tumbled over the ball and bundled a shot wide when an equaliser looked certain. The match also marked a return to York Street of former Boston boss Jim Smith who began his managerial career with the Pilgrims in 1969. He received warm and rapturous applause from all sides when he emerged from the tunnel before the match got under way. The result left Boston still in with an outside chance of reaching the final play-off slot but Oxford are sitting uneasily at the wrong end of the table. Pilgrims (4-4-2): Kuipers; Canoville (Silk 18), White, Ellender, McCann; Maylett, Clarke (Holland 69), Greaves, Galbraith (Joachim 84); Dudfield, Thomas. Subs (not used): Melton, Chinn.
Saturday April 15, 2006 (League Two)
Peterborough United	0	Boston United	1
		Clarke 69
Midfielder Jamie Clarke was Boston United’s derby day match-winner as the Pilgrims chalked up their fourth away League Two triumph of the season — and completed a home and away double over their neighbours from London Road. The match was always tightly contested with neither attack really given much scope to flourish. Boston might have taken the lead in the first half but an opportunity escaped Lawrie Dudfield. The closest Posh came to scoring came through two efforts by Danny Crow. The first drew a good stop from Michel Kuipers while the second saw the home forward slice off target. In the 64^th minute Dudfield flicked a pass to Julian Joachim. But Mark Tyler superbly saved the latter’s stinging drive. However, Boston harvested maximum spoils when a pass inside from the left by Dudfield was partially blocked by Tim Ryan. The ball looped up off Danny Thomas and Clarke swivelled superbly to fire a tremendous 16-yard volley shot past Tyler in the 69^th minute. After that the Pilgrims held firm steadfastly, especially with Alan White and Paul Ellender in commanding form and Kuipers was never directly tested again by a home side whose play-off hopes took a knock on the back of this result. Pilgrims (4-3-3): Kuipers; Canoville, White, Ellender, McCann; Rusk (Clarke 48), Greaves, Holland (Galbraith 90); Dudfield, Joachim (Maylett 87), Thomas. Subs (not used): Melton, Chinn.
Monday April 10, 2006 (Lincolnshire Senior Cup final)
Boston United	2	Scunthorpe United	1
Thomas 5 Till 22		Ryan 33
Boston United lifted the Lincolnshire Senior Cup thanks to a 2-1 victory over Scunthorpe at York Street on a night when both sides fielded a mixture of first teamers, reserves and youth team players. Crisply-taken first half goals from Danny Thomas (five minutes) and Peter Till (22) — both shots from close to the edge of the box — put the Pilgrims in control. However, Scunthorpe halved the deficit on 33 minutes when Ritchie Ryan steered the ball in from a Joe Wilcox cross. And although the visitors arguably had the better of exchanges in the second half, they were unable to pierce the Boston back line again as the Pilgrims hung on to lift the silverware — even though they lost Stewart Talbot (recurrence of ankle injury) and Peter Till (calf) during the second period. Pilgrims (4-4-2): Wright; Edkins, Silk, Clarke, Brooks; Melton, Chinn, Talbot (Norris 48), Galbraith; Till (Harper 83), Thomas. Subs (not used): Stevens, Cook, Doughty (gk).
Saturday April 8, 2006 (League Two)
Leyton Orient	2	Boston United	0
Lockwood 51 (pen) Connor 89
Boston United’s lack of away goal power was again evident as they slipped totally out of the play-offs picture with defeat at the hands of promotion-chasing Leyton Orient. The Os’ match-winning goals came via a 51^st minute penalty netted by Matt Lockwood after Alan White had fouled Paul Connor and then a minute from full-time when Lockwood crossed from the left and Connor fired low past Michael Kuipers from 10 yards. Arguably, though, that double blow was tough on the Pilgrims who had enjoyed plenty of pressure in the first half with Lawrie Dudfield twice firing wide and Connor having to clear a dangerous corner by Brad Maylett—these moments coming after Lee Canoville had fired a ninth minute shot against the home bar. In reply, Orient also rattled the goal frame via a Gary Alexander 30^th minute effort. Another Alexander shot and an effort by Michael Simpson tested Kuipers. After falling behind early in the second half, United rallied well but had cause to curse poor finishing from Julian Joachim (shot) and White (header) at times when an equaliser looked probable. But the issue was settled when the Os grabbed their second goal in the dying moments, leaving the Pilgrims with another away-day blank to their names in a season that has yielded just 14 league goals on their League Two travels. Pilgrims (4-4-2): Kuipers; Canoville, Ellender, White, McCann; Maylett (Till 76), Rusk, Greaves, Holland (Thomas 76); Joachim, Dudfield. Subs (not used) Hall, Clarke, Silk.
Saturday April 1, 2006 (League Two)
Boston United	2	Barnet	1
Dudfield 16 Greaves 35		Roache 73
Boston United ended a run of three straight losses to edge above the 50 points total for the season, thanks to a hard-fought victory over Barnet at York Street. On a day blighted by a early downpour and a significant end-to-end wind, the Pilgrims were the dominant force in the first half. With the elements in their favour, United went ahead on 16 minutes when Alan White turned an Austin McCann free-kick back across goal for Lawrie Dudfield to volley in. The 35^th minute brought another goal when Brad Maylett’s hoisted free-kick from the left evaded keeper Ross Flitney and enabled Mark Greaves to head unchallenged into the net. Long spells of the second half were spent with neither side really threatening further inroads, although Dudfield was thwarted by a brave save from Flitney. Barnet, though, lifted their game with the 70^th minute introduction of substitute Lee Roache. And he put more life into the visitors’ play when creating space on the edge of the home area before angling a low shot past Michel Kuipers to make it 2-1. Barnet threw men forward in search of a late equaliser. But United — nervously at times — successfully held on. Pilgrims (4-4-2): Kuipers; Canoville, White, Ellender, McCann; Maylett (Hall 90), Rusk, Greaves, Holland; Dudfield (Thomas 81), Joachim (Clarke 90). Subs (not used): Galbraith, Silk.
Wednesday March 29, 2006 (League Two)
Boston United	1	Chester City	3
Rusk 88		Asamoah 43, 51, 61
Arguably, this was Boston United’s poorest showing of a season that is rapidly spiralling into a nosedive conclusion. The Pilgrims were woeful from start to finish in virtually all departments and lacked any real style or cohesion as they slipped tamely to defeat against a Chester side with even worse current statistics than Premiership whipping boys Sunderland. They came to York Street having crashed to the bottom of the League Two table on the back of just one win, one draw and 15 defeats from their last 17 league outings. But the Pilgrims allowed their opponents to look world-beaters. And a fourth loss in five games buried totally all Boston talk of play-off aspirations. Up to Simon Rusk’s 88^th minute consolation goal, all that United had to show for their aimless efforts was a 12^th minute off-target drive by Austin McCann. In between Chester ran the show with a David Artell header and Jake Edwards shot forcing home keeper Michel Kuipers into good saving action. But Kuipers turned villain on 43 minutes when, in a total mix-up with team-mate Lee Canoville, the pair let Derek Asamoah stroll through to walk the ball into an empty net. The same player added Chester’s second goal six minutes after the break, firing in after Artell had headed down Ben Davies’ corner. And Asamoah completed his hat-trick in the 61^st minute when skipping through a brittle home back line. Boston were shattered and had little to offer in response. Rusk did his bit to score after a neat shuffle round Chris Mackenzie in the dying throes. And moments later Lawrie Dudfield was thwarted by the Chester keeper’s legs when clean through. But nothing could mask over a dreadful home show in front of York Street’s lowest ever League Two attendance of just 1,651. Pilgrims (4-4-2): Kuipers; Silk, Canoville, Greaves, McCann; Maylett (Till 46), Rusk, Clarke, Holland (Thomas 46); Joachim, Dudfield. Subs (not used): White, Hall, Melton.
