Stratford Town 1-2 Pilgrims

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by Craig Singleton

A Boston United side made the trip to Warwickshire on Friday evening to face last season's Interlink Express League runners-up Stratford Town. And the Pilgrims, fielding a mixture of new signings, trialists and established first teamers, emerged 2-1 winners. Boston were the dominant force throughout the match, but had to thank keeper Kevin Martin for maintaining a blank scoresheet when he superbly saved a Town penalty conceded by Colin Hoyle.

Boston went ahead on 40 minutes when Anthony Elding converted a cross from another trialist, Jamie Goldman. In the 60th minute Adie Hayes fluffed a golden chance to double the advantage when firing against a post from close range. That miss was the forerunner to a 66th minute Stratford equaliser. But Boston grabbed a 75th minute winner when Leigh Taylor finished off neat interchange play with Hayes. The match was notable for a surprise appearance as a 30th minute substitute of assistant manager Trevor Quow who replaced achilles injury victim Lennie Curtis.

United team: 1. Martin (Kendrick 46), 2. Gowshall, 3. Curtis (Quow 30), 4. Hoyle (Cramman 46), 5. Herbert, 6. Taylor, 7. Goldman, 8. Minett, 9. Elding, 10. Rawle (Harrison 46), 11. Hayes. Subs (not used): Stanhope, De Souza.