Home Results Table Statistics

Doncaster Rovers 2-1 Pilgrims

Avon Insurance League Cup

by Craig Singleton

Despite taking an early lead through a Jamie Cook goal, Boston United Reserves slipped to defeat in the Avon Insurance League Cup on Wednesday. Their Doncaster Rovers opponents ran out 2-1 victors thanks to a brace of goals from striker Tristram Whitman in this group match, which saw United eliminated from the competition. The match, played on a cold and damp afternoon at Belle Vue, also witnessed the return of Alex Higgins. It was the United midfielder's first taste of competitive football since he was diagnosed with epilepsy. He completed the full 90 minutes in midfield alongside the likes of Neil Redfearn and Cook who had also been short of match action of late. Cook almost put Boston ahead in the eighth minute but saw his low shot cannon back off a post after he had beat two defenders to create the opening. However, he was not to be denied and United took the lead on 13 minutes when COOK fired home after goalkeeper Stuart Nelson had spilled Tony Battersby's shot.

It was Battersby's final appearance in a United shirt after his contract was not renewed and he was even replaced a half-time by Paul Hart. On the half-hour, Whitman fired marginally wide after good play by Brian Craig. Back at the other end, Nelson produced a fine save to deny a rising shot from David Town that had seemed destined for the corner of the net. Doncaster equalised on 35 minutes when WHITMAN headed home from a Keith Foy centre. A subsequent effort from Whitman was well gathered by Nick Conroy. Moments before the interval, Boston lost the services of defender Ross Weatherstone who was caught by a flailing elbow. His nasty head wound requires stitches and manager Neil Thompson took his place in defence. Town was denied again by Nelson as the Doncaster keeper parried his long-range effort wide of the post. Exchanges were equal in the second half. However, Rovers seized the initiative and went ahead after 53 minutes when WHITMAN smashed home a 20-yarder after skipping past Paul Ellender and Anthony Elding to seal the win for his side.

United team: 1. Conroy, 2. Elding, 3. Gould, 4. Ellender, 5. R Weatherstone (N Thompson 42), 6. Higgins, 7. Cook, 8. Redfearn, 9. Battersby (Hart 46), 10. Town, 11. Angel (Hardie 56).