Last Day

Boston United 3-1 Hartlepool United (National League)

The last day of the National League season and the biggest game in arguably the competition's history as leaders York City visit second place Rochdale with a winner takes all tie to secure promotion back to the Football League.

York have 107 points and a draw will do for the Minstermen to return to the 92 after 10 years away. Rochdale on 105 points need nothing less than victory to themselves return to League Two after a three year absence.

It's caused worthy argument for the 3up campaign and although I'm not against it, I kind of like the fact that it's quite hard to get promoted from non league, that we get these types of occurrences when two fabulous teams pushing for the championship go head to head with stakes so high and it's not all doom and gloom for second place who will still get a second chance in the playoffs.

No chance of either Boston or Hartlepool getting promoted though, both sides end their seasons today in the middle of the National League pack, the Pools blowing slim chance of playoff pipedreams weeks ago, Boston around the same time mathematically avoiding relegation, the last few weeks in cruise control have seen the Pilgrims unbeaten in five whilst the Monkey Hangers have won their last two.

It's a fabulous spring day, the sun is out and 18 degrees is predicted for later, I've got the meat ready for a BBQ and have told the wife I'll be home early due to this 12:30pm kick off on the East Lincolnshire coast, driving through the busy town of Grantham, it's much quieter on the A52 where I see yellow fields and hawks flying, I even spot a muntjac deer trying nervously to cross the road.

The Venue

I left home a bit later than usual today so arrive at destination around 50 minutes ahead of kick off. Cars already parked everywhere on Wallace Way, I'm lucky to find space in a construction site car park before noticing a pink dinosaur get out of a white Ford Focus and inflate himself up.

There's plenty of pink around as I walk towards the Jakemans Stadium, the Hartlepool fans are raising cash for Breast Cancer Awareness and have made the collective efforts rather than wearing the traditional random fancy dress as is the norm for away supporters on the last day of the season, it's a great touch and there's a lot of them here from the North East, in fact the place is packed as I head for the ticket office, queues of children in Boston United colours outside the Main Stand. Tomorrow is the clubs community day but today all the Pilgrims junior teams will be paraded on the pitch at half time, it feels like there's thousands going to be in attendance, I'm not even sure where they are all going to sit.

Inside as kick off nears it's already packed with over 500 Pools fans in Palermo pink on the far side.

Construction update: the stand to my right is progressing nicely, and looks like it'll be ready for the start of next season, once complete this will be a fabulous place as it already is, soon to be enclosed by four modern stands and a beautiful flat wide green pitch as seemingly standard.

The Game

Former Pilgrim Peter Costello, sat behind me on radio coms has predicted that Jordan Richards will score today. He's not scored in three years but I tell him that's not a bad outside shout as my punt is a 3-3 goal fest with defences out the window, a scout I know from Holbeach has 4-4 whilst a mate of his who's been boozing in the corporate 85 club all morning has a more realistic outlook at 2-2.

Unlike last week at Solihull you feel it's two teams playing out the last day with good intention to win, to go out on a high, the start is lively, front to back as Hartlepool knock on the door through the dangerous Alex Reid, before Jordan Richards lets fly from the edge of the box, a fizzer that is brilliantly turned around the posts by goalkeeper Adam Smith. I turn to Costello as he bounces up before planting hands on face like a punter who's horse has been beaten on the line.

There's not much doing after a lively start, Pools defender Parks goes down with what looks like an ankle problem, he's replaced by Brad Walker, there's some neat play largely through Frankie Maguire for Boston, largely through Jamie Miley and Jay Smith-Sway for Hartlepool, but defences are on top, on loan Jake Rooney looking like an established centre half that will go back to league football an even better player next season, whilst Hartlepool's Jay Benn does well at left back, he has a good battle with Marcel Lavinier as the two try to out run each other, Benn looks to have advantage before Lavinier sliding tackles the ball out for a throw-in which erupts the biggest roar of the half from the home support.

The Score

At half time my 3-3 isn't looking great as we check the scores from elsewhere, Rochdale and York is nil nil whilst other games I have interest on include Alfreton Town's match with Curzon Ashton where both teams can get relegated from the National League North.

