Drive To Survive

Boston United 1-0 Altrincham (National League)

It's amazing to think Boston United have won more points (26) in their last thirteen games, than they did in their first 28 matches of this season where they recorded just twenty.

After a 1-0 defeat at Halifax in February, Boston sat ten points adrift of safety, today they are outside of the relegation places with chance to bridge a six point gap on the drop zone.

The ridiculous run under Graham Coughlan has not only given Boston United a real chance of survival, by winning two of their last four games, they can probably do it with some to spare.

As for Alty, they have slipped of late with five successive losses in March, they went seven league games without a win and crashed out of the National League Cup at the semi final stage to Leeds U21's but go into todays match just a point outside the playoffs after beating Yeovil at the weekend.

It'll probably be my last trip to the Jakemans this season as the wife has jobs for me over Easter, I'm out the door past midday on Saturday, a flask of tea filled and some chocolate chip cookies to go, I'm on the road in sunshine, it's been a fabulous week and I'm heading straight to a friends BBQ after the game, wearing jeans, t-shirt and nothing but a body warmer in case it gets nippy later, I'm down the A52 and through Grantham where I spot a lad doing a wheelie on his bike as he passes a Wetherspoons whilst I wait at the traffic lights.

I've the Man City v Palace game on radio which ebbs and flows as I drive through flat Lincolnshire countryside sunlit, before pulling up in Wyberton with the half time score at the Etihad locked at 2-2.

As I get out the car an Altrincham fan asks "am I ok to park here" as he plonks his car behind mine outside somebody's new build house. "Until they put signs up to say otherwise I think we'll be ok" I reply.

The Venue

It's all go in this part of Boston, a village with a population under 4,000 once listed in the 1086 Doomsday Book with 38 houses and a church, is one that these days links directly into the main town built up from the south edge along the A17 Spalding Road.

Around the ground is a new housing estate with food and coffee chain outlets, it looks like they're also building some kind of petrol station on the Wallace Way, as I join some fans walking towards the newly built Jakemans Stadium before crossing the busy road.

I'm in the ticket office to collect my accreditation before walking in through turnstile one of the Main Stand, stopping off for a quick pee and looking up at the TV inside the concourse to see City v Palace is now 4-2, I decide it's match over, and not worth watching the remainder, as I walk out from under the stand at pitch level, pure sunlight above the green perfect surface, then I head up the steps to my usual pew in front of Radio Lincolnshire.

It's a cracking view of the three sided stadium, a nice section for the press, cosy with flip down tables and power points, a scout I know has brought his lad with him today, as he sits him down in front of our seats with a tray of chips covered in tomato sauce.

The Game

Altrincham are in Man City sky blue today, Boston in their bee stripes of yellow and black, the away side seem to have a lot of the early possession but are doing little with it. Boston in 5-4-1 formation get bodies behind the ball as Altrincham's Callum Dolan tries his luck from range, he shouldn't have bothered.

A half with plenty of chances, Linney next runs down the Alty right to cross a teasing centre which crashes off the crossbar, Gregory in the Pilgrims goal reacting quickly to ensure the rebound isn't forced home, then at the other end Jai Rowe headed a looping dipper towards target from a corner, which caused all sorts of problems for young Caleb Ansen in goal, the teenage Norwich loanee lucky to see the ball cannon off the crossbar on to the post and then on to his own head and away from safety.

It all seems to be going off as the styles contrast, shots at each end near miss but don't trouble, Boston set to break with Alty keeping possession, looking to pounce on any misplaced pass, which there are plenty, and on 26 lone striker Jacob Hazel is sent on his way, he holds up magnificently against two defenders before spinning and crossing to Frankie Maguire running forward from midfield, Maguire who's often endless running gets my weekly seal of approval, he shows a cool and calm head to race into the box, look up and slot home, but he was given far too much time by the Altrincham defenders who backed off and made it very easy for the former Chorley and Sheffield United youngster to get his shot off and score.

