Pilgrims 2-1 Scarborough

Avon Insurance League

by Craig Singleton

Goals from Anthony Elding and Stuart Douglas secured a 2-1 Avon Insurance League Division One East victory for Boston United Reserves over Scarborough at York Street. After trailing early on, Boston responded with a spectacular equaliser from Elding and then grabbed the winner in the second half when Douglas converted. United included trialist Craig Smith in their line-up, a midfielder from Nationwide Conference side Halifax Town. Holbeach's Steve Barnes was also involved on the bench and impressed in the second half when he was introduced. Boston had plenty of chances in the opening stages of the game with Smith seeing a first minute header go wide from Neil Redfearn's free-kick. Then, Douglas and Redfearn both had efforts held by Gareth Downey after good crosses from James Gould.Next, David Town saw a low shot gathered by Downey, followed by a Smith drive that smacked the Boro crossbar and bounced to safety.

But it was Scarborough who took the lead on 13 minutes, somewhat against the run of play. Neil CAMPBELL fired home a low shot after a cross from the left by Olivier Brassart. Boston struggled to find a reply. Smith volleyed over from 20 yards as exchanges became scrappy. However, ELDING pulled his side level with a stunning first-time volley from 25 yards on 28 minutes, smashing the ball into the top corner, giving Downey no chance. Moments before the break, Douglas saw a fierce shot cannon back off the post and then for Scarborough, ex-Leeds United man Jason Blunt fired a free-kick wide. Second half chances were less frequent with two Brassart long-range efforts the closest the visitors came. Gould and Redfearn were denied by Downey before DOUGLAS struck the winner on 58 minutes when he prodded home from close-range.

United team: (4-4-2) 1. Conroy, 2. Costello, 3. Lodge, 4. Redfearn, 5. Monington, 6. Rusk (Barnes 46), 7. Town (Hart 80), 8. Smith, 9. Elding, 10. Douglas, 11. Gould. Sub (not used): Hardie.