No changes at the break and not much change in dynamic either, there's forward aggression and a couple of bookings but neither goalkeeper is troubled, before Hartlepool win a corner on the hour. Boston manager Paul Hurst deciding to bring on two substitutes ahead of Jamie Miley's inswinger, headed home by Max Kouogun unmarked.

"That's why you don't make changes when defending corners" I say aloud, perhaps Jacob Hazel who was replaced by Lenell John-Lewis would have had the responsibility of marking Kouogun who powerfully rose above the rest.

That goal opens the game up as Boston now become more hungry to net bulge themselves, Connor Teale racing down the right cuts in and lets fly, low, hard, an unlikely goal source but the makeshift full back delivers, a goal which lifts the mood inside the stadium.

There's children singing 'BUFC' down below, the next generation of ultras are lifting the home team who by now have the bit between their teeth, the games best player Frankie Maguire takes aim, he shoots low, hard, from the edge of the area and like Teale into the Hartlepool net, to give Boston the lead.

It's a late revival and there's still time for 'TC' as Tom Cursons comes on, his signing from Harrogate in January seemingly a huge reason why Boston have stayed up, a brilliant finisher who only needs one chance, he's sent through on goal and calmly slots home, a ninth in seventeen wearing amber and black.

That goal enough to end season in celebratory fashion, as many of the young fans here run onto the pitch post match. I see this as opportunity to get quickly to my car and beat the traffic, whilst saying to those around me goodbye for now, and see you all again next season.

The Stars

Jake Rooney was announced man of the match and I have absolutely no problem with that. He's not the biggest centre half but reads the game exceptionally well, is composed on the ball and never flustered, he had a good battle with Alex Reid and at one stage shoved the much bigger opponent to the floor, a tackle he had earlier made on the striker earned some familiar terrace calls of 'Rooney, Rooney'.

Next to Rooney who's on loan from Derby County and will probably play somewhere in the football league next season, Jamie Grimes who's on loan from Chesterfield offers voice and experience in the heart of defence, a real leader who has like Tom Cursons up front, made a difference to Boston's survival status this year. If Boston can keep Grimes who is probably surplus to requirements for the Spireites, it would be good business for all.

Another player they might want to keep, but probably won't is Frankie Maguire, an incredible engine who puts a 150% shift in each week, his running and endeavour from high in midfield is matched now with his quality in the final third, it'll be interesting to see how his young career continues to evolve.

For Hartlepool, they have plenty of good young players mixed in with a squad offering experience too.

Jamie Miley formerly of Newcastle United where his brother still plays in the Premier League, neat, tidy, inventive. I liked Jay Sway who got the ball and drove from midfield, he's on loan from Huddersfield and is just eighteen years old, whilst Jay Benn at left back was quick and combative, very powerful, the likes of Nathan Sheron, Alex Reid, Adam Campbell and all, offering plenty of National League knowhow.

The Verdict

In the end the score hardly mattered, but continue this form into next season and Boston United may even be considered as playoff contenders, although to do so they'll need to keep some of their assets of this campaign.

Similar to Hartlepool who may need to build with one of two additions, should Nicky Featherstone get some pocket change this summer, they could be a force to be reckoned with during 2026/27.

As for the champions? Well upon leaving the Jakemans Stadium, Rochdale were suddenly 1-0 up with a late goal, by the time I got to my car that score was 1-1 with an even later goal scored by York, who would eventually be crowned deserving winners of the league. Drama until the end in the fifth tier of English football. What a fabulous season it's been.

The Teams

Boston United: Louis Chadwick, Connor Teale (Tom Cursons 81), Jake Rooney, Jamie Grimes, Matty Carson, Jordan Richards, Oisin Gallagher, Marcel Lavinier (Luca Barrington 65), Frankie Maguire, Dylan Hill, Jacob Hazel (Lenell John-Lewis 65).

Hartlepool United: Adam Smith, Nathan Sheron, Maxim Kouogun, Tom Parkes (Brad Walker 17), Jay Sway, Jack Hunter, Jamie Miley, Matty Daly (Charlie Caton 61), Jay Benn, Alex Reid (Vadaine Oliver 61), Adam Campbell (Nathan Ferguson 80).

3:00pm Kick Off. Saturday 25th April 2026, Jakemans Stadium, Boston (att 2,969).