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Stanhope dances through the Tamworth defence

Tamworth 1-2 Pilgrims

Dr Martens League

The poor little Lambs have lost their way. After starting the season in promising fashion with a win and a draw they were convincingly beaten by the rampant Pilgrims. Boston's first chance of taking the lead came on eight minutes. Mark Rawle outpaced the Tamworth defence but his shot lacked pace and was easily collected by