Saturday March 25, 2006 (League Two)
Carlisle United	4	Boston United	2
Lumsden 2 Hawley 20 Hackney 75, 90		Billy 63 (og) Rusk 84
Boston United’s play-off hopes suffered another damaging blow with defeat away to table-topping Carlisle who, in the process, completed a league double over the Pilgrims. It was a reverse Steve Evans’ men could scarcely afford. And despite rallying well after the break, early defensive lapses ultimately proved a decisive factor in their eighth away League Two loss of the season. Boston fell behind in the second minute when Paul Arnison crossed from the left. The ball eluded Alan White and Michael Bridges headed back into the danger area where Chris Lumsdon fired high into the net. The Pilgrims were visibly shaken and fell 2-0 behind on 20 minutes when, from a corner on the left by Lumsdon, the ball dropped invitingly for an unmarked Karl Hawley to back-heel in from close range. Boston halved the deficit in the 63^rd minute when a Jamie Clarke corner and subsequent attempted cross by Austin McCann were both cleared before the former whipped over a low, driven centre which Chris Billy diverted into his own net. The Pilgrims lifted their game and for a while had Carlisle struggling to hang on—with Lawrie Dudfield (shot) and Chris Holland (cross) both going close to providing an equaliser. However, the home side hit back and went 3-1 up when Simon Hackney showed good pace and power to break through the Boston rearguard before firing past Michel Kuipers. Boston, though, kept themselves in contention and ensured a rip-roaring finish when Simon Rusk smashed the ball in on 84 minutes from six yards amid a scramble created by another decent spell of pressure. The home side had to withstand some further uneasy moments in the dying stages — including a stoppage time free-kick when Boston piled every player (plus Kuipers) into the home area. The ball was cleared and, with the visitors having no-one back, Hackney helped himself to a last-kick fourth Carlisle goal by rolling the ball in from 25 yards. Pilgrims (4-4-2): Kuipers; Silk (Till 86), White, Canoville, McCann; Rusk, Hall (Maylett 46), Clarke, Holland (Thomas 85); Joachim, Dudfield. Subs (not used): Greaves, Melton.
Wednesday March 22, 2006 (League Two)
Boston United	0	Northampton Town	1
		Johnson 79
A goal 11 minutes from time dealt a jolt to Boston United’s play-off ambitions while at the same time fuelling the automatic elevation hopes of York Street visitors Northampton. The outcome, though, was tough on the Pilgrims who had held the upper hand for lengthy phases of play — albeit without the required killer touch in front of the target. United had calls for a second minute penalty waved away by referee Neil Swarbrick after Julian Joachim tumbled under a challenge from Luke Chambers. Joachim went close to giving Boston the lead on 26 minutes, but his left-foot shot after a 40-yard run was held by Lee Harper. It took Northampton until the 37^th minute to produce a worthwhile attack. But then Michel Kuipers had to block well in quick succession from snap-shots by Jason Crowe and Martin Smith. United went close twice more around the hour mark. First Simon Rusk got on the end of a great chipped pass by Jamie Clarke and then Peter Till fired in a drive from Austin McCann’s left wing cross. But each time Harper produced good saves. The visitors never really exerted any sustained pressure, but found a breakthrough in the 79^th minute when Smith crossed from the left flank and former Boston man Gavin Johnson appeared to get the final touch after the ball ricocheted off a couple of players. United tried to hit back, but once again were unable to pierce a resolute Town rearguard. Pilgrims (4-4-2): Kuipers; Silk (Maylett 81), White, Canoville, McCann; Till (Melton 89), Rusk, Clarke, Holland; Joachim, Dudfield (Thomas 75). Subs (not used): Hall, Greaves.
Saturday March 18, 2006 (League Two)
Boston United	2	Lincoln City	1
Joachim 26 Dudfield 90		M Robinson 65
County bragging rights firmly belong to Boston United fans after a dramatic stoppage time victory over arch rivals Lincoln City. The Pilgrims conquered derby opponents Lincoln City courtesy of goals from strike duo Julian Joachim and Lawrie Dudfield, victory taking United’s haul of points against the Imps to four out of a possible six this term. And this York Street result also smashed Lincoln’s unbeaten run of 12 matches. Boston were the dominant force in the first half but only had Joachim’s 26^th minute goal to show for their efforts. He stabbed in after Dudfield’s close range shot bounced off the underside of the bar after Chris Holland had headed firmly across goal from a free-kick on the right by Jamie Clarke. Two other noteworthy shots from Peter Till were well saved by City keeper Alan Marriott. After the interval, however, Lincoln camped in United’s half for long periods. But it wasn’t until the 65^th minute that substitute Marvin Robinson (just on for the injured Simon Yeo) swivelled to hit a spectacular equaliser. After that it seemed a draw was the most likely outcome. However, United rallied late on. Danny Thomas and Joachim both saw shots pushed away by Marriott. And then from a Clarke corner deep in added time, Alan White headed down and Dudfield jubilantly lashed the ball into the roof of the net from eight yards. Pilgrims: (4-4-2): Kuipers; Silk, White, Canoville, McCann; Till, Talbot, Clarke, Holland (Thomas 87); Joachim, Dudfield (Hall 90). Subs (not used): Maylett, McSporran, Melton.
Saturday March 11, 2006 (League Two)
Mansfield Town	5	Boston United	0
Barker 43 Greaves (og) 47 Reet 51 Uhlenbeek 63 Brown (pen) 83
Boston United suffered their worst away-day drubbing in four seasons as a Football League club. The Pilgrims were simply never at the races and seldom imposed themselves as a threatening force at Field Mill. They went behind to a goal just before the break and then simply fell apart in the second half and leaked goal alarmingly to suffer their first-ever League Two away loss by more than a three-goal margin. In the process they tumbled to a reverse that equalled their poorest result over the past four campaigns (a 5-0 home drubbing by Carlisle in January). It was all a hugely forgettable day for the faithful fans who had travelled in hope but who sat and suffered in anguish as events unfolded. Richie Barker put Mansfield in front moments before the interval. And any hopes of a Boston recovery were demolished soon after the break when first Mark Greaves stabbed a Gus Uhlenbeek cross into his own net quickly followed by a third home goal when Danny Reet skipped through to score. In the 63^rd minute Uhlenbeek got on the scoresheet with a neat far post finish from a cross on the right. Boston conceded a fifth in the 83^rd minute when David Galbraith tripped Simon Brown in the area and the Stags man picked himself up to drill home from the resultant penalty. It might have been even worse for Boston but for a Laurence Wilson shot rebounding away off a post. Throughout the whole 90 minutes, United never really showed themselves as an attacking force and veteran home keeper Kevin Pressman was seldom given any anxious moments. United were left in 15^th place in the table, treading water nine points adrift of the last play-off slot and nine points above the two relegation places. Pilgrims: (4-4-2): Kuipers; Silk (Melton 56), Greaves, White, Canoville; Rusk, Hall, Talbot (Galbraith 56), Till; Dudfield (McSporran 79), Joachim. Subs (not used): McCann, Clarke.
Saturday March 4, 2006 (League Two)
Boston United	v	Northampton Town
MATCH POSTPONED part-frozen pitch
Saturday February 25, 2006 (League Two)
Stockport County	0	Boston United	1
		Joachim 67
Julian Joachim’s 14^th goal of the season earned Boston United their third away triumph of the campaign at the expense of what was an in-form Stockport side making progress from the basement area of the League Two table. But their recovery hit a setback against the Pilgrims who dominated for long spells and merited victory by much more than a one-goal margin. However, the three points netted helped United climb back into the top half of the table and sit within seven points of the play-off (with a match in hand). In the first half Boston created a plentiful supply of chances. Early on Simon Rusk saw a header saved by Jamie Spencer while shots from Asa Hall and Stuart Talbot flew too high. Towards the interval further efforts from Joachim and 27^th minute substitute Jermaine McSporran flashed inches wide. Stockport never troubled keeper Michel Kuipers and the pattern continued after the break, notably when Lawrie Dudfield drilled a fraction off target. County had their first moment of pressure in the 63^rd minute, but Alan White denied Le Fondre with a fine tackle. And four minutes later Boston went ahead. Dudfield did well to win and retain possession before feeding Rusk out wide and his centre fell invitingly for Joachim to flick home a header at the far post. Stockport finally managed to get a toehold on proceedings and exerted a measure of late attacking work. But Mark Greaves kept the United rearguard well marshalled while Kuipers also produced a couple of important punches clear. Right at the death the home side went close to levelling in a goalmouth scramble. But Boston held on for a well-deserved maximum points haul. Pilgrims: (4-4-2): Kuipers; Silk, Greaves, White, Canoville (McSporran27), Rusk, Hall, Talbot (Thomas 79), Holland Dudfield, Joachim (Clarke 87). Subs (not used): Till, Maylett.
