Boston United 3-1 York City (National League)
I'm back in Boston, following the abandonment against Southend United ten days ago when we were beaten by the Lincolnshire fog, the Pilgrims were well beaten themselves by Tamworth last weekend but beat Middlesbrough in the National League Cup on penalties midweek, Graham Coughlan's side are second bottom of the fifth tier, whilst York City managed by Adam Hinshelwood, are second top.
The Minstermen beat Oldham last time out but have stumbled of late, knocked out of the FA Trophy by Northern Premier League side Gainsborough Trinity they were beaten at home against Sutton United before a 2-0 victory over the Latics last Saturday. Today they'll be huge favourites against a side that hasn't won in the league since November.
It's midday, Boston is a 70 minute drive from my house, I'm nursing a hangover from a few Friday night drinks in town but well enough to soldier on through the drive, listening in to Talksport as they preview the days matches, the sun is out and the traffic is calm, down the A52 it's very rare you get any incidents which makes it a nice pleasurable drive to Boston as you look out on to the flat green pastures all around you.
The Venue
Arrived by 1:30pm, I'm ahead of schedule which allows me to park up pretty close to the stadium across the way. I notice quite a few York fans as I walk past Starbucks and Costa half thinking I should grab a coffee, but instead I'll save my coins for something inside the stadium, a quick sign of my name at the ticket office where I notice former Pilgrim Mark Clifford is also on the list, he's doing radio commentary today for BBC Radio Lincolnshire.
Inside the stand I'm ordering a pie, chips and gravy with a cup of tea and some fruit pastels for some extra energy. I've had good food here before but today's isn't up to much, not that into it, I chuck a large proportion of chips in the bin along with the outer rim of my firm and colding pie, before walking up to the media area where it's already full with a large section taken by the visitors.
The view is great, the pitch as always in good nick, I'm joined by a couple of familiar scouts as the players finish their warm ups. No chance of fog today, blue clear skies, crisp is the air as the two teams come back out to applause from a pretty full three sided modern arena.
The Game
The Referee has had the players out a couple of minutes early, he waits an age with them lined up to start for a 3pm kick off which is bang on the dot, but when they do start, it's evident that York, playing passing football, are in full control of the ball.
It's patient, it's slow, it's possession based, and within seven minutes the visitors are one up. Tyrese Sinclair, son of Frank, collects the ball out wide left, he cuts in, looks up, smacks it and buries an absolute beauty past Cameron Gregory from all of 30 yards.
The view we have is right behind the ball, right footed, swerving and dipping past the despairing dive, Sinclair's only intention when he got the ball was to 'have a go' and give it a 'thwack'.
That sparks some untasteful scenes. I noticed earlier plenty of York fans sitting in the Boston end, one of which is being ejected, his son crying his eyes out as first the stewards then the police grapple to get dad to unrestraint from arrest.
Drama over it's back to the pitch and York continue to dominate the ball, but Boston spark into life when a sloppy pass out by Cameron John is intercepted inside his own area, Jimmy Knowles kicks into the ground but forces a good save from Harrison Male who tips over, which leads to a spell of pressure, Connor Teale going close before staying up for a half cleared corner, Cameron Green finding him with space and time to slot home like a proper centre forward, not like a centre half which in fact he is.
The Score
At half time I have a chat with Mark Clifford who formerly managed Basford United of the Northern Premier League, asking him if he has any intentions to return back to the hot seat, he replies "No chance, I'm enjoying coming to games with no stress for a change, not dealing with players and agents"
The Boston PA guy Christian says "it'll be very Boston like if we lose this 3-1" after being impressed with his sides first half, he expects York to roll them over in the second 45, but as the game kicks back into life, you just don't see it, York are slow and predictable, Boston by now have the bit between their teeth, you can imagine their Manager Coughlan at half time saying "We can win this".
York by now have changed their goalkeeper as Harrison Male who injured his neck in trying to keep out Boston's leveller was subbed at half time. Rory Watson in his place is called into action as he saves one on one from Jimmy Knowles.
Watson however can't keep Knowles out as he finds himself unmarked at the back post on 67. Jai Rowe crossing to the former Mansfield striker who's on loan from Accrington, in space he smacks home the Pilgrims into a deserved lead.
You expect an onslaught from York in response but it never comes. Cameron Gregory has little to do in the second half after a couple of stunning saves in the first 45, and as the latter stages get more nervy those home fans feelings of pressure are eased as Jacob Hazel with space, bundles one home with four to go, exit a huge number of York fans who get off to beat the traffic.
The Stars
I'm disappointed with York, not for the first time this season, but they have proper footballers, who just weren't that at it today. Joe Felix and Callum Howe are a good centre back pairing, in midfield Alex Hunt is a bloody decent player, Ollie Pearce was largely anonymous in a number ten role, murmur is he needs to play further forward if they are to get the best out of him, I liked the physicality of new signing Josh Stones from Wigan up front, but he offered little threat in behind, it simply wasn't York's day and the Manager at the end of the match took responsibility for that, after making changes he stated "It was my fault".
Boston in contrast, after a nervy start were brilliant. Each game I watch Frankie Maguire I like him more and more, combative with energy his work rate stands out in the centre of the park, 39 year old Martin Woods in midfield next to him also showing his worth as a true leader and player you need in a relegation battle, in James Gale and Jimmy Knowles they look to have that goal threat which has alluded them during the first half of the season, Zak Mills doing well as an emergency centre back beside Connor Teale, that is a position they could do with addressing though.
The Verdict
York will have better days and are still one win with one game in hand of going back to the top of the division above Barnet and Forest Green. City face Dagenham & Redbridge next with further winnable games against Woking and Ebbsfleet.
Boston are still seven points from safety, but they'll be confident now that they can beat anybody on their day, surprisingly that's the double over York this season, not yet completely out of it, they have a slim chance of survival, but it's a big ask despite still having 20 games still to play.
The Teams
Boston United: Cameron Gregory, Jai Rowe, Zak Mills, Connor Teale, Cameron Green, Oisin Gallagher (Keaton Ward 88), Martin Woods (Jordan Richards 78), Dylan Hill, Frankie Maguire (Tony Weston 88), Jimmy Knowles (Jacob Hazel 80), James Gale (Kieran Coates 73).
York City: Harrison Male (Rory Watson 46), Joe Felix, Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Callum Howe, Cameron John (Marvin Armstrong 68), Billy Chadwick (Lenell John-Lewis 75), Alex Hunt, Ricky Aguiar (Dan Batty 68), Tyrese Sinclair, Josh Stones (Ashley Nathaniel-George 68), Ollie Pearce.
3:00pm Kick Off. Saturday 25th January 2025, Jakemans Stadium, Boston (att 2,362).
Comments