York City 2-0 Pilgrims

Nationwide League

Having defeated opponents from one cathedral city on Saturday, the team from St. Botolph's town was up against another when they took on the "Minstermen" on Bank Holiday Monday. York City had begun the season in style, by winning both their opening home matches, could they make it three in a row? Boston used the same side that had been successful against Lincoln, which meant that 39 year old acting manager Neil Thompson took to the field against his former club. Both key defensive summer signings; Ben Chapman and Ben Morley were still out with injuries, and 37 year old veteran Neil Redfearn had a place on the bench. For the first few minutes Boston had most of the play, but were failing to make the final breakthrough and get a shot on goal. The first effort of note came from York, when Jonathan Parkin looped a shot just over the bar. On twenty-two minutes York took the lead. A cross from the right was met by Bullock, whose shot was blocked, before the ball was slipped to a suspiciously offside DUFFIELD who made no mistake from 10 yards out. Boston made two substitutions before half-time.

Thompson took himself off to be replaced by Gould, and young on-loan striker Steven Burton was replaced by Neil Redfearn after he had been booked and then come close to being sent-off. York doubled their lead seven minutes into the second half. A free kick floated towards the left side of the area and caused confusion in the Boston defence. This allowed Lee NOGAN to pounce on a loose ball and drill home from close range. Apart from one shot from Weatherstone as he broke down the left wing, Boston never looked like scoring. Indeed York came close to increasing their lead on numerous occasions, Warburton headed a ball onto his own crossbar from a corner, and York had a goal disallowed for offside. On the evidence from this match, if Boston don't make some major improvements soon, then they will be heading straight back down to the Conference at the end of the season.

United team: 1. Bastock, 2. Rusk, 3. Hocking, 4. Ellender, 5. Thompson (Gould 41), 6. Bennett, 7. Warburton, 8. S Weatherstone, 9. Clare, 10. Burton (Redfearn 44), 11. Angel (Cook 61). Subs not used: Monington, Conroy.