www.bostonbuzz.co.uk

The prime platform for Boston and District sports news

Boston United Match reports for the 2007-2008 season Blue Square Conference North and cup competitions
NEXT MATCH
No more matches, season complete
LATEST MATCH
Saturday April 26^th, 2008 Blue Square North
Boston United	2	Hyde United	1
Weaver 70 Froggatt 80		Tipton 37
Team (4-3-3): Chris Wright; Tom Matthews (Jon Stevenson 46), Simon Weaver, Matt Bloomer, Liam Green; Stewart Talbot, Paul Ellender, Jon Rowan (Ashley Nicholls 63); Kieran Leabon (Rob Wesley 86), Jon Frogatt, Lee Thompson. Subs (not used): Tony Crane, Mensah Kinch.		Team (4-4-2): Craig Dootson; Chris Brass, Dave Morley (Shane Killock 78), Peter Band, Andrew Teague; Lee Cartwright, Mark Innes, Steve Pickford (Chris Simm 85), Nicky Clee (Chris Lynch 78); Matthew Tipton, Gareth Seddon. Subs (not used): Lee Rick, Bobby Gee.
Report: Boston United signed off their first season back in non-league football with a super fightback victory over Hyde United. Success came by virtue of an excellent second half recovery on a day when Pilgrims’ chairman David Newton announced 10 minutes before kick-off that agreement in principle had been reached for the club to emerge from the CVA entered into last year to the satisfaction of football creditors and the Inland Revenue. Buoyed by this news and the backing of 1,700-plus home fans, United clearly wanted to impress. And they started well with Jon Froggatt and Paul Ellender seeing headers flash just off target and the former also having a long-range drive drift just wide. The visitors, though, responded with a brace of efforts from distance by Lee Cartwright and Gareth Seddon fizzing too high. In reply, the Pilgrims could have taken a 23^rd minute lead when Kieran Leabon was put free by Stewart Talbot but blazed over the top after cutting inside the area. It was Hyde who took the lead on 37 minutes when Matthew Tipton curled a centrally-positioned 22-yard free kick high beyond Chris Wright and into the top corner. Two minutes after the break Boston had what appeared good claims for a penalty waved aside when a Lee Thompson thunderbolt seemed to slap into the hands of Nicky Clee. But there was then a let-off at the other end when Hyde came within a whisker of doubling their advantage. Cartwright saw a firm shot parried by Wright and the ball seemed destined for the net before Tipton, in trying to follow up, somehow contrived to divert the ball off the home line and wide for a goal-kick. Boston redoubled their efforts and came close to an equaliser when Talbot saw a solid far post header superbly saved by Craig Dootson following a cross from the right by Jon Stevenon. But the pilgrims succeeded in levelling matters in the 70^th minute when Simon Weaver rose well to head in from a Liam Green corner. Ten minutes later Ellender threaded a pass into the feet of Froggatt. And from a position close to the corner of the six-yard box, he swivelled well to send a low snap-shot past Dootson and into the far corner to give Boston a 2-1 lead. The Pilgrims came close to a third goal seconds from time when Stevenson saw a curling 18-yarderrattle down and away off the underside of the visitors’ bar. Referee: C Akers. Attendance: 1,740 (away support of 23).
Saturday April 19^th, 2008 Blue Square North
Boston United	3	Blyth Spartans	2
Ellender 4 Talbot 68 Rowan 78		Houlahan 78, 83
Team (4-4-2): Chris Wright; Tom Matthews, Simon Weaver, Matt Bloomer, Liam Green; Lee Beeson (Kieran Leabon 56), Stewart Talbot, Paul Ellender (Ashley Nicholls 66), Jon Rowan; Jon Froggatt, Micky Nuttell (Jon Stevenson 69). Subs (not used): Tony Crane, Lee Thompson.		Team (3-5-2): Adam Bartlett; Peter Snowdon, Ben Christiansen, Gary Brown; Michael Hedley, Steve Birks (Chris McCabe 73), Adrian Webster, Martin Houlahan, Kenny Boyle; Robert Dale (Gareth Williams 86), Andrew Johnson (Ged Dalton 67). Subs (not used): Andrew Leeson, Graham Fenton.
