Pilgrims 1-1 Kidderminster Harriers

Friendly

by Barbara Singleton

Boston United's unbeaten pre-season sequence has now reached double figures. The Pilgrims made it 10 matches without defeat in their Conference campaign build-up with a creditable home draw against Football League new boys Kidderminster. Manager Steve Evans had been on record as saying he expected the match to be the toughest of his side's summer programme. And he was not far wide of the mark, even though United arguably deserved to have edged victory. He said: "This was always going to be our big test. Kidderminster are just days away from starting life in the Third Division and were having their final pre-season outing. So they were always going to be eager to impress."

United took the lead on seven minutes when midfielder Jim DICK stroked the ball home following a cross from Richard Lucas after the latter had initially seen a shot blocked by keeper Stuart Brock. But there had been an earlier let-off for Boston when, after just 15 seconds, Andy Ducros latched on to a pass from Ian Foster. But keeper Paul Bastock responded with a superb save. Kidderminster's equaliser came in the 11th minute when another smooth breakaway led to Bastock tipping a Stewart Hadley drive onto a post, only for Ian FOSTER to tap in the rebound. Both sides had chances to take the lead in the opening minutes of the second half. For the Pilgrims, Nuttell contrived to nudge a six-yard shot against a post after Brock had parried an effort from Fewings. At the other end, Bastock brilliantly smothered a drive by Foster. Lucas came to Boston's rescue on 61 minutes to clear a Hadley shot off the line.

United team: 1. Bastock, 2. Hoyle (Stanhope 46), 3. Lucas, 4. Wooding, 5. Howarth, 6. Rennie, 7. Minett, 8. Dick (Livett 46), 9. Nuttell, 10. Fewings (Rawle 65), 11. Raynor (Cramman 69). Sub (not used): Martin.