Saturday February 18, 2006 (League Two)
Boston United	1	Wycombe Wanderers	1
Joachim 56		Betsy 71
Arguably a share of the spoils was the banker bet before kick-off as two of League Two’s draw specialists met at York Street. And so it turned out. A point apiece merely enabled both sides to consolidate their respective positions in the table. And from a Boston perspective, there was perhaps a touch of disappointment on losing ground in the race for play-off spots. In the early stages, returning home keeper Michel Kuipers made a good save from an Ian Stonebridge shot. Boston replied and Julian Joachim fluffed a good chance with only Frank Talia to beat. But Wycombe carried plenty of threat, notably with Tommy Mooney crashing a shot against the home bar and then Sergio Torres almost squeezing a weak shot under Kuipers — the ball bouncing back to the custodian after bobbling off a post. In the second half Kuipers made a much more confident save from Torres and on 56 minutes the Pilgrims went ahead when Lawrie Dudfield cut the ball back for Joachim to score unmarked from 10 yards. Wycombe, though, equalised on 71 minutes when Dean Bowditch fed the ball in from the right and Kevin Betsy wriggled past two challenges before firing high into the net. After that, Kuipers made two more good saves but then United forced their way back into the reckoning with a late flourish which culminated with Joachim flicking the ball for a clean through Dudfield. But he was left frustrated when Talia pulled off an amazing blocking save to keep the scores level. Pilgrims: (4-4-2): Kuipers; Silk, Canoville, Greaves, McCann: Till (Maylett 46), Clarke, Talbot (Hall 64), Holland (Thomas 78); Dudfield, Joachim. Subs (not used): White, Rusk.
Wednesday February 15, 2006 (League Two)
Boston United	v	Chester City
MATCH POSTPONED waterlogged pitch
Saturday February 11, 2006 (League Two)
Grimsby Town	1	Boston United	0
Reddy 72
It was hard to work out exactly how Boston United failed to leave Blundell Park with no reward from an afternoon in which they outplayed a promotion-chasing Grimsby side — the result even propelling the Mariners into top spot in the League Two table. For long spells, the Pilgrims held the upper hand but all too often missed good chances at critical times. In the first half Jamie Clarke forced keeper Steve Mildenhall into a good save with a long distance effort. And then James Keene (on his farewell appearance before heading to Sweden) might have done better than shoot off target when clean through with only the keeper to beat. And just before the break, substitute Simon Rusk (on for the injured Stewart Talbot) glanced a header wide. In the 54^th minute Keene broke clear again only to have his effort blocked by the advancing Mildenhall who appeared to handle outside the area. But no free-kick was given, much to the dismay of United boss Steve Evans who found himself escorted from the stadium by a police officer after the intervention of a senior steward, allegedly over abusive language used from the Boston dugout. Evans was forced to spend the remainder of the match outside the confines of the ground on the United team coach. In his absence, Paul Raynor and Steve Welsh oversaw the Boston performance that continued to yield chances. But the likes of Julian Joachim, Asa Hall and Keene again all missed out. It was from a rare moment of home attacking pressure that the game was decided. And Andy Parkinson cross diverted upwards off Lee Canoville and fell to Michael Reddy whose return drive took a slight deflection en route past a helpless Conrad Logan. Right at the death, United rescued a point, but Joachim again lacked accuracy in front of target. Pilgrims: (4-4-2): Logan; Silk, Canoville, Greaves (Hall 46), McCann (Thomas 77); Till, Clarke, Talbot (Rusk 29), Holland; Keene, Joachim. Subs (not used): Dudfield, Maylett.
Saturday February 4, 2006 (League Two)
Boston United	0	Darlington	0
For the second time this season Boston United and Darlington battled out a 0-0 League Two draw. But this encounter at York Street still packed plenty of decent football from both sides. Overall, the Pilgrims arguably had the better of exchanges — particularly in the first half — and possibly merited more than a share of the spoils for their efforts. In the opening exchanges Boston looked purposeful and went close with two James Keene shots, a drive by Chris Holland following a mazy run by Peter Till who also fired in an effort which flew too high. Throughout the first period Darlington never seriously threatened keeper Conrad Logan. For a while after the break the visitors stepped up their game but had few clear opportunities, their best moment coming from a shot from distance by Joe Kendrick which flashed inches wide in the 68^th minute. Boston rallied in the later stages and went close when Julian Joachim saw one angled drive blocked, Austin McCann forced keeper Sam Russell to save with a long-range effort and Lee Canoville headed over from a corner. Substitute Brad Maylett also had penalty claims waved aside when tumbling under a challenge from Matt Clarke. But nothing ran favourably for United for whom an all-square outcome represented their 14^th League Two draw of the campaign. Pilgrims: (4-4-2): Logan; Silk, Canoville, Greaves, McCann; Till (Maylett 55), Clarke (Rusk 82), Talbot, Holland; Keene (Dudfield 82), Joachim. Subs (not used): Ellender, Hall.
Saturday January 28, 2006 (League Two)
Rochdale	1	Boston United	1
Griffiths 30		Keene 8
James Keene struck a milestone goal for Boston United when netting in the eighth minute of this League Two clash away to Rochdale. It was the Pilgrims’ first goal in four visits to Spotland. And although not enough to earn maximum spoils, it at least helped United to earn a share of the spoils and prise their first point from the Lancashire venue. Keene’s early strike came when burying the ball at the far post, converting a Mark Greaves cross-shot after Lee Canoville had flicked on a free-kick out on the right by Gary Silk. The home side, though, hit back with a 30^th minute equaliser when Gareth Griffiths headed in from a Ricky Lambert corner. Boston responded and Keene and Julian Joachim both saw home keeper Matt Gilks produce good saves to deny them the chance of restoring the Pilgrims’ lead. The second half was generally a much tighter affair with neither side able to create much in the way of genuinely dangerous moments. However, Lambert went close for Dale when latching onto a through pass and chipping over Conrad Logan. But the ball bounced wide of the United net off the outside of a post. Pilgrims: (4-4-2): Logan; Silk, Canoville, Greaves, McCann; Till (Maylett 90), Hall (Rusk 82), Talbot, Holland; Keene (Dudfield 87), Joachim. Subs (not used): Ellender, Galbraith.
Saturday January 21, 2006 (League Two)
Boston United	3	Bury	1
Joachim 27, 32 (pen) Till 60		Canoville 38 (og)
Julian Joachim ended his nine-match barren streak with two goals that helped fire Boston United to three valuable points. He was on target in the 27^th minute when stabbing the ball over the line after keeper Anthony Williams had dropped a corner by new recruit Jamie Clarke. Five minutes later Joachim took responsibility from the penalty spot and blasted in after Colin Woodthorpe upended Peter Till in the area. Before Joachim’s double strike, the Pilgrims had gone close on other occasions — the best seeing Till head wide from a cross by livewire James Keene who was later denied by Williams when trying to round the bury custodian. At 2-0 United were cruising, but probably bargained with a lucky goal getting the visitors back in the game when Allan Smart’s right wing cross hit Lee Canoville and diverted past Conrad Logan. But Boston creditably kept the upper hand and sealed the game in the 60^th minute when Joachim threaded a pass through for Till to do a neat shuffle and then plant home his first goal in United colours. At that stage the game was done and dusted and the subsequent half-hour yielded little in the way of close calls for either side. Pilgrims: (4-4-2): Logan; Silk, Greaves, Canoville, McCann; Till, Clarke (Hall 87), Talbot (Rusk 52), Holland; Joachim, Keene (Maylett 70). Subs (not used): Ellender, Thomas.
Wednesday January 18, 2006 (League Two)
Boston United	0	Carlisle United	5
		Hawley 5, 90 Bridges 57, 64, 80
Complete destruction! Boston United totally capitulated with a woeful second 45-minute display as Carlisle helped themselves to three League Two points that will boost their own promotion ambitions. The Pilgrims can have no complaints about the visitors’ success, but fans will probably be wondering just how Boston could cave in so hopelessly after turning in a good first half performance in which they enjoyed plenty of sustained pressure, despite falling behind to a fifth minute strike by the Cumbrians’ top scorer Karl Hawley. James Keene (three times), Simon Rusk, Austin McCann and Lee Canoville all missed the target by inches with firm shots while Stewart Talbot came close to sliding the ball in only to be denied by a last-gasp clearance from Danny Livesey. But after the break the Pilgrims were simply shambolic. Former Premiership star Michael Bridges squeezed a shot in off Conrad Logan’s hand in the 57^th minute and soon afterwards cracked an angled left-foot stunner in off the far post. A 20-yard free-kick saw him complete a hat-trick on 80 minutes and in the final moments Hawley threaded in a 12-yard shot to complete an embarrassing rout. It was Boston’s biggest home defeat since losing 6-0 at York Street to Runcorn in an October 1988 Conference match, their heaviest loss as a Football League club and biggest reverse of any kind since tumbling 8-0 at Bath with an injury-ravaged team towards the end of the 1997-98 Dr Martens League campaign. Pilgrims: (4-4-2): Logan; Canoville, White, Ellender, McCann; Till, Rusk (Holland 68), Talbot, Galbraith (Hall 64); Joachim, Keene (Dudfield 56). Subs (not used): Silk, Maylett.
