Pilgrims:2 U's:3
I miss our regular trips to Boston.
There’s something very other-worldly about the journey to deepest darkest Lincolnshire, where you pass through places you would otherwise never see: Tyde Gote, Lutton Garnsgate, and Whaplode Drove were particular favourites of mine, although sadly we didn’t get to sample the delights of Quadring Eaudyke. Next perhaps.
York Street is not a bad ground either and, like United did for many years, the Pilgrims give their best stand to away supporters. The view from the Town End puts most of the Blue Square Premier grounds to shame, and the whole thing wobbles when you jump up and down, which is cool if slightly disconcerting.
Boston of course have sustained multiple relegations over the last couple of years, a hangover from the days when Steve Evans and his cronies were in charge. Crawley fans beware, this could be your future. Having dispensed with one unlikeable manager in Evans, the Pilgrims decided to appoint another in the form of Tommy Turncoat Taylor, who of course famously ditched United to go to Orient, declaring that he would “walk down the M11” to join the O’s. Shame he didn’t try that during rush hour if you ask me, ahem.
Anyway, United started really well, and Challinor had already forced a good save from the Boston keeper by the time we took an eighth minute lead. Robbie Willmott worked a short corner with Beesley, and sent in a delicious curling cross to the near post, which found the net via the slightest of slight touches from Danny Crow’s outstretched boot. In fact I’m not sure it even touched him at all, but he did that OTT, orgasm-face, celebration again so no-one is going to try and take it off him I’m sure.
At this stage it looked like it was going to be a walk in the park for the U’s, with Jardim in particular menacing the Boston backline. But to give Turncoat Tommy some credit, he made an early change, bringing on Kieron Leabon, and the pacy winger got the equaliser, finding space between Hatswell and Bolland to head in a rightwing free kick.
Boston had the better of things from then up until half time, with United struggling to regain their early lustre. Although Challinor had the ball in the net, he was (correctly) ruled offside, and we were lucky to survive what looked like a blatant penalty when the ball spun up and struck Anthony Tonkin on the arm.
Speaking of Tonkin, I was astounded to see the Brabinator meting out praise in his direction after the game. I thought he had a stinker of Titus Bramble proportions, and in fact Boston could’ve scored directly from one of his cock ups. He gave the ball away and was stranded high up the field as the home side broke, with Leabon eventually squared the ball to Ollie Ryan, who somehow shot high over the bar with the goal gaping.
By now, United were in front thanks to Robbie Willmott’s first senior goal. He made a good run forward and fired in a shot from distance that probably wasn’t troubling the keeper until it took a massive deflection and ended up in the opposite corner to that which it was originally heading towards.
There’s something very other-worldly about the journey to deepest darkest Lincolnshire, where you pass through places you would otherwise never see: Tyde Gote, Lutton Garnsgate, and Whaplode Drove were particular favourites of mine, although sadly we didn’t get to sample the delights of Quadring Eaudyke. Next perhaps.
York Street is not a bad ground either and, like United did for many years, the Pilgrims give their best stand to away supporters. The view from the Town End puts most of the Blue Square Premier grounds to shame, and the whole thing wobbles when you jump up and down, which is cool if slightly disconcerting.
Boston of course have sustained multiple relegations over the last couple of years, a hangover from the days when Steve Evans and his cronies were in charge. Crawley fans beware, this could be your future. Having dispensed with one unlikeable manager in Evans, the Pilgrims decided to appoint another in the form of Tommy Turncoat Taylor, who of course famously ditched United to go to Orient, declaring that he would “walk down the M11” to join the O’s. Shame he didn’t try that during rush hour if you ask me, ahem.
Anyway, United started really well, and Challinor had already forced a good save from the Boston keeper by the time we took an eighth minute lead. Robbie Willmott worked a short corner with Beesley, and sent in a delicious curling cross to the near post, which found the net via the slightest of slight touches from Danny Crow’s outstretched boot. In fact I’m not sure it even touched him at all, but he did that OTT, orgasm-face, celebration again so no-one is going to try and take it off him I’m sure.
At this stage it looked like it was going to be a walk in the park for the U’s, with Jardim in particular menacing the Boston backline. But to give Turncoat Tommy some credit, he made an early change, bringing on Kieron Leabon, and the pacy winger got the equaliser, finding space between Hatswell and Bolland to head in a rightwing free kick.
Boston had the better of things from then up until half time, with United struggling to regain their early lustre. Although Challinor had the ball in the net, he was (correctly) ruled offside, and we were lucky to survive what looked like a blatant penalty when the ball spun up and struck Anthony Tonkin on the arm.
Speaking of Tonkin, I was astounded to see the Brabinator meting out praise in his direction after the game. I thought he had a stinker of Titus Bramble proportions, and in fact Boston could’ve scored directly from one of his cock ups. He gave the ball away and was stranded high up the field as the home side broke, with Leabon eventually squared the ball to Ollie Ryan, who somehow shot high over the bar with the goal gaping.
By now, United were in front thanks to Robbie Willmott’s first senior goal. He made a good run forward and fired in a shot from distance that probably wasn’t troubling the keeper until it took a massive deflection and ended up in the opposite corner to that which it was originally heading towards.
Ryan received a bit of, ahem, light-hearted banter from the United fans following his miss, so it wasn’t a surprise that he appeared to enjoy his goal when it did come. Crow gave possession away needlessly when he could’ve just walloped the ball clear, and Talbot picked up possession and slung in a cross to the back stick where Froggatt headed down for Ryan to slam the ball into the roof of the net from close range.
Danny Potter made a smart stop to foil Ryan again as Boston went in search of the winner, but the fifth and final goal came it was at the other end. Willmott was again the instigator, cutting in from the right this time and curling in a cross which ex-U Matt Bloomer flicked over his own keeper and into the net. To be honest it was about time he made a positive contribution to our cause.
It was an enjoyable, open, game, with plenty of chances. Neither side defended very well, and it’s quite strange that United’s backline have gone from being tighter than a ducks proverbial to looking like they could concede at any minute. If we can get the attack and defence working at the same time we’ll be an awesome prospect, but then I guess that’s the key to football, isn’t it?
Man of the Match: Robbie Willmott – Pace, direct running, assists, and a goal to boot. And I’m fairly sure there’s still a fair bit to come from the young winger.
Danny Potter made a smart stop to foil Ryan again as Boston went in search of the winner, but the fifth and final goal came it was at the other end. Willmott was again the instigator, cutting in from the right this time and curling in a cross which ex-U Matt Bloomer flicked over his own keeper and into the net. To be honest it was about time he made a positive contribution to our cause.
It was an enjoyable, open, game, with plenty of chances. Neither side defended very well, and it’s quite strange that United’s backline have gone from being tighter than a ducks proverbial to looking like they could concede at any minute. If we can get the attack and defence working at the same time we’ll be an awesome prospect, but then I guess that’s the key to football, isn’t it?
Man of the Match: Robbie Willmott – Pace, direct running, assists, and a goal to boot. And I’m fairly sure there’s still a fair bit to come from the young winger.
Strange fashion statement of the Match: On the way into the ground we spied two different sets of teenagers wearing one leg-warmer of a pair each. Is this some kind of trend amongst the youth of today that has passed me by? Or is Boston just a bit odd? 
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