Report: Goals from Paul Ellender, Stewart Talbot and Jon Rowan helped Boston United to take maximum points from their home Blue Square North fixture against Blyth. But it was a much closer call than most observers envisaged when the Pilgrims led 3-0 with only 11 minutes to go. However, at that point, the visitors staged a determined rally that yielded two goals and came within a whisker of producing a complete recovery. However, Tommy Taylor’s men managed to weather some anxious moments to cling to their victory rewards. The game was just four minutes old when the Pilgrims broke the deadlock, Paul Ellender firing home from 20 yards after being set up by a well-placed square pass from Jon Froggatt. Blyth sought to make a telling reply and Steve Birks fired wide from distance. The visitors also went close against when Birks fed a pass through for Andrew Johnson. But his 23^rd minute shot brought a fine blocking save from keeper Chris Wright. Boston hit back and Froggatt glanced a header wide following a fine left wing cross by Lee Beeson. Further chances were then created by Blyth but Johnson and Robert Dale both lacked shooting accuracy from distance. Boston had the ball in the net again on 41 minutes when Micky Nuttell headed in from a Talbot cross. But the referee disallowed the effort for a pushing offence. Home keeper Wright made a fine double save just after the interval when first denying Adrian Webster with a parrying save and then diving at the feet of Peter Snowdon who sought to convert the rebound. Boston hit back and Froggatt was cruelly out of luck when a long shot rattled away off the bar — a fate that later befell a Blyth effort by Johnson with Wright getting an important flick on the ball. Seconds after coming on as a substitute, Kieran Leabon burst free for United but keeper Adam Bartlett dashed out to block well. Boston went 2-0 ahead on 68 minutes when an Ashley Nicholls corner was only partially cleared and Talbot pounced to smack a low 25-yarder beyond the reach of Bartlett. Ten minutes later the lead stretched to 3-0 when Nicholls sent Rowan skipping clear and he cleverly lobbed Bartlett to put Boston into what seemed an unassailable position. But Blyth rolled up their sleeves and fought back tenaciously. Within 60 seconds Martin Houlahan saw a shot divert into the home net off Matt Bloomer. And five minutes later the same player curled a fine 18-yard drive high beyond Wright. The double strike suddenly set up a nail-biting finish for United who, for the remaining minutes, looked uneasy under mounting pressure. But the pilgrims somehow managed to hang on to net maximum spoils. Referee: D Benton. Attendance: 1,118 (away support of 25)
Saturday April 12^th, 2008 Blue Square North
Tamworth	1	Boston United	1
Sheldon 45		Stevenson 81
Team (4-4-2): Alex Cisak; Des Lyttle, Adie Smith, Michael Briscoe, Graeme Law; David Bampton (Jonathan Richter 83), Martin Foster, Chris Nurse, Jake Sheridan; Gareth Sheldon (Marcus Ebdon 90), Nick Wright (Colin Marrison 80). Subs (not used): Kirk Jackson, Shawn Boothe.		Team (4-3-3): Chris Wright; Tom Matthews, Simon Weaver, Matt Bloomer, Liam Green; Ashley Nicholls; Paul Ellender, Jon Rowan; Matt O’Halloran (Kieran Leabon 46), Jon Froggatt (Stewart Talbot 85), Lee Thompson (Jon Stevenson 46). Subs (not used): Tony Crane, Michael Wood.
Report: A Jon Stevenson equaliser nine minutes from time earned Boston United a 1-1 away draw against Tamworth — the Pilgrims’ final Blue Square North fixture of the current campaign. A share of the spoils kept United entrenched in mid-table and still eager to leap-frog county rivals Gainsborough, a feat they could still achieve if they profit substantially from the final two home matches of the season over the next two Saturdays against Blyth Spartans and Hyde United. The home side carved out the game’s first opening on the strength of a defensive mix-up between Simon Weaver and keeper Chris Wright. But front man Nick Wright couldn’t profit when firing his clear-cut shooting chance wide via a deflection of Matt Bloomer. Boston’s first real attempt on goal came when Paul Ellender met Ashley Nicholls’ corner. But goalkeeper Alex Cisak saved well from the Boston captain’s header. At the other end, Chris Wright made save when diverting the ball over the bar off his knees to thwart a swerving 25-yard shot by Gary Sheldon. The Boston custodian was then called into action to deal with another shot from distance, this time from Martin Foster. Late in the first half, more Tamworth pressure saw Sheldon fire too high from 20 yards. Chris Wright then had to be alert to tip over a looping header from Jake Sheridan, following Des Lyttle’s inviting right-wing cross. The resultant corner, Tamworth’s 11th of the half, saw Sheridan go close again. But Weaver cleared brilliantly from close-range. Weaver produced another timely block to thwart David Bampton’s drive. But home corner number 12 resulted in the game’s opening goal. Michael Briscoe headed goalwards from 12 yards and Sheldon lifted the ball past keeper Wright from close-range. That was in the final seconds of a half generally dominated by Tamworth. In a bid to redress the balance, United boss Tommy Taylor replaced largely ineffective duo Lee Thompson and Matt O’Halloran at the interval with Stevenson and Kieran Leabon. And Boston enjoyed much greater possession and ascendancy as a result. Stevenson almost drew the Pilgrims level but he drilled into the side-netting from 20 yards. Cisak then made a tremendous save to deny Nicholls in the 50th minute following good play by Ellender, Stevenson and Leabon. Good hold-up play from Jon Froggatt gave Stevenson a decent shooting opportunity but Cisak made a good stop from 20 yards. Weaver then ventured upfield and tried his luck on goal in the 57th minute. But the ball flashed wide of the far post following Rowan’s neat turn and lay-off in the box. The Pilgrims continued their second half offensive with Froggatt drilling high and wide from 20 yards. Tamworth kept the Pilgrims out for the majority of the second half, but Leabon wriggled free to drill just wide from 20 yards. More good play from Leabon saw him surge down the left. And after Stevenson had seen a shot blocked, Froggatt fired too high from 20 yards. The Pilgrims, though, drew level in the 81st minute when Stevenson hooked the ball home from 12 yards after Tamworth had failed to clear Matt Bloomer’s deep free-kick. Tamworth nearly restored their lead in the 90^th minute, but full-back Des Lyttle lacked any real accuracy when shooting off-target from the edge of the area Referee: P Hobday. Attendance: 885
Saturday April 5^th, 2008 Blue Square North
Boston United	3	Stalybridge Celtic	1
Nuttell 20, 62 Rowan 34		Torpey 65
Team (4-4-2): Chris Wright; Tom Matthews, Simon Weaver, Matt Bloomer, Liam Green; Ben Joyce (Lee Thompson 63), Ashley Nicholls, Paul Ellender, Jon Rowan (Stewart Talbot 72); Jon Froggatt, Micky Nuttell (Kieran Leabon 78). Subs (not used): Tony Crane, Jon Stevenson.		Team (4-4-2): Paddy Gamble; Ashley Woolliscroft, Steve Payne, Paul Sykes, Andrew Smart; Steve Torpey, Terry Barwick, Ashley Winn, Alex Meechan (Matty Barlow 82); Chris Hall, James Dean (Barrie Keeling 87). Subs (not used): Greg Wilkinson, Simon Garner, Martin Pearson (gk).