Saturday January 14, 2006 (League Two)
Chester City	0	Boston United	1
		Rusk 82
Midfielder Simon Rusk bagged his second goal of the season to victorious effect for Boston United. He struck eight minutes from time when burst into the penalty area and flicked in a good cross from the right by Alan White. It was great reward for a player who turned in an energetic 90 minutes for the Pilgrims’ cause. And from a team viewpoint, the win Rusk’s goal earned helped to keep United in touch with the League Two play-off zone. Apart from the goal, the match never really reached any great heights — although of the pressure and chances created Boston arguably shaded both counts. Clear opportunities were generally at a premium, although home keeper Stephane Gillet had to save well from a first half free-kick by Rusk and a low drive by debutant Jamie Keene (on loan from Portsmouth) who also had good calls for a penalty waved away. He was one of five players aged 21 or under in the Boston squad with subs Peter Till and Gary Silk having been added to the fold in 48 hours before kick-off. After the break, best moments for Boston saw Rusk and Till both test Gillett before the former broke through. Then in the dying stages, home new boy Derek Asamoah had a good chance to level but his poor touch allowed keeper Conrad Logan to smother the ball and safely protect a valuable clean sheet. Pilgrims: (4-4-2): Logan; Canoville, White, Ellender, McCann; Rusk, Hall (Till 55), Talbot, Galbraith (Holland 70); Joachim, Keene (Silk 87). Subs (not used): Dudfield, Maylett.
Saturday January 7, 2006 (League Two)
Boston United	3	Macclesfield Town	1
Talbot 15 Canoville 32 Ellender 82		Parkin 47
Boston United bagged their first win in seven League Two outings and shattered Macclesfield’s 10-match unbeaten record in the process. The Pilgrims went ahead in the 15^th minute when Stewart Talbot netted for the second match in a row, firing in from the edge of the box via a helpful looping deflection following good build-up work by early debutant substitute Asa Hall and David Galbraith. Keeper Conrad Logan made a great save when tipping a Danny Whitaker shot against the bar. Soon afterwards — on 32 minutes — Lee Canoville ventured forward and fired an angled shot goalwards. Keeper Alan Fettis parried the upwards but could only look round as the spin carried it over the line. Macclesfield hit back when Jon Parkin headed in from Kevin Sandwith’s corner. But despite weathering a few spells of pressure, the Pilgrims showed good resolve and sealed victory with Paul Ellender’s first goal of the season on 82 minutes when netting with a neat flicked volley from Galbraith’s low corner. Pilgrims: (4-4-2): Logan; Canoville, White, Ellender, McCann; Rusk, Holland (Hall 6), Talbot, Galbraith (Thomas 90); Joachim (Maylett 90), Dudfield. Subs (not used): Futcher, Greaves.
Monday January 2, 2006 (League Two)
Boston United	1	Leyton Orient	2
Talbot 50		Ibhere 43 Alexander 60
Stewart Talbot’s first goal in Boston United colours wasn’t enough to stave off defeat against high-riding Leyton Orient. The Pilgrims’ skipper struck in the 50^th minute with a tidy 18-yard shot-on-the-turn after visiting keeper Glyn Garner had flapped at trying to punch clear danger following a David Galbraith corner. The goal briefly drew United level after Jabo Ibhere had given the Os a 43^rd minute lead with a low finish past Conrad Logan after fending off Paul Ellender in pursuit of a through pass by Justin Miller. However, on the hour, the Londoners regained the lead when Gary Alexander netted from close range following an almighty scramble in the home area in which Logan had performed heroics in blocking three Orient shots while Mark Greaves also made a vital tackle in the same mad-cap melee. Either side of the triple scoring bout, the Pilgrims enjoyed decent phases of possession and territorial advantage. But as in several of their previous outings, the lack of clear chances proved their undoing. The result left United 17^th in the League Two table and in the no-man’s land area of five points off the final play-off place and eight points above the relegation spots. Pilgrims: (4-4-2): Logan; Greaves, White (McCann 46), Ellender, Canoville; Maylett, Rusk, Talbot, Galbraith (Lee 69), Green (Dudfield 46), Joachim. Subs (not used): Holland, Thomas.
Saturday December 31, 2005 (League Two)
Barnet	1	Boston United	0
Lee 47
Boston United’s first League Two trip to the Underhill home of Barnet ended in disappointment as they tumbled by a solitary goal, netted two minutes after the break by Barnet’s Dwane Lee with an unmarked header from a cross delivered by Dean Sinclair whose original corner had been partially cleared back to the goal provider. United had enjoyed the better of exchanges when playing down the famously sloping pitch. But all too often they were unable to find a finishing touch to several decent moves. Barnet had much the better of the second period and once ahead, they seldom looked like surrendering their lead even though Boston threw on three attack-minded substitutes in a bid to hit back. United went closest with two efforts by Francis Green (one an overhead kick from an Austin McCann free-kick which was cleared off the line) and a low off-target shot by Lawrie Dudfield — but all to no avail. At the other end, Barnet threatened on a couple of occasions, but their efforts met with no success with loanee United keeper Conrad Logan producing a couple of important saves. The Pilgrims, who lost skipper Stewart Talbot to an injury sustained in the pre-match warm-up, have now won only once in their last eight league matches. During this time they have scored only five goals, and subsequently find themselves in the bottom half of the table. Pilgrims: (4-4-2): Logan; Canoville, White (Lee 62), Ellender, McCann; Green, Rusk, Holland, Thomas (Maylett 82); Dudfield (Whelan 72), Joachim. Subs (not used): Galbraith, Greaves.
Wednesday December 28, 2005 (League Two)
Boston United	v	Carlisle United
MATCH POSTPONED snow covered pitch
Monday December 26, 2005 (League Two)
Lincoln City	0	Boston United	0
For the fourth season in a row, derby day at Sincil Bank ended with the honours being shared. And on the balance of play in a high-tempo and few-frills encounter, a point apiece was about a fair result. Lincoln will probably point to the fact they had a lot of territorial advantage. But the Pilgrims had what looked a clear penalty call turned down in the 32^nd minute when Lawrie Dudfield appeared to have his shirt pulled by Gareth McAuley. However, referee Scott Mathieson waved play on. Of the best moments that arose, Boston had a Chris Holland shot saved by Alan Marriott in the 23^rd minute and then Stewart Talbot drilled inches too high just before the break. In reply, former United striker Richard Logan and Derek Asamoah both saw efforts well saved by Pilgrims’ debutant keeper Conrad Logan. After the break, Lincoln went close again when Richard Logan fired wide after bursting through unchallenged. And later on Conrad Logan expertly held shots by Paul Mayo and Nat Brown. Boston had a couple of bright moments. First, on 63 minutes, Holland played a short corner to Danny Thomas whose cross was knocked down by Paul Ellender for Talbot to test Marriott. And near the final whistle, Julian Joachim broke clear but wanted too much time to get in a shot and a last-gasp chance to break the deadlock was lost. Pilgrims: (4-4-2): C Logan; Canoville, White, Ellender, McCann; Rusk, Talbot, Holland, Thomas; Joachim, Dudfield. Subs (not used): Futcher, Maylett, Lee, Galbraith, Whelan.
