Pilgrims 2-1 Kingstonian

Nationwide Conference

Boston United today got the three points that mathematically guarantees their place in next season's Conference. It was an easy win against a very poor, relegation threatened, Kingstonian side, who were a shadow of the team that overwhelmed the Pilgrims in last season's FA Cup. The game started very quietly and it wasn't until well into the first half that Boston had their first goal attempt. Jamie Cook nearly forced the ball over the line following a goalmouth scramble, then Costello had a couple of long-range efforts that were too high. On the half-hour, Richard Lucas had a rare shot at goal, but it was just wide of the upright. Cook then had a good break down the left wing and he sent in a cross to an unmarked Andrew Stanhope, who totally messed up his attempted header on goal. Eight minutes before half-time, Boston took the lead. Cook was fouled on the edge of the area and from the resulting free kick, the ball was eventually headed home by David TOWN. Ten minutes into the second half, Kingstonian got an unexpected equaliser.

Richard Lucas was adjudged to have bundled over Kingstonian forward Gavin Holligan as he ran into the area, and Colin LUCKETT fired the resulting penalty into the right hand corner of the net. Kingstonian's joy was short-lived as three minutes later Andrew STANHOPE restored the Boston lead with a spectacular volley from just inside the Kingstonian penalty area. Cook tried to repeat the feat a few minutes later following a cross by Charlery, but his volley was high and wide. Kingstonian substitute Phil Wingfield missed an easy chance to score when Paul Bastock failed to grasp a cross and dropped the ball at his feet in front of a gaping net, but Wingfield could only find the side netting with his lame effort. Boston brought on Rusk, Lodge and Elding for Weatherstone, Cook and Town respectively, but none of these substitutions had much effect and the game ticked over to it's eventual conclusion.

United team: 1. Bastock, 2. Stanhope, 3. Lucas, 4. Gowshall, 5. Howarth, 6. Costello, 7. S Weatherstone (Rusk 75), 8. Charlery, 9. Town (Elding 87), 10. Cook (Lodge 80), 11. Dick. Subs not used: Nuttell, Conroy.