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Pilgrims 2-1 Peterborough United

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by Barbara Singleton

Boston United successfully accounted for a Peterborough side in a match with added significance for keeper Paul Bastock. The Pilgrims' custodian savoured the sweet taste of success in the benefit game which marked the final chapter of his testimonial year. Bastock produced a handful of good saves at various stages throughout the 90 minutes which in turn played a key part in helping his team to another notable build-up result, following as it did a 2-0 win at King's Lynn and a 1-1 draw with Manchester United under-19s. It was an encounter in which Boston boss Steve Evans gave a starting berth to talented 16-year-old defender Dan Wormham and utilised trialists Carl Heggs and Warren Hackett, latterly with Rushden and Barnet respectively. The visitors, though, were the team who started the brightest, with Jon Cullen firing wide of the target when left with only Bastock to beat and then Daniel French seeing an effort partially blocked by James Gould with the ball eventually looping past a post. But Boston hit back with a good move which culminated in a scuffed finish by David Town. Both sides showed neat composure on the ball and it was from one creative move instigated by Mike Marsh that opened the way for Daryl CLARE to bury a shot low beyond Dan Connor to give Boston a 24th minute lead.

But that advantage lasted only three minutes with Howard FORRINTON heading home unmarked at the far post after Cullen had created space down the right before supplying an inviting cross. Towards half-time, three headed chances almost yielded further goals. Clare and the impressive Wormham almost restored Boston's lead while at the other end Ritchie Hanlon went close for the Posh. Both sides had chances early in the second half with Boro's Tom Williams testing Bastock and then Simon Weatherstone heading over from a Mickey Brown cross. However, Boston regained the initiative on 61 minutes when HEGGS swivelled to drill low past Connor after Jamie Cook and Town had grafted out the chance. Boston impressively continued the press and Town rattled the bar with an audacious 40-yard lob while Heggs fired off target in the 74th minute. Posh replied with two close calls late on, first with Wormham having to block a drive by Jimmy Bullard and then when Bastock saved superbly from Cullen.

Boston team: 1. Bastock, 2. Rusk, 3. Gould, 4. Hackett (Lodge 81), 5. Wormham, 6. Costello (S Weatherstone 46), 7. Cook, 8. Marsh (Clifford 89), 9. Clare (Heggs 46), 10. Town, 11. Brown (Angel 77). Subs (not used): Murphy, Monington.


This report originally appeared in the Lincolnshire Echo.