Saturday December 17, 2005 (League Two)
Boston United	0	Cheltenham Town	0
Boston United endured the frustration of seeing four efforts hit the goal frame as fellow play-off hopefuls Cheltenham somehow clung to a goalless draw at York Street. In addition, the Pilgrims’ hopes were further denied by a goalline clearance and a clutch of excellent saves by Robins’ keeper Shane Higgs. It wasn’t totally one-way traffic as Cheltenham had a few bright moments of their own. But on the balance of play, United still merited far more than just one point. They looked bright from the start and Higgs saved well from Julian Joachim and Alan White inside the first 12 minutes. In the 20^th minute Joachim saw a shot diverted away of Higgs’ legs. Just before the interval both sides went close. Kayode Odejayi tested Michel Kuipers after breaking clear and in response Joachim was denied when Shane Duff hacked off the line. Lady Luck refused to smile for Boston in the second half with shots from Francis Green, Chris Holland and Lawrie Dudfield hitting the same upright plus a header by Mark Greaves crashing away off the bar. Cheltenham’s best moment was a 68^th minute free-kick by Brian Wilson which Kuipers did well to block. Right at the death, Boston had claims for a stoppage time penalty when Joachim appeared to be baulked by Duff and Gavin Caines. But Hull ref Paul Robinson waved play on. Pilgrims: (4-4-2): Kuipers; Greaves, White, Ellender, Canoville (McCann 57); Maylett (Dudfield 64), Talbot, Holland, Thomas; Joachim, Green. Subs (not used): Whelan, Lee, Futcher.
Saturday December 10, 2005 (League Two)
Shrewsbury Town	1	Boston United	1
Hope 2		Whelan 89
Ten-man Boston United remarkably salvaged a last-gasp point at Shrewsbury with a strike by substitute Noel Whelan. The result, to a degree, preserved their interest in the play-offs race and was arguably the least United deserved for plenty of possession. However, their task was not helped by the 64^th minute dismissal of Simon Rusk after he appeared to make comments to the referee having earlier received a yellow card for a foul. It was the second time in a week that the Pilgrims had been left to battle with 10 men. They got off to the worst possible start when falling a goal behind inside two minutes. Kevin Sharp delivered a free-kick into United’s area, the ball rebounded off the bar and home player Richard Hope was quickest to react, bundling the ball over the line. Boston tried to answer and in Danny Thomas they found a useful attacking channel. He got in a couple of dangerous crosses, but there was no end product. Boston’s best chance came on 36 minutes when Francis Green blasted wide with an angled volley after the home rearguard got in a tangle. The second half was seven minutes old when Green burst clear again. But once more he fired wide when his shooting chance opened up. United boss Steve Evans made an attacking substitution by introducing Noel Whelan. But soon afterwards Rusk got his marching orders to leave his team-mates facing an uphill task. But late sub Brad Maylett cut past two defenders on 89 minutes and drew a parrying save from keeper Joe Hart. The ball fell to Whelan who dispatched a shot into the roof of the net. Shrewsbury rallied, but United keeper Michel Kuipers made two superb saves in stoppage time to ensure a share of the spoils. Pilgrims: (4-4-2): Kuipers; Canoville, White, Ellender, McCann (Whelan 57); Rusk, Greaves (Maylett 75), Holland, Thomas (Galbraith 77); Joachim, Green. Subs (not used): Dudfield, Lee.
Tuesday December 6, 2005 (League Two)
Wycombe Wanderers	1	Boston United	1
Bloomfield 71		Green 21
Boston United came within 19 minutes of inflicting Wycombe’s first league defeat of the season. But the strain of playing the whole of the second half with just 10 men arguably weighed against them in the final reckoning. A 21^st minute goal by full debutant Francis Green — bursting through and shooting in after dispossessing Rob Lee — gave the Pilgrims a dream start. And for a while they looked more than capable of adding to their score. But in the minutes leading up to the break, referee Steve Dorr began flashing yellow cards around in a match that never remotely looked like boiling over. Unfortunately for United, two of the cautions went to skipper Stewart Talbot, leaving Boston to try and negotiate a full 45 minutes with just 10 men. Gallantly they resisted manfully for a large portion of the second half with Paul Ellender, Alan White and keeper Michel Kuipers notable barriers to Wycombe’s mounting pressure. But on 71 minutes a shot from the edge of the box by Matt Bloomfield levelled the scores. But United managed to keep their composure to battle on for a fully merited share of the spoils. United went into the match minus hamstring strain victim Julian Joachim and manager Steve Evans rang six changes from the line-up which started against Doncaster. Pilgrims: (4-4-2): Kuipers; Canoville, White, Ellender, McCann; Rusk, Talbot, Holland, Thomas (Galbraith 84); Dudfield (Maylett 65), Green (Whelan 77). Subs (not used):  Lee, Futcher.
Sunday December 4, 2005 (FA Cup)
Boston United	1	Doncaster Rovers	2
Futcher 90		Mulligan 29, 58
Boston United had to admit second best to League One side Doncaster and bowed out of the FA Cup as a result. The Pilgrims were never quite able to match the free-flowing football of their opponents and missed out on the “prize” of a third round away draw against either Bristol Rovers or Port Vale. Doncaster effectively won the game on the strength of almost identical 25-yard free-kicks by Dave Mulligan on 29 and 58 minutes — both curled accurately over the defensive wall and past a blameless Chris Wright who, at other times, had to be alert to save well from Sean Thornton and Paul Heffernan. Boston’s best moment in the first half saw Jason Lee force a good save from Jan Budtz with a downward header. Then later in the second half, United had their best spell with Lee (header) and Danny Thomas (shot) both being thwarted by Budtz while Lee also spooned another effort over the bar from a Julian Joachim pull-back. A crumb of consolation came two minutes into stoppage time when Ben Futcher bundled the ball in from a Lawrie Dudfield cross. But it was all too late to spark hopes of at least a replay. Pilgrims (4-4-2): Wright; Canoville, Futcher, White, McCann (Dudfield 81); Maylett, Talbot, Holland, Galbraith (Thomas 63); Lee, Joachim. Subs (not used): Ellender, Whelan, Norris.
Saturday November 26, 2005 (League Two)
Boston United	2	Wrexham	1
Joachim 14, 66		McEvilly 60
Two brilliant moments of classy goalscoring technique by Julian Joachim fired Boston United to a welcome three-point League Two haul. The Pilgrims’ front man put his team ahead in the 14^th minute when showing sharp reactions to accept a threaded pass from Jason Lee, round keeper Michael Ingham and slot in. But Wrexham equalised in the 60^th minute when Lee McEvilly was put clear by Darren Ferguson and he gave home debutant keeper Michel Kuipers no chance. Boston, though, were not to be denied and six minutes later Lee Canoville set Joachim free on another charge. This time he cut across field from the left, had defenders trailing in his wake and fired past Ingham from the edge of the box. Late in the game United had to weather some anxious moments. McEvilly tumbled in the area over a 71^st minute challenge by Kuipers with referee Paul Melin waving away penalty appeals. Then close to full time, Mark Greaves nodded clear from close to his own line from a Mark Jones shot. And almost on the whistle gangling Wrexham defender Dennis Lawrence ventured forward and fired a thunderbolt goalwards. Miraculously, Alan White somehow managed to produce a brilliant headed clearance from an awkward position right under his own bar to preserve United’s lead. On a cold day, though, only 1,938 fans turned out to see United climb back to 10^th in the table. Pilgrims: 4-4-2: Kuipers; Greaves, White, Futcher, Canoville; Maylett (Green 90), Rusk, Talbot, Ross (Galbraith 88); Lee, Joachim (Dudfield 90). Subs (not used): Ellender, Holland.
Wednesday November 23, 2005 (LDV Vans Trophy)
Boston United	0	Kidderminster Harriers	3
		Christie 25, 28 Blackwood 39
Abysmal, insipid, tripe. Call it what you like. Boston United were swept off the LDV Vans Trophy trail by Conference strugglers Kidderminster Harriers. The Pilgrims were simply woeful in the first half and paid the price for some shoddy play as their non-league visitors delivered three killer punches inside 15 minutes. Iyseden Christie — believed to be interesting Lincoln City — cashed in on a fumble by Nathan Abbey to fire the Harriers ahead and then chipped in another goal soon afterwards. Michael Blackwood whacked in a third six minutes before the break. United boss Steve Evans had rung five team changes to start with and made three more at half-time and Boston then at least produced a bit of venom. Ian Ross twice tested keeper Daniel Lewis and Ben Futcher saw an effort bounce away off a post. But on a frosty surface, all the damage had been done way beyond repair as the Pilgrims worryingly tumbled to their third defeat in four games. Pilgrims: 4-4-2: Abbey; Canoville, Futcher, Ellender, McCann; Ross, Holland (Maylett 46), Talbot, Thomas (Rusk 46); Whelan (Lee 46), Dudfield. Subs (not used): White, Wright (gk).