Report: Two goals from centre forward Micky Nuttell — his first in Boston United colours since re-signing for the club — helped Boston United to a welcome three-point Blue Square North haul against promotion-chasing Stalybridge. Jon Rowan was also on target as Tommy Taylor’s men enjoyed a 3-1 victory in a match that also saw United keeper Chris Wright cap a fine performance with an excellent penalty save. The win keeps United cemented in mid-table and still with a realistic chance of a top 10 finish — providing they can overhaul county rivals Gainsborough who currently occupy that slot. The first real chance of the game fell to the visitors in the 12^th minute when James Dean found space to shoot. But his effort flew too high. Boston replied with a lofted shot from the edge of the box by Jon Froggatt six minutes later but his effort also dipped over the bar. However, it was the Pilgrims who made the all-important breakthrough on 20 minutes when Nuttell headed in at the far post after being picked out by an Ashley Nicholls free-kick. The visitors looked to hit back almost instantly but Chris Hall fired over at the far post. Boston refused to be pinned back and doubled their advantage on 34 minutes when Rowan fired in via the base of a post after engineering his shooting chance on the edge of the area — the goal making him Boston’s leading league scorer of the campaign on nine goals. Two minutes before the break the action swung to the other end and Ashley Winn saw a shot flash inches past a Boston upright. And 10 minutes after the interval Stalybridge went close again when Hall fizzed a drive across the face of goal and wide of the target. Celtic should have halved the deficit on 59 minutes when they were awarded a penalty when Tom Matthews was deemed to have fouled Dean. But home keeper Wright made a fantastic save when guessing right to push away Andrew Smart’s spot-kick. And the visitors were punished for not capitalising on that award when Nuttell scored his second goal of the afternoon when firing in on 62 minutes from 10 yards after Paul Ellender’s header from a Liam Green corner had rebounded off a post. From that moment on, Boston looked in full control. And that stayed the case for the bulk of the remaining half-an-hour despite Celtic pulling a goal back on 65 minutes when Steve Torpey fired past Wright from just outside the area. It was a slight setback, but not enough to prevent the Pilgrims from getting the month of April off to a flying start with their 10^th home BSN victory of the season. Referee: K Lawson. Attendance: 1,215 (away support of 151)
Saturday March 29^th, 2008 Blue Square North
Southport	2	Boston United	2
Gray 5 Duffy 39		Weaver 58, 90
Team (4-4-2): Terry Smith; Chris Lever, Matt Hocking, Kevin Lee, Ollie James; Mark Duffy (Rodney Jack 66), Chris Holland, Liam Blakeman, Paul Barratt (Neil Prince 72); Tony Gray, Michael Rae (Neil Robinson 90). Subs (not used): Michael Powell, Richard Whiteside (gk).		Team (4-3-3): Chris Wright; Tom Matthews, Simon Weaver, Matt Bloomer, Liam Green; Stewart Talbot (Ashley Nicholls 62), Paul Ellender, Jon Rowan; Jon Stevenson (Kieran Leabon 55), Jon Froggatt, Lee Thompson (Micky Nuttell 81). Subs (not used): Tony Crane, Ben Joyce.
