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Scrambled Eggs

Boston United 0-1 FC Halifax Town (National League)

I thought I would be here more often this year? I did the first game of the season for Boston v Rochdale and was asked to do the next, but the wife had me double booked at a friend’s barbeque and I’ve not been back since, although keeping an eye on the results, things have not been good for the Pilgrims, so probably best I've stayed away.


Promoted through the National League North playoffs it was always going to be a tough task staying in the league above, injuries have played their part, but the summer sales of Kelsey Mooney and Jimmy Knowles haven’t helped either, two players who scored sack loads between them in their promotion year, both now in the football league at Accrington Stanley.


Last time I watched Halifax it was so long ago, Jamie Vardy was playing for them, a 2-0 win at Retford United won them the Northern Premier League in 2011, the club only formed in 2008 after huge tax debts sent the previous Shaymen under, a former football league club, ever since the phoenix has risen the club are yet to return to the promised land, but are eighth and knocking on the playoff door this time around, hoping for a win on their first ever visit to the Jakeman’s having last played Boston at York Street in 2016.


The weathers awful, a quick dog walk around the estate in drizzle and some scrambled eggs on toast for brunch and I’m out of the door for 12:30 with the radio on as Spurs and West Ham do battle, I’m trudging along the A52 as it starts to brighten up, through Grantham and into the flat pastures of Lincolnshire where you can switch off and take in the scenery down the single lane roads.


The Venue


I’ve arrived for 2pm and park up over the road, walking over the A16 where a tractor stops at the traffic lights, to get my ticket from the club’s reception, before entering the turnstile into a smokey concourse that smells of chip fat.


I’ve plenty of time so have a PG tips tea and KitKat as I watch a bit of the London Derby which by now has Spurs 4-1 up, before walking out, and up, towards my seat at the back of the stand, a good view from the press seats and some familiar faces to have a good chinwag with.


The pitch is earthy, green and flat with some bounce, you feel it’ll take a stud, the stands opposite and to my left glowing under now bright Autumnal sunlight, to the right and behind the goal it’s still a cleared construction site, once finished it’ll be superb, but it seems to be the funds planned in finishing the stadium have been held back somewhat to put into the playing budget and perhaps keeping the club in the division.


The Game


Boston are giving a debut to their on loan Norwich City midfielder Finley Welch, the Pilgrims were thumped in midweek by local rivals Gainsborough Trinity 4-0 in the FA Cup, Trinity are two steps lower than Boston so I tell the PA guy sat next to me “It surely can’t be any worse today”.


The game kicks off, Halifax pump the ball forward, full back Coates gets in a tangle with Oluwabori down the left, the winger pick-pockets the right back and dribbles into the area before scuffing a low deflected shot into the corner of the net. 1-0 Halifax in under a minute, the PA guy then shows me a text off his Boston supporting mate which predicts todays score line will ‘probably’ end in embarrassing 10-0 defeat.


You expect the home side to crumble and the fans to deflate their pessimistic pre-game ambience into noisy negativity, but Boston push back Halifax and have a real go, without really troubling Sam Johnson in the visitors goal.


Ian Culverhouse’s side have moments largely through the tenacity of Sam Osborne who’s best opportunity is when he nicks the ball in the final third to round the keeper but he doesn’t go down after a nudge as the ball runs out of play.


The Score


At half time there’s been few chances at either end and you expect, from scoring so early, that Halifax won’t come out of the blocks in the second half, content with keeping Boston at bay, defensively, former Pilgrim Jo Cummings has dealt with Jacob Hazell, and there’s not been much for them to worry about.


But the second half is much better from Boston, by now the fans are buying into their methods, positive in their approach, Osborne getting more influential and Finlay Welch is starting to play with some confidence, a chance for Jacob Hazell who’s shot is cleared off the line, Bostwick headers inches wide from a set play, Osborne unable to test the goalkeeper with a fizzing drive from long range before Welch cracks the post with a superb effort.


Despite defeat, It’s been a huge improvement on their FA Cup exit, and but for a bit of luck, Boston might have grabbed a point, but a costly early error and their lack of firepower, two reasons to why they might find things difficult if they are to stay in the division.


The Stars


Halifax never really needed to get out of first gear, gifted an early advantage they played percentage football, attacked on limited opportunity and defended their opponents threat, Jo Cummings and Will Smith brilliant defensively, Adam Senior and Ryan Galvin playing their part from full backs too, in midfield the tenacious Jack Evans put a shift in, with a minute to go he won a tackle on half way and carried the ball a good twenty yards forward, the sort of leadership needed late on in games to see them out, in attack, out wide left, matchwinner Oluwabori was a constant threat, technically awkward and of good tall and leggy height.


For Boston they had plenty of positives, Aidan Stone commanded his goal well, Cameron Green did well at left back and after an early error, Kieran Coates improved too, Micheal Bostwick did Michael Bostwick things and was booked for a huge no nonsense tackle on Oluwabori in the second half, in midfield Jordan Richards combined well with the busy Sam Osborne, Dylan Hill quietly went about his business and Finlay Welch had a terrific debut, he looks like a proper footballer and well above National League level, whilst Jacob Hazell in attack didn’t have a great game, he does have something, played to his strengths he still could be the man that scores the goals to keep Boston up?

 

The Verdict


Next up for Boston is a Wednesday night match with AFC Fylde who themselves are in the relegation zone, I’ll be there for that one and if Boston play like they played against Halifax, they’ll have every chance of getting something.


Halifax themselves are heading in the right direction, they have a good solid side and will be in the running for promotion this season, it may have been a no frills win, they didn’t need too many skills to get victory, but they are organised and hard to break down which will keep them in a lot of games this season.


The Teams


Boston United: Aidan Stone, Kieran Coates (Jai Rowe 62), Michael Bostwick, Zak Mills, Cameron Green, Jordan Richards, Dylan Hill, Sam Osborne (Pemi Aderoju 74), Keaton Ward, Finley Welch (Frankie Maguire 82), Jacob Hazel.


FC Halifax Town: Sam Johnson, Adam Senior, Jo Cummings, Will Smith, Ryan Galvin, Jamie Cooke (Florent Hoti 72), Scott High (Owen Bray 63), Jack Evans, Adan George, Billy Waters, Andrew Oluwabori (Adam Alimi-Adetoro 82).


3:00pm Kick Off. Saturday 19th October 2024, Jakemans Stadium, Boston (att 1,720).

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