Saturday November 19, 2005 (League Two)
Boston United	1	Notts County	2
Lee 49		Alan White 7 (og) Andy White 82
Former York Street loanee Andy White shattered Boston United’s proud unbeaten home record. He netted what proved to be the winning goal eight minutes from time when a curling free-kick by Rob Ullathorne hit the Pilgrims’ net off the striker’s thigh. The goal gave the Magpies a win that avenged an earlier win by Boston at Meadow Lane by the same scoreline. In this encounter, County went ahead on seven minutes when Andy White crossed from the right. And in trying to beat Glynn Hurst to the ball, home defender Alan White inadvertently diverted it into his own net. Boston battled hard to equalise with efforts from Alan White, Simon Rusk, Julian Joachim and Brad Maylett all going close. The second half was four minutes old when Jason Lee headed Boston level from a Rusk centre. After that chances came and went at both ends with Ben Futcher (twice for United) and David Pipe (County) missing the best openings. But finally the clash was settled by Andy White’s late intervention. Pilgrims: 4-4-2: Abbey; Greaves, Futcher, White, McCann (Dudfield 84); Maylett, Rusk, Talbot, Holland (Thomas 63); Joachim, Lee. Subs (not used): Ellender, Canoville, Noble.
Wednesday November 16, 2005 (FA Cup)
Boston United	4	Swindon Town	1
Joachim 10, 23 Maylett 40 Lee 45		Fallon 82 (pen)
A stunning first half demolition job paved the way for Boston United to reach the second round of the FA Cup and earn a home tie against Doncaster Rovers on December 3. The Pilgrims set off at a relentless pace and totally outgunned their League One rivals. Julian Joachim fired United ahead in the 10^th minute after the ball fell to him following a partial clearance from a Brad Maylett cross. In the 19^th minute the visitors had keeper Tom Heaton dismissed for felling a clean-through Joachim. Jason Lee’s spot-kick was saved by replacement goalie Matt Bulman. But in the 23^rd minute Joachim cashed in on visiting defensive hesitancy to hook an 18-yard effort into the Swindon net. In the 40^th minute Maylett whacked in a low cross-shot and seconds before the break Lee stooped to nod in after Ben Futcher had headed back a Simon Rusk centre from the right. Effectively the tie was settled before the break. In the second half Swindon offered more threats as an attacking force with close calls from shots by Christian Roberts and Sean O’Hanlon. But at the other end, Joachim missed out on a hat-trick with an off-target volley from a Chris Holland cross. The only goal of the second period, however, went Swindon’s way when Rory Fallon netted from an 82^nd minute penalty after Alan White had handled. But it was far too little to affect the overall outcome. Pilgrims: 4-4-2: Abbey; Greaves, Futcher, White, McCann; Maylett, Rusk, Talbot (Noble 21), Holland; Lee (Dudfield 86), Joachim (Thomas 90). Subs (not used): Ellender, Wright (gk).
Friday November 11, 2005 (League Two)
Rushden & Diamonds	1	Boston United	0
Gulliver 90
A goal just 20 seconds from the end of three minutes stoppage time sentenced Boston United to their first defeat in 13 competitive matches. And as a result, the Pilgrims missed out on a chance to break into the League Two play-off positions. The encounter at Nene Park never hit any great heights with neither side really offering much in the way of genuine goal threats throughout the 90 minutes. Best moments for Boston came in the second half when Jason Lee saw a header cleared off the line by Rob Gier and when Julian Joachim saw a swerving drive bounce away of the arms of keeper John Ruddy. In reply, Rushden rarely gave Nathan Abbey too much to worry about, although David Bell (5 minutes) and Chris O’Grady (89) brought good saves from the United keeper with fierce drives. The match, though, was decided just seconds from time. An Andy Burgess corner was only partially cleared back to the flag-kick taker. And his return cross was powered into the Boston net off the head of Phil Gulliver. Pilgrims: 4-4-2: Abbey; Greaves, Futcher, White, Canoville; Maylett (Thomas 85), Rusk, Talbot, Ross; Joachim, Dudfield (Lee 68). Subs (not used): McCann, Holland, Ellender.
Saturday November 5, 2005 (FA Cup)
Swindon Town	2	Boston United	2
Gurney 33 Comyn-Platt 87		Rusk 25 Heaton 43 (og)
Boston United went oh so close to booking a place in the second round of the FA Cup at the first attempt. The Pilgrims led League One strugglers Swindon until three minutes from time when home substitute Charlie Comyn-Platt fired in a leveller for Swindon. But even then, the Pilgrims might still have snatched victory when Julian Joachim set up Stewart Talbot for a 12-yard shooting chance deep into stoppage time. However, home keeper Tom Heaton pulled of a good save to ensure the scores stayed level. In the first half Boston were generally the more prominent of the two sides. After a quiet start, United went ahead with a stunning 30-yard pile-driver from Simon Rusk. However, Swindon hit back with a firmly struck 33^rd minute drive from Andy Gurney that Nathan Abbey arguably might have pushed away rather than merely divert the ball into the net. But Boston got their noses back in front three minutes before the break when Talbot fired a shot beyond Heaton. The ball, though, hit a post before bouncing into the net off the keeper’s body. The second half was mostly a tale of Swindon switching tactics and enjoying the lion’s share of possession. But Boston showed great defensive resolve and looked like hanging on until those few fateful final moments. The replay at Boston will be on Wednesday November 16 (7.45pm). Pilgrims: 4-4-2: Abbey; Greaves, Futcher, White, Canoville; Maylett (Thomas 90), Rusk, Talbot, Holland; Joachim, Dudfield (Ellender 86). Subs (not used): McCann, Noble, Wright (gk).
Saturday October 29, 2005 (League Two)
Boston United	2	Torquay United	0
Ross 21 Joachim 61
Goals from Ian Ross and Julian Joachim took Boston United’s unbeaten record to 11 league and cup games and fired them up to ninth spot in the League Two table. The Pilgrims conquered a generally poor Torquay outfit who offered little in attack apart from a couple of moments to concern home keeper Nathan Abbey. After a quite opening phase, Ross fired United in front with a terrific bending free-kick from outside the box in the 21^st minute. Visiting keeper Andy Marriott provided stern resistance early in the second half when defying efforts from Alan White, Brad Maylett and impressive skipper Stewart Talbot. But he was helpless to keep out Joachim in the 61^st minute when the striker drove home from 12 yards after being put clear by a brilliant 40-yard pass from Talbot. Pilgrims: 4-4-2: Abbey; Greaves (McCann 34), White, Futcher, Canoville; Maylett, Holland (Rusk 90), Talbot, Ross; Dudfield (Lee 81), Joachim. Subs (not used): Ellender, Thomas.
Saturday October 22, 2005 (League Two)
Oxford United	0	Boston United	0
One more point and another clean sheet were added to Boston United’s credit tally. They turned in a tenacious display to blunt an Oxford side protecting an unbeaten record at the Kassam Stadium. Clear chances were always at a premium, although Boston arguably had the better of attacking exchanges with close calls from efforts by Chris Holland and Stewart Talbot before Ben Futcher had an 85^th minute header from an Ian Ross cross cleared off the home line. United keeper Nathan Abbey was rarely troubled, thanks in no small measure to some brilliant defensive organisation in front of him by Futcher and Alan White in particular. Pilgrims: 4-4-2: Abbey; Greaves, White, Futcher, Canoville; Maylett (Rusk 90), Holland, Talbot, Ross (McCann 90); Dudfield (Lee 83), Joachim. Subs (not used): Ellender, Thomas.
Wednesday October 19, 2005 (LDV Vans Trophy)
Boston United	2	Huddersfield Town	1
White 28 Maylett 74		Mirfin 68
A fourth straight competitive win saw United earn progress through to the second round of the LDV Vans Trophy against an under-strength — but still hugely talented — League One Huddersfield Town side. Boston were generally the more dominant outfit throughout and took the lead in the 28^th minute when a lofted free-kick from Ian Ross was laid on by Lawrie Dudfield for Alan White to drill home from an acute angle, for his fourth goal of the season. Early in the second half two Ross free-kicks brought Town keeper Paul Rachubka into saving action. But the visitors levelled on 68 minutes when Jonathan Worthington fed substitute David Mirfin and he slotted past the advancing Nathan Abbey. However, six minutes later United got their winner when Brad Maylett burst clear and fired beyond Rachubka from the edge of the box. Pilgrims: 4-4-2: Abbey; Greaves, White, Futcher, Canoville; Maylett (Thomas 90), Holland, Talbot, Ross; Dudfield (Lee 82), Joachim. Subs (not used): Whelan, Ellender, McCann.