Report: Two second half goals by unlikely hero, defender Simon Weaver — his first for the club — enabled Boston United to round off what had otherwise been a miserable month of March with a hard-earned Blue Square North point away to promotion-chasing Southport. The Pilgrims had trailed 2-0 at the interval before staging their point-saving recovery. Weaver had been given his chance in the Pilgrims’ starting line-up in place of the rested Tony Crane. But he and his defensive colleagues were put to the test right from the off as Southport started at a quick tempo. United keeper Chris Wright did well in the opening moments when punching clear from a dangerous-looking cross by Mark Duffy. Soon afterwards, Wright was in the action again when doing well to tip away a long-range drive by Tony Gray. But the custodian was beaten in the fifth minute when Gray netted from close range from a Michael Rae cross. United hit back with Paul Ellender and Jon Froggatt seeing efforts blocked by the Southport defence. But it was the home side who almost doubled their lead on 20 minutes when Duffy shot into the side-netting from 15 yards after twisting into space. Weaver then had to make a good tackle to cut out Duffy’s dangerous cross aimed at team-mate Gray. Boston, though, responded again with Tom Matthews crossing for Lee Thompson to shoot. But Chris Lever cleared. Southport doubled their lead six minutes before half-time, when Duffy fired in home a tremendous 22-yard free-kick following Ellender’s clumsy foul on Liam Blakeman. Boston’s first genuinely clear opening of the match took 54 minutes to arrive. But here, Weaver headed just wide from Liam Green’s inviting cross. Southport replied and Wright pushed the ball wide to thwart Rae. From the corner, Kevin Lee headed wide from Duffy’s delivery. Boston answered once more and Jon Rowan saw a shot diverted wide by former Pilgrim Chris Holland. Boston, though, halved the deficit on 58 minutes when Weaver directed a header into the top corner from Ellender’s left-wing cross after Southport had only partially cleared a corner. Boston battled hard to find another route through to goal, but the home side held firm. A leveller almost arrived on 80 minutes, though, when subs Kieran Leabon and Ashley Nicholls linked well before the latter forced keeper Terry Smith into a good save. Soon afterwards Rowan tested Smith from 25 yards. As stoppage time approached, Wright kept Boston in the hunt with a fine save to deny Gray. And from that platform, United snatched a share of the spoils with a 90^th minute equaliser when Nicholls’ inswinging corner was met by Weaver whose close-range header beat Smith. There was just enough time for Boston to carve out one final chance, but Micky Nuttell’s header from a Green corner whistled agonisingly wide. Referee: J Simpson. Attendance: 864.
Monday March 24^th, 2008 Blue Square North
Boston United	0	Kettering Town	1
		Dempster 31
Team (4-4-2): Chris Wright; Tom Matthews, Tony Crane, Matt Bloomer, Liam Green; Lee Thompson Micky Nuttell 73), Stewart Talbot (Ben Joyce 69), Paul Ellender, Jon Rowan (Ashley Nicholls 46); Jon Froggatt, Jon Stevenson. Subs (not used): Simon Weaver, Matt O’Halloran.		Team (4-3-3): Lee Harper; John Dempster, Tom Kemp, Guy Branston, Tommy Jaszczun; Jon Brady, Brett Solkhon, David Bridges; Anthony Robinson (Jean-Paul Marna 67), Chris Beardsley, Craig Westcarr. Subs (not used): Luke Graham, Sam Shilton, Gary Mills, Nick Bussey (gk).
Report: Six defeats in the last seven outings. Five of them, frustratingly, by the same 1-0 margin. Boston United’s run-in to the end of the season appears to be in terminal decline. Not that this reverse embarrassing, by any stretch of the imagination. Quite simply on the day, Kettering showed exactly why they are top of the Blue Square North pile and almost certainly heading towards higher status next term. They presented a hugely competitive and physical challenge that, to a large extent, the Pilgrims were never able to master. And in the end, despite a lot of effort and determination from the home camp, United seldom got in a serious threat to Lee Harper in the visitors’ goal. Boston — with Chris Wright back in goal after answering an emergency call to help solve United’s keeper crisis — started quite well and enjoyed a couple of bright moments in the opening throes. First Stewart Talbot saw a header from a Jon Stevenson corner bounce away off the top of the Kettering bar. Then Tony Crane shot wide after a Lee Thompson free-kick had ballooned into the danger area before being partly punched clear by Harper. Kettering hit back and seized control for lengthy spells. On 24 minutes Chris Beardsley hooked a shot over the bar and then Craig Westcarr saw a curling effort held by Wright. What turned out to be the game’s only goal came on 31 minutes and stemmed from a wayward back-pass by Paul Ellender that led to a corner being conceded. David Bridges whipped the ball into the danger area. Up-from-the-back defender John Dempster darted into the six-yard box and claimed the touch that took the ball over the line. Boston hit back with two more near misses just before the break. First Jon Rowan got on the end of some good build-up work but saw his low drive smothered by Harper — the keeper’s one real testing moment. Moments later Stevenson whipped in a cross that man mountain Guy Branston almost bundled past his own keeper, the ball just squirting wide at the expense of a corner. After the break, though, it was Kettering who held sway for most of the time. Anthony Robinson fired over from an angle and then Brett Solkhon headed over from a Jon Brady cross. The latter then went close on 70 minute when he cut in from the right to unleash a swerving drive that Wright did well to push aside. Boston grafted hard and caused a couple of minor scares in the Town back division. And the introduction of Micky Nuttell helped to ruffle a few feathers in the visitors’ rearguard. But Kettering continued to be the controlling force and almost snatched a second goal at the death when Bridges drilled goalwards. But again Wright was on hand to save well. Referee: G Brittain. Attendance: 2,003 (away support of 665).
