Clevedon Town 0-0 Pilgrims

Dr Martens League

by Barbara Singleton

Below par Boston United earned a valuable point with a 0-0 draw at Clevedon Town on Saturday. In a game lacking many clearcut chances United's attacking play was devoid of imagination and they had keeper Paul Bastock to thank for a great 78th minute save to earn a share of the spoils. The Pilgrims made the long journey to the south-west looking for victory to take them 11 points clear in the Dr Martens Premier Division title race with their nearest rivals all being involved in FA Trophy action. Manager Steve Evans made just one change to his starting line-up from the one which drew 2-2 at Newport last Saturday. Peter Costello came in to replace the injured Lennie Curtis, for whom he came on after just four minutes at Newport. Steve Charles and Kevin Noteman, who were both missing last weekend, were named as two of the substitutes. In the seventh minute Stanhope's dangerous-looking centre was well intercepted by Jefferies to avert the danger. At the other end, a minute later, Cooke broke clear but was denied by a brave save by Bastock. United won the first corner of the game in the ninth minute when Costello's shot was deflected wide, but Wilson put his flag-kick straight into the side netting. After 18 minutes Rollo's cross went over Gowshall's head allowing Rawlins to centre into the middle, but Hoyle headed clear. Peters' cross-shot from the right in the 22nd minute had Bastock back-pedalling to save on his line. Then Lester fired over from outside the box after half an hour's play as Town looked to break the deadlock. A great ball by Power set Costello free in the 37th minute and his centre was cut out by Haines for a corner.

Wilson's resulting flag-kick skimmed across the goalmouth; no Boston attackers were able to get in a shot and the home defence were able to clear. Town missed a great chance of taking the lead in the 41st minute when Bastock dashed to the edge of his area to save from Cook. The United keeper couldn't get a hand on the ball, as it was outside the box. It broke free and Cook ran on to it but scooped his shot wide of the empty net. A minute before the break Clevedon won their first corner and it caused panic in the Boston defence. Bastock made one good save and Costello cleared another off the line as the shots came in. Finally a second corner was conceded. In the 48th minute Stanhope's ball into the box found Power, but he scooped his shot over. Rawlins' low shot from a dropped ball by the referee was easily saved by Bastock after 56 minutes. At the other end, a minute later, Power's low shot was blocked by Hervin in the Town goal. The first booking came in the 59th minute when Peters was shown the yellow card following a trip on Wilson. Bastock did well to punch away Rollo's free-kick from the head of Rawlins in the 67th minute. Boston made a change in the 75th minute when Watts replaced Nuttell in an attempt to break down the home rearguard. Bastock made a great save to push away Milsom's header after 78 minutes. The Pilgrims made a second substitution when Charles replaced Childs in the 83rd minute. Their final substitution came in the 87th minute when Noteman came on for Norris. Charles tried a long-range effort in the 89th minute, but it went wide.

United team: 1. Paul Bastock, 2. Joby Gowshall, 3. Paul Wilson, 4. Colin Hoyle, 5. Peter Costello, 6. David Rennie, 7. Andrew Stanhope, 8. Gary Childs, 9. Mickey Nuttell, 10. Lee Power, 11. David Norris, 12. Paul Watts, 14. Kevin Noteman, 15. Steve Charles.