The Score

That goal gives Boston something to cling onto and they go in at half time worthy leaders, before a second half which had them well drilled and organised, in taking less risks, they allowed their opponents the ball, and in spells had plenty of it in the opposition half which took the pressure off.

Neither goal being tested in the second 45, it felt routine for Boston, the in form team to continue their run, but late on the nerves jangled of those around, the home side deeper still in defence, but Altrincham failing at any time to penetrate a back five, well marshalled by a central three of Teale, Mills and Nicholson.

Boston were brilliant, man for man deserving their win, and by the time freed from desire was being played on the tannoy, and their lap of honour concluded, the Pilgrims were five points from the relegation zone with just four left to play.

As I walked out to pat the clubs PA announcer and statistician Christian on the back, he said 'one more win will do it'. One from four and safety should be guaranteed, it's now firmly in Boston's hands and it's looking very good for another season staying in the National League.

The Stars

Boston were brilliant and man for man there wasn't anybody lower than a seven out of ten in their eleven, but lone frontman Jacob Hazel ran his socks off, he looks slimmer and trimmer, in fact all the Boston players look fitter and healthier, Hazel running himself into the ground for 80 minutes, on a couple of occasions in the first half I jokingly likened him to 'R9' with his pace and running, which also questioned me to suggest he might need to take a urine sample after the game.

Hazel was brilliant, but Frankie Maguire for me was better, he's a midfielder aged 21 that could potentially play in the football league. Full of running, full of work rate, whilst today adding that bit of match-winning end product too.

Maguire's work rate and energy is matched in midfield by Dylan Hill, Boston have two of the fittest footballers in the division and that as much as most has given them this realistic chance now of survival.

Also helping the cause, United's form has picked up since the experienced utility man Zak Mills has played centre half, but the signing of Connor Teale, who only played one game in two months for Altrincham, could potentially have been the signing that saved Boston's season, he's a young centre back who's all around game is consistently brilliant, and adding Brad Nicholson back from Scunthorpe has provided a well gelled back line which is now very hard to score against.

As for Altrincham, not their day but plenty of players on show who had a lot of the ball, who on another day might have been able to make a break through.

They have good players, experience for the level, Alex Newby, Regan Lilley, real threats in attack, who weren't fully at it, of all Matty Kosylo was most lively on the right, Tom Crawford and Elliot Osbourne sometimes classy in midfield, whilst Callum Dolan on loan from Fleetwood Town, wearing 77, looks to be a player with a bit of edge. He glides in that ten role and looks to get on the ball in pockets, against a stern defence though he struggled, but he's still finding his feet at the Robins in just his fourth game for the club.

Defensively I quite liked Altrincham, I did joke they seem to play their best football between their back four, Phil Parkinson has them playing out from the back, not without risk, the experienced Lewis Baines at centre half played alongside young Charlie Olson, only 20 and on loan from Blackburn Rovers, he did well against a handful in Jacob Hazel.

The Verdict

Boston are very close to being safe now. Win on Good Friday against Wealdstone and it'll be a great Friday for them indeed.

Whilst Alty must pick themselves up, now four points below the playoffs in eighth they are not out of it yet, but should they lose any more ground in their final four games, they might as well start booking their holidays for early May.

The Teams

Boston United: Cameron Gregory, Connor Teale, Zak Mills, Brad Nicholson, Jai Rowe, Jordan Richards, Greg Sloggett, Cameron Green, Dylan Hill (Olly Green 90), Frankie Maguire (Keaton Ward 78), Jacob Hazel (James Gale 80).

Altrincham: Caleb Ansen, Lewis Banks, Charlie Olson (James Jones 68), Lewis Baines, Tylor Golden (Matt Penney 75), Tom Crawford, Elliot Osborne (George Wilson 75), Matty Kosylo (Lucas Weaver 82), Callum Dolan (Kahrel Reddin 65), Alex Newby, Regan Linney.

3:00pm Kick Off. Saturday 12th April 2025, Jakemans Stadium, Boston (att 2,320).