Saturday March 22^nd, 2008 Blue Square North
Redditch United	3	Boston United	1
Deakin 13 Softley 55 Heggs 69		Rowan 27
Team (3-5-2): Danny Lewis; Liam Daly, Matt Clarke, Liam Murray; Richard Softley, Chris Murphy (Ashley Walker 79), Howard Forinton, Graham Deakin, Danny Edwards; Carl Heggs, Keith Rostill (Richard Evans 59). Subs (not used): Scott Rickards, Chris Dickinson.		Team (4-3-3): Aaron Butcher; Tom Matthews, Tony Crane, Matt Bloomer, Liam Green; Ashley Nicholls (Micky Nuttell 70), Paul Ellender, Jon Rowan; Kieran Leabon (Matt O’Halloran 63), Jon Froggatt, Lee Thompson (Jon Stevenson 70). Subs (not used): Markell Bailey, Simon Weaver.
Report: Boston United slipped to their fifth defeat in six matches when suffering a 3-1 reverse away to mid-table rivals Redditch United. The Pilgrims, forced to blood 17-year-old youth team keeper Aaron Butcher between the sticks, trailed to an early free-kick goal but then went into the interval at 1-1. However, the home side went on to land maximum Blue Square North spoils with two further strikes after the break. The match had seen the Pilgrims make a fairly bright start and Kieran Leabon went close when firing just wide after being set up by Jon Froggatt. But it was Redditch who, with virtually their first attack took the lead on 13 minutes from a set-piece 25 yards out. After a foul by Ashley Nicholls on Keith Rostill, the referee allowed Redditch to take the kick quickly. And with Butcher still lining up his defensive wall, Graham Deakin curled a shot into the unguarded side of Boston’s net. The Pilgrims battled hard to make a telling response and twice went close — first when Froggatt headed wide from a Leabon cross and then when Tony Crane’s free-kick found the head of Jon Rowan whose effort was held by keeper Danny Lewis. However, an equaliser arrived on 27 minutes when Liam Green and Paul Ellender combined to free Rowan in the box. And he drilled past Lewis from 18 yards. Boston then had a chance to go ahead but Froggatt bundled a shot wide from a Lee Thompson cross. Then just before the break, Lewis in the home goal thwarted Nicholls while a Froggatt follow-up effort was blocked by defender Liam Daly. The Pilgrims kept up the tempo at the started of the second half with Crane seeing a free-kick from the edge of the area blocked and then Rowan’s effort from the partial clearance was held by Lewis. But instead of building on this positive impetus, the Pilgrims allowed themselves to be pushed back by the home side. And it became 2-1 to Redditch on 64 minutes when the referee, arguably harshly, awarded a penalty for handball against Green. And Daly fired in from the spot. Five minutes later, the game was put out of Boston’s recall. Crane and Butcher got into a mix-up in trying to clear and Danny Edwards crossed from the left for one-time Pilgrims’ triallist Carl Heggs to head in from three yards. Boston threw on Jon Stevenson and Micky Nuttell in the final 20 minutes and Nuttell went close from 12 yards, but saw Lewis save well at his near post. Later on, further Boston efforts fell to Tom Matthews and Ellender, but both shot off target. Then in stoppage time Crane was denied a late consolation goal when his 25-yard free-kick was pushed onto a post and away to safety by Lewis. Referee: M Thornley. Attendance: 377
Saturday March 15^th, 2008 Blue Square North
Boston United	0	Burscough	1
		Booth 9
Team (4-4-2): Simon Rayner; Tom Matthews, Tony Crane (Markell Bailey 82), Paul Ellender, Matt Bloomer; Ashley Nicholls (Jon Stevenson 60), Sam Gaughran (Kieran Leabon 60), Stewart Talbot, Liam Green; Jon Froggatt, Jon Rowan. Subs (not used): Simon Weaver, Lee Thompson.		Team (4-4-2): Zak Hibbert; Adam Flynn, Earl Davis, Farrell Kilbane, Matty McGinn (Sean Clancy 70); Matty Parry (Michael Tomlinson 73), Alan Moogan, Brian Moogan (Chris Price 73), Craig Noone; Robbie Booth, Ciaran Kilheeney. Subs (not used): James McCulloch, Allan Smart.