Saturday October 15, 2005 (League Two)
Boston United	3	Bristol Rovers	1
Dudfield 10 Ross 52 Joachim 80		Walker 12
United made it three wins in a row as they extended their unbeaten League Two run to eight games. By virtue of their success, the Pilgrims climbed into the top half of the table for the first time this season. Even minus the services of suspended trio Nathan Abbey, Paul Ellender and Noel Whelan, Boston turned in another solid display. They went ahead in the 10^th minute with a brilliant shot-on-the-turn finish from the corner of the six-yard box by Lawrie Dudfield after collecting a Lee Canoville throw-in. But Rovers were level two minutes later when Richard Walker netted with a fine 25-yard lob shot. Boston regained the lead on 52 minutes when Ian Ross fired low into the net after seeing his initial spot-kick (awarded for a foul on Canoville by Craig Hinton) parried by keeper Scott Shearer. And the points were sealed 10 minutes from time when Julian Joachim smashed in from close range after Mark Greaves had knocked down a Ross cross. United gave a League Two debut to teenage keeper Chris Wright and despite a couple of early nervy moments, he did everything tidily— his best moment being a great low-down fingertip save from Michael Leary’s low 63^rd minute drive. In addition, another youth team product, Ashley Edkins, was given a stoppage time run-out. Pilgrims: 4-4-2: Wright; Greaves, White, Futcher, Canoville; Maylett, Rusk (Holland 34), Talbot, Ross; Dudfield (Lee 74), Joachim (Edkins 90). Subs (not used): Thomas, McCann.
Friday October 7, 2005 (League Two)
Notts County	1	Boston United	2
Edwards 90		Joachim 1 Pipe (og) 11
Two goals inside the first few minutes laid the foundation from which Boston United secured their first away League Two win of the season, in the process inflicting Notts County’s first home loss. And on a night of drama, the Pilgrims had striker Noel Whelan (59 minutes) and goalkeeper Nathan Abbey (stoppage time) sent off for second yellow card offences, the latter for time wasting in each instance. The match itself saw United take the lead after just 26 seconds when Lee Canoville fed Julian Joachim. A couple of shimmies took him past the last defender and keeper Kevin Pilkington before slotting into a vacant net. On 11 minutes Boston went 2-0 ahead when Whelan pursued a Simon Rusk pass. Pilkington ran out in a bid to clear but simply fired at colleague David Pipe and the ball to rebounded into goal. From that point Boston played a great containing game with Paul Ellender and Alan White key figures in defence. County’s pressure increased once Whelan departed. But it wasn’t until the fourth minute of stoppage time that Michael Edwards cut Boston’s lead with a close range finish from a long throw by Wilson. And even though Rusk had to don the keeper’s gloves for the final few seconds, nine-man Boston remained defiant. Pilgrims: 4-4-2: Abbey; Greaves (Thomas 46), White, Ellender, Canoville; Maylett, Rusk, Talbot (Holland 87), Ross; Whelan, Joachim (Dudfield 76). Subs (not used): Lee, Wright (gk).
Saturday October 1, 2005 (League Two)
Boston United	1	Peterborough United	0
Ross (pen) 63
Teenage loanee Ian Ross was Boston United’s spot-on hero with a confidently converted penalty just after the hour mark to secure derby day victory over Peterborough. Ross fired firmly past Lee Harrison from a re-take ordered by referee Jonathan Moss after the visiting keeper was judged to have moved off his line in saving Noel Whelan’s first attempt. The kick was awarded after Sean St Ledger had tripped Lee Canoville. The remainder of the match had seen Boston generally in control with a few decent goal attempts while Posh offered little in reply to genuinely trouble Nathan Abbey. Pilgrims: 4-4-2: Abbey; Greaves, White, Ellender, Canoville; Maylett (Talbot 90), Noble (Thomas 81), Rusk, Ross; Whelan (Dudfield 83), Joachim. Subs (not used): McCann, Lee.
Tuesday September 27, 2005 (League Two)
Darlington	0	Boston United	0
Boston United showed great character and resolve to register their first clean sheet of the season — at the 11^th time of asking. The Pilgrims achieved the shutout with a solid all-round performance in north-east England. Paul Ellender and Alan White were key figures at the back and marshalled their ranks well to restrict the home side’s attack to only a few clear chances. Boston’s best moment came towards half-time when Julian Joachim and Noel Whelan linked well, but home defender Martis cleared off the line. Near the end Lawrie Dudfield almost created a breakthrough but was denied a penalty when appearing to be tugged back. Pilgrims: 4-4-2: Abbey; Greaves, Ellender, White, Canoville; Maylett, Rusk, Noble, Ross (Thomas 90); Whelan (Dudfield 78), Joachim (Talbot 90). Subs (not used): Futcher, Lee.
Saturday September 24, 2005 (League Two)
Boston United	1	Grimsby Town	1
Joachim 90		Kamudimba Kalala (pen) 12
Julian Joachim showed he had lost none of his Premiership goal-grabbing instincts when he lashed home a deserved last minute and richly deserved equaliser for Boston United to deny table-topping Grimsby a fifth straight away league success. The visitors went ahead with a 12^th minute penalty from Jean-Paul Kamudimba Kalala after Austin McCann had been sent off as last man for tripping a clean through Michael Reddy. But after that, the Mariners seemed confident they could sit back and hold on to their slender lead. However, Boston defied their numerical disadvantage and frequently had Grimsby on the back foot — their pressure culminating with Joachim swivelling to bury a six-yard shot following a Paul Ellender headed flick-on. Pilgrims: 3-4-3: Abbey; White, Ellender, Futcher; Maylett, Noble (Dudfield 82), Ross, McCann; Whelan (Rusk 46), Lee (Thomas 17), Joachim. Subs (not used): Talbot, Wright (gk).
Saturday September 17, 2005 (League Two)
Bury	1	Boston United	1
Whaley 38		Dudfield 82
Sustained second half pressure eventually paid off for Boston United as they left Bury’s Gigg Lane ground with a point. But in all honesty, their reward should have been much greater. However, the Pilgrims failed to cash in on a clutch of opportunities that came their way. And with only eight minutes to go, it looked as though a Bury goal just before the interval would prove decisive. This came when Simon Whaley darted in at the near post to head in from Brian Barry-Murphy’s corner. However, in the 82^nd minute the Boston equaliser came, even though it was a real scramble. From a corner by Ross, the ball bobbled around in the home penalty area with Mark Greaves, Julian Joachim and Lawrie Dudfield all attempting to get the ball over the line — the eventual credit going to Dudfield in a crowded area. Pilgrims: 3-4-3: Abbey; White, Greaves, Ellender; Maylett (Canoville 90), Noble, Ross, McCann (Thomas 81); Whelan (Dudfield 73), Lee, Joachim. Subs: Talbot, Wright (gk).
Saturday September 10, 2005 (League Two)
Boston United	3	Rochdale	2
Whelan 9, (pen) 57 White 76		Holt 16 Griffiths 52
When it finally came, Boston United first win of the season proved worth the wait in a free-flowing fixture. Victory spoils were landed in a degree of style again a high-riding Rochdale side whose footballing talent arguably merited at least a point. But the Pilgrims weren’t complaining. On a day when defences had a testing time, United went ahead on nine minutes. Jason Lee headed down a long diagonal pass from Paul Ellender and Noel Whelan drilled home. But seven minutes later Dale were level when Grant Holt burst clear and cleverly lobbed Nathan Abbey. Chances came and went at either end, then seven minutes into the second half the visitors forged ahead when Gareth Griffiths drilled in when a Jamie Clarke corner dropped invitingly. But Boston bounced back and five minutes later won a spot-kick when Neil Brisco was judged to have handled a Brad Maylett free-kick. Whelan blasted the kick past Matthew Gilks. The match then took another twist in the 76^th minute when Alan White swivelled to shoot in from Ian Ross’ corner. This time there was no Rochdale recovery as United held on for maximum spoils. Pilgrims: 3-4-3: Abbey; White, Ellender, Futcher (Greaves 67); Maylett, Noble, Ross, McCann; Joachim (Dudfield 89), Lee, Whelan (Thomas 72). Subs (not used): Talbot, Wright (gk).
