Alstom Sports 1-1 Reserves

Lincolnshire League

Report by Colin Woodcock

Boston United Reserves maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a hard-earned draw away to Alstom Sports. With Paul Casey failing a fitness test on Saturday morning and Alan Ross going down with flu, manager John Luffman was forced to draft "golden oldie" Chris Cook into the back four as an emergency centre back. The home side enjoyed much the better of the play in the first half and only good saves by keeper Lee Crew and sterling work at the back by Leigh Taylor and Cook kept United in the game. Alstom took the lead midway through the opening half following a good passing move, and although this was just reward for their domination, they could not increase their advantage before the break. United's best chance of the half fell to Paul Watts. United came out much more positively after the interval and turned the game around.

Alstom opted to sit on their lead and soon found themselves pinned back as United grew in confidence. The equaliser came finally in the 82nd minute, the impressive TAYLOR volleying home a Gary Pawson flick-on following a Dane Thornton corner. At the end, manager Luffman was well satisfied with the draw, stating that 12 months ago his young side may well have capitulated to the first half pressure. Earlier on in the season he was fortunate to be able to field several first-team players, but changes in personnel at the club have meant he now faces a run-in to the title with a very young but nevertheless totally committed squad. After Saturday's performance it is not inconceivable that Cook could play a prominent part in those remaining games.

United team: 1. Lee Crew, 2. Leigh Taylor, 3. Gary Pawson, 4. Dane Thornton, 5. Chris Cook, 6. Danny Dack, 7. Danny Harrison, 8. Ross Nicholls, 9. Paul Watts, 10. Anthony Elding, 11. Gary Walters, 12. Glen Maddison, 14. Glen Kill, 15. John Luffman.