Report: Boston United suffered a fourth 1-0 loss in their last five matches when tumbling by a solitary goal to play-off contenders Burscough. The result — the Pilgrims’ fifth home Blue Square North loss of the campaign — left United still treading water in mid-table. The only goal of the game came after nine minutes, the strike being something of a nightmare for Boston keeper Simon Rayner who allowed a Robbie Booth header from a curling centre by the impressive Matty Parry to squeeze through his grasp and between his legs before trickling over the line. Ten minutes later the visitors pressed again and this time Rayner made a better job of tipping aside a long range drive by Brian Moogan. Boston’s only real opening in the initial exchanges had come when Jon Rowan burst into space but succeeded only in thrashing a shot wildly over the visitors’ bar. Boston’s next response was a rasping 22^nd minute shot from distance by Jon Froggatt that flashed inches wide. More home pressure then yielded a chance for Stewart Talbot but his angled drive was smothered by keeper Zak Hibbert. Just before the break the visitors almost doubled their lead but Adam Flynn’s close range flicked header after ghosting in unmarked to meet a Craig Noone free-kick flashed too high. Then, a quick-fire reply by United saw a curling 20-yard drive by Froggatt (making a welcome return to the starting line-up after injury) rattle away off the angle of post and bar. Nine minutes into the second half Burscough went close to adding a second goal when Parry broke clear but saw his drive blocked by Rayner. Boston threw on additional firepower in the guise of substitutes Kieran Leabon and Jon Stevenson. And then also later added debutant front man Markell Bailey into the mix. But they still couldn’t find a way through a genuinely stubborn Burscough rearguard. The closest Boston came to an equaliser was three minutes from time when Leabon found space on the right but hie low, angled shot was blocked by Hibbert’s outstretched leg — much to the anguish of most observers in United’s smallest home crowd of the season, although their number substantially eclipsed the eight hardy souls whose presence ensured that Burscough’s backing was one of the tiniest of the campaign by any visiting side at the Staffsmart Stadium: following on from the other single figure totals of six who came with Leigh and the nine who gave Vauxhall Motors their travelling backing. Referee: M Foley. Attendance: 1,204 (away support of 8)
Tuesday March 11^th, 2008 Blue Square North
Vauxhall Motors	1	Boston United	0
Heler 85
Team (4-4-2): Andrew Murphy; Lee Owens, Alan Griffiths, Jordan Holmes, Jonathan Egerton; Keith Smith, Craig Robinson, Ashley Williams, Russell Hitchen; Peter Heler, Paul Taylor. Subs (not used): Tom Field, David Roberts, Chris McGrail, Mark Reed.		Team (4-4-2): Simon Rayner; Tom Matthews, Tony Crane, Paul Ellender, Matt Bloomer; Ashley Nicholls, Sam Gaughran, Jon Rowan, Liam Green; Micky Nuttell (Jon Froggatt 63), Kieran Leabon (Jon Stevenson 74). Subs (not used): Lee Thompson, Simon Weaver, Ben Joyce.
Report: A goal five minutes from time sentenced Boston United to a 1-0 reverse away to Vauxhall Motors. With the loss went three more Blue Square North points — the defeat once and for all ending all hopes of the Pilgrims getting in any sort of blow in the play-offs zone. The match had seen United turn in a moderate first half display but then went on to dominate the second period and were arguably unlucky not to have cashed in on a series of chances, the best of which saw Liam Green rattle the bar, Ashley Nicholls having a headed “goal” disallowed and a clutch of other close calls from decent openings. However, in the end, it was a goal on 85 minutes by Peter Heler completely against the run of play that buried Boston. The game’s first opportunity fell to Jon Rowan but shot wide after latching on to a flicked header by Micky Nuttell. In reply, Vauxhall hit back with a decent opening of their own on 12 minutes. However, United custodian Simon Rayner made a fine to thwart a clean-through Heler. With the wind at their backs, the home side kept up a decent attacking momentum for most of the first half and in the process forced a succession of corners. From one, the hugely impressive Paul Taylor brought another good save from Rayner with a far post effort — a feat the keeper repeated soon afterds from a free-kick drilled goalwards by the same home player. Boston’s responses were less frequent, although Sam Gaughran had a chance when drilling wide from distance. Then in first half added time, Kieran Leabon found space down the right, but drilled well off-target after more good creative work by Liam Green and Nuttell. After the break, though, with the elements more in their favour, it was virtually all Boston. However, they failed to capitalise on a succession of chances. First, Tom Matthews set Green free, but his drive rattled away off the crossbar. Moments later, Matthews also missed out with a 20-yard drive. Corners also arrived at fairly regular intervals. From one, taken by Green, the ball found Tony Crane whose header was blocked on the line by Alan Griffiths. On 60 minutes, another Green flag-kick was met by Paul Ellender. But his effort was blocked in tandem with the follow-up attempt by Nuttell. Home keeper Andrew Murphy then earned his corn by produced two excellent saves — first tipping away a drive by Green and then pushing away a fierce Gaughran effort. Boston pressed again and Ashley Nicholls drove a 25-yard free-kick too high. Then substitute Jon Stevenson saw an angled shot booted clear by Griffiths, with Jon Rowan ready to pounce on any loose possession. Crane almost won the game for the Pilgrims with a tremendous effort from 25 yards, but his left-footer flashed inches wide. It seemed only a matter of time before United achieved a breakthrough. But against the run of play they fell to a sucker-punch Vauxhall winner. Taylor broke down the left and drilled over a low cross into a mass of bodies where Heler got a telling touch to force the ball past Rayner from close-range. It was a hugely disappointing blow for United. And their dejection was doubled in the dying seconds when Nicholls rose to send a header into the top corner of the home net only to see a raised flag nullify his effort. Referee: M Denton. Attendance: 121
Saturday March 8^th, 2008 Blue Square North
Hucknall Town	1	Boston United	2
Mayman 14 (pen)		Crane 55, 76 (pen)
Team (4-4-2): Steve Dickinson; Alistair Asher, Gary Sucharewycz, Nicky Ellis, Dan MacPherson; Jordan Hall (James Cullingworth 62), Bobby Wilson, Danny Mayman, Eric Graves; Ben Saunders, Peter Knox. Subs (not used): Mick Galloway, Joe Ward, Greg Smith (gk).		Team (4-4-2): Simon Rayner; Tom Matthews, Tony Crane, Paul Ellender, Matt Bloomer; Ashley Nicholls, Stewart Talbot (Sam Gaughran 66), Jon Rowan, Liam Green; Micky Nuttell (Jon Froggatt 77), Kieran Leabon (Jon Stevenson 82). Subs (not used): Lee Thompson, Simon Weaver.
Report: Two goals from imposing centre back Tony Crane fired Boston United to a fightback 2-1 Blue Square North success away to Hucknall Town. Crane’s second half double — one from the penalty spot — helped the Pilgrims to overturn an interval deficit and gain revenge for an earlier home reverse against the Nottinghamshire outfit. The match was contested on a bog-like surface with the first opening falling the way of the visitors — Tom Matthews’ free-kick was met by Hucknall defender Nicky Ellis and only a reaction save by keeper Steve Dickinson prevented an own goal. From the resultant corner, taken by Liam Green, the ball dropped for Crane to see a header flash just wide. Hucknall hit back and took the lead via a penalty on 14 minutes. Matthews dithered in possession and lost out to Ben Saunders, who he fouled in a bid to retrieve the situation. From the spot, Danny Mayman drilled past Simon Rayner. In reply at the other end, Kieran Leabon fluffed a decent opening for a 30^th minute equaliser when scuffing a shot off-target from 15 yards. As the half progressed, Boston had cause to thank keeper Rayner who did well to deny a clean-through Peter Knox. Boston hit back more purposefully just before the interval. Paul Ellender shot too high from an Ashley Nicholls free-kick and then Leabon was denied by Dickinson in a one-on-one confrontation. Things were much brighter from a Pilgrims’ perspective after the break and were rewarded 10 minutes after the interval with an equaliser. From the third of three successive corners, Crane rose to send a lopping header beyond Dickinson and into the net. Soon afterwards, a great build-up featuring Nicholls, Green and Leabon ended with an excellent right-wing cross into Stewart Talbot. But from six yards from goal, he miscued and the chance went begging. Boston almost took the lead in the 70^th minute when Crane met Green’s corner, but James Cullingworth hacked the ball to safety from the towering defender’s firm header. But six minutes later Boston grabbed what proved to be the match-winning goal. Good play from Leabon forced Dan MacPherson into handling inside the box and Crane stepped up to smash the ball into the roof of Dickinson’s net for his seventh BSN goal of the season. Late in proceedings, Jon Froggatt made a welcome return following a long-term back problem. Sam Gaughran also emerged from the substitutes' bench to replace the tiring Talbot. After going ahead, the Pilgrims kept a controlling grip on the game, affording the home side little scope to make any sort of telling reply. Referee: P Thompson. Attendance: 408.
Tuesday March 4^th, 2008 Blue Square North
Barrow	1	Boston United	0
McNulty 12 (pen)
Team (4-4-2): Tim Deasy; Lee Woodyatt, Paul Jones, Steve McNulty, Ryan Elderton; Matt Henney, Andy Bond, Mark Boyd, Paul Brown; Jason Walker, Nick Rogan. Subs (not used): James Scales, Rio Nelson, Chris Thompson, Phil Morris, Dave Bayliss.		Team (4-4-2): Simon Rayner; Michael Wood, Stewart Talbot, Tony Crane, Matt Bloomer; Lee Thompson (Ben Joyce 65), Ashley Nicholls, Liam Green, Matt O’Halloran (Adam Millson 59); Jon Stevenson (Kieran Leabon 75), Jon Rowan. Subs (not used): Mensah Kinch.
Report: It was a case of long haul gloom for Boston United when they suffered a slender 1-0 loss away to Barrow. With the reverse went more precious Blue Square North points to leave the Pilgrims’ already wafer-thin hopes of reaching the play-off zone now virtually extinct. The only goal on the night in Cumbria came via an early penalty that tipped the scales in the Bluebirds’ favour. The result meant that, after a bright start to the new calendar year, Boston United had now suffered back-to-back losses. The Pilgrims, however, had started brightly and in the opening phases, Ashley Nicholls saw a 20-yard effort held by home keeper Tim Deasy. In reply, Barrow hit back with Matt Heeney delivering a fine cross from the right that went unconverted — team-mate Jason Walker being unable to make contact. Barrow. Though, went ahead on 12 minutes from the penalty spot after United keeper Simon Rayner had fouled Walker. The incident led to a yellow card for Rayner and Steve McNulty netted from the 12-yard award. Rayner partly made amends when saving well to deny Walker from 18 yards. Back at the other end, Lee Thompson saw a cross dropped by Deasy but Jon Rowan fired wide when the loose ball bounced his way. Towards half-time Boston got into a good position for an equalising chance with a free-kick centrally placed some 22 yards out. But Tony Crane’s shot was blocked by the home wall and Liam Green lofted the rebound too high. Moments into the second half, United had another good opening, but Nicholls again fired too high from 20 yards. Boston had the ball in the net via a Crane header, but an offside flag ruled out the effort. Moments earlier. Youngster Adam Millson took to the field for his United debut, replacing Matt O’Halloran on the right wing. The action then swung back into the United area and Rayner made a good double save to deny Mark Boyd’s driven free-kick, before thwarting Nick Rogan from close-range. Rayner then misjudged a Barrow corner and the home side almost added to their lead. The ball was only partially cleared and Paul Jones volleyed inches wide from 25 yards. Boston substitute Kieran Leabon missed a golden opportunity to equalise with his first touch. He sprinted clear from the half-way line, but scuffed his effort wide from 18 yards, as the ball bobbled up. Nicholls did well to set up a chance for Michael Wood (playing in midfield) but he drilled just inches wide from 30 yards. Moments later, Crane shot wide following a partially cleared Nicholls corner as Boston stepped up their search for an equaliser. Barrow almost netted a second goal in stoppage time when Rogan broke free. But Raytner made a fine save. Then seconds later, Matt Bloomer got his body in the way of a Walker shot but it wasn’t enough to avert a slender loss. Referee: D Handley. Attendance: 775 (away support of 25).
Saturday March 1^st, 2008 Blue Square North
Boston United	0	Harrogate Town	1
		Holland 45
Team (4-4-2): Simon Rayner; Tom Matthews, Michael Wood, Simon Weaver (Ashley Nicholls 60), Matt Bloomer; Matt O’Halloran, Stewart Talbot, Sam Gaughran (Liam Green 46), Jon Rowan; Micky Nuttell (Jon Stevenson 68), Kieran Leabon. Subs (not used): Tony Crane, Lee Thompson.		Team (3-5-2): Jon McLaughlin; Denny Ingram, Chris Ellerker, Nathan Peat; Jamie Price, Steve Burton (Chris Bettney 78), Leigh Wood, Darren Dunning, Dave Merris; Danny Holland (Lee Whittington 86), Mark Hume (Tony Hackworth 76). Sub (not used): Andy Caine (gk).
Report: Boston United saw their play-off ambitions virtually wiped away when suffering a slender 1-0 home reverse against title-chasing Harrogate. The Pilgrims arguably enjoyed the better of the play on a day when a forceful downfield wind made life difficult for both sets of players. However, it was Harrogate who bagged maximum points thanks to a solitary goal seconds before the interval by Danny Holland. The result leaves the Pilgrims still entrenched in mid-table and now almost completely detached from the top five reckoning. The match began with the pilgrims having the breezy conditions in their favour. And they carved out the game’s first two chances, snap shots by Matt O’Halloran and Jon Rowan both bringing good saves from keeper Jon McLaughlin. At the other end, the 12^th minute yielded a Harrogate chance when Mark Hume got through only to see an angled drive blocked by Simon Rayner’s legs. Boston hit back and went close in the 19^th minute when Micky Nuttell’s downward header from an O’Halloran corner bounced down and over the bar via an inadvertent flick by team-mate Kieran Leabon. The visitors answered once more with a couple of dangerous moves. The first saw Holland shoot off target and the second ended with Steve Burton driving across goal and inches wide. But Harrogate’s rising pressure levels led to them taking the lead with the first half just ticking into stoppage time. Holland broke free down the right and raced on to bury a low, angled drive beyond Rayner and into the far corner of the Boston net. Just 50 seconds into the second half, Boston were agonisingly close to a leveller when home man-of-the-match Stewart Talbot saw a 25-yard drive smack against the foot of a post and zip away across the face of the goal without any United man able to get a telling touch. Harrogate responded with a decent effort of their own on 63 minutes when Hume saw a header held by Rayner after holland’s bicycle kick had created the opportunity. Back at the other end, Boston then went close twice to equalising in the space of a few seconds. But neither Leabon nor Liam Green were able to finish off good build-up work. When Harrogate attacked again in the 77^th minute, substitute Tony Hackworth showed neat skills when twisting to get in a shot from 15 yards that forced Rayner into an awkward save at the expense of a corner. Boston tried hard to keep up a purposeful momentum but continually floundered on what was a well-organised visiting back line. Referee: A Morbin. Attendance: 1,498 (away support of 32)
Saturday February 23^rd, 2008 Blue Square North
Workington Town	0	Boston United	1
		Rowan 6
Team (4-4-2): Adam Collin; Lee Andrews, Kyle May, Alan Gray, Gari Rowntree; Graham Anthony, Craig Johnston (Andrew Hardman 89), Tony Hopper, David Hewson (Anthony Wright 46); Matthew Berkeley, Johhny Wright. Subs (not used): Phil McLuckie, Daniel Gullen, Aaron Taylor (gk).