Sunday September 4, 2005 (League Two)
Macclesfield	2	Boston United	2
McIntyre 21 Futcher (own goal) 32		Maylett 48 Whelan 75
Second half powers of recovery enabled Boston United to leave Macclesfield's Moss Rose with a share of the spoils when, at half-time, it looked as though another away defeat was on the cards. The Pilgrims turned in another shoddy display of defensive work in the opening period with the Silkmen taking charge with a 21st minute header by Kevin McIntyre and a bizarre full-stretch headed own goal from Ben Futcher. However, the second half produced a fightback of terrific proportions with Brad Maylett angling in a 48th minute shot and then Noel Whelan smashing in a 75th minute equaliser. After that it was all Boston and only some great home defensive work and United ill-luck denied the Pilgrims a first away success. Pilgrims: 3-5-2: Abbey; White, Ellender, Futcher; Canoville (Maylett 46), Noble, Greaves (Joachim 46), Ross, Thomas, Lee, Dudfield (Whelan 66). Subs (not used): Talbot, Wright (gk).
Monday August 29, 2005 (League Two)
Northampton Town	3	Boston United	2
Kirk 21 Taylor 44 Crowe 83		White 40 Ross 86
Boston's winless league run was stretched to six matches when they tumbled to defeat against one of League Two's pre-season championship favourites. But for some fragile moments in defence, the Pilgrims would surely have returned with some sort of reward. However, in the final assessment, it was another gloomy tale. Former United marksman Andy Kirk scrambled the Cobblers ahead on 22 minutes. But Boston equalised when White headed in from Ian Ross' left-wing free-kick. However, Northampton regained the lead on 44 minutes when Ian Taylor headed in from David Hunt's long throw-in. United battled hard to find a second half recovery route but were undone again by slack defending which allowed Jason Crowe to score again on 83 minutes. However four minutes from time, Ross fired in from long range to spark a few moments of last-ditch pressure as Boston pushed in vain for a late equaliser. Pilgrims: 4-4-2: Abbey; Canoville, White, Ellender, Johnson (Futcher 59); Ross, Talbot (Greaves 68), Noble, Thomas; Lee, Whelan (Clare 64). Subs (not used): Norris, Wright (gk).
Saturday August 27, 2005 (League Two)
Boston United	2	Mansfield Town	2
Thomas 9 White 34		Barker (pen) 25 Brown 69
For the third home League Two match in succession, United had to settle for a share of the points, a result which took their run without a victory to five games. Here the Pilgrims took a ninth minute lead when winger Danny Thomas fired fiercely across Kevin Pressman and into the far corner of the net after Nathan Abbey's long free-kick had been flicked on by Jason Lee. But the Stags equalised in the 25th minute when Lee inexplicably hauled down Rhys Day in the home area and Richie Barker fired in from the spot. Nine minutes later, however, United went ahead again. Brad Maylett’s centre found Alan White at the far post and his looping header dropped over Pressman. Exchanges were generally even after the break, but Mansfield levelled in the 69th minute when Simon Brown ran a fair distance before finding a position good enough to drill past Abbey. Pilgrims: 4-4-2: Abbey; Canoville, A White, Ellender, McCann; Maylett, Talbot (Ross 76), Noble, Thomas; Lee (Whelan 73), Joachim (Greaves 85). Subs (not used): Futcher, Wright (gk).
Tuesday August 23, 2005 (Carling Cup)
Sheffield United	1	Boston United	0
Ross 50
There was plenty of credit in defeat as the Pilgrims bowed out of the Carling Cup to League One high-flyers Sheffield United. Boston battled brilliantly throughout the 90 minutes and put behind them the defensive problems that had plagued them in earlier matches. Alan White and Paul Ellender were rock-like in the rearguard. And Boston weren’t outgunned at the other end, either. Even though chances were limited, they might have hit the target with better luck for Danny Thomas, Jason Lee and Noel Whelan while Julian Joachim and Lawrie Dudfield both threatened with their pace late on. In the end, though, the tie was settled in the 50th minute when Ian Ross netted with a low 25-yarder, which deflected past Abbey off Canoville, following Keith Gillespie's corner from the left. Pilgrims: 4-4-2: Abbey: Canoville, White, Ellender, McCann (Whelan 84); Rusk (Maylett 77), Talbot, Noble (Holland 77), Thomas; Lee, Joachim. Subs (not used): Clare, Wright (gk).
Saturday August 20, 2005 (League Two)
Cheltenham	3	Boston United	0
Spencer 19 Victory 43 Canoville (own goal) 44
Two goals just before the interval sentenced the Pilgrims to more away-day misery. United's afternoon of gloom was compounded when defender Ben Futcher was sent off late on after collecting a second yellow card. The tale of woe began on 19 minutes when Damien Spencer fired Cheltenham ahead from a cross by JJ Melligan. Boston battled hard to redress the balance, but suffered two more calamities in the moments running up to the break. In the 43^rd minute Jamie Victory headed in unmarked from 18 yards from a Grant McCann centre. Then Lee Canoville had the misfortune to deflect the ball past Nathan Abbey following Abe Odejayi’s low cross from the right. The home side almost made it 4-0 seconds later, but Craig Armstrong's diving header rebounded off a post. After that it was simply damage limitation for United.  Pilgrims: 4-4-2: Abbey; Canoville, White, Futcher, A McCann; Noble, Talbot (Rusk 62), Holland (Maylett 46), Johnson (Thomas 62); Lee, Joachim. Subs (not used): Clare, Wright (gk).
Saturday August 13, 2005 (League Two)
Boston United	2	Stockport County	2
Joachim 50, 89		Bramble 63 Hamshaw 67
For the second time in the space of a few days, Boston United relied on a late equaliser to earn them a home draw. This time Stockport were the opponents who came close to heading home with maximum spoils. But Julian Joachim was the York Street hero with an 89th minute leveller, remarkably volleying the ball in with the outside of his right foot. That goal answered two County efforts that had overturned Joachim's initial breakthrough on 50 minutes when steering the ball in following a neat one-two with Chris Holland.  After that strike, Stockport replied with two goals in four minutes — first with Tes Bramble shooting in and then when Mathew Hamshaw curled home a terrific 20-yarder, giving Nathan Abbey no chance. The first half had seen Boston dominate for long spells without being able to cash in on chances created. Pilgrims: 3-5-2: Abbey; Canoville, Greaves, Futcher; Maylett (Whelan 72), Holland, Noble, Talbot (Rusk 46), Thomas; Lee, Joachim. Subs (not used): White, Johnson, Wright (gk).
Wednesday August 10, 2005 (League Two)
Boston United	1	Shrewsbury Town	1
Lee 84		Smith 69
Striker Jason Lee was Boston United's point-saving hero with a goal six minutes from time as the Pilgrims made a nervy start to their home League Two programme. The Pilgrims, minus the services of Julian Joachim (taken ill just before the game) had to battle hard for their share of the spoils. In the first half, efforts from Ben Futcher and brad Maylett went close the breaking the deadlock while at the other end Nathan Abbey had to save well to deny Ben Smith and Neil Sorvel. But he was unable to prevent the visitors from taking a 69th minute lead when Smith fired in from 20 yards. However, Boston rallied and got their equaliser when Lee, at the far post, converted Lee Canoville’s cross from the right. Pilgrims: 4-4-2: Abbey; Canoville, Greaves, Futcher, McCann (Noble 77); Rusk (Whelan 46), Holland, Talbot (Johnson 88), Thomas; Lee, Maylett. Subs (not used): White, Wright (gk).
Saturday August 6, 2005 (League Two)
Wrexham	2	Boston United	0
Mark Jones 23 Roche 83
This certainly wasn't the start Boston United wanted. A first day defeat in north Wales saw the Pilgrims surrender a proud mini-record. They had not been previously beaten on the opening day of a campaign since gaining Football League status. But overall, there was little complaint as the home side — newly relegated from League One — secured maximum points on the strength of a 23rd minute goal from Mark Jones and a second effort seven minutes from time by Lee Roche. Boston's best efforts came in the second half with Mark Greaves and Noel Whelan both going close, but to no avail. In stoppage time Simon Rusk went close to a consolation goal but saw his header cleared off the line by Darren Ferguson. Pilgrims: 4-4-2: Abbey; Canoville, Greaves, Futcher, McCann (Thomas 68); Maylett, Talbot, Holland, Johnson (Rusk 46); Joachim, Whelan (Norris 78). Subs (not used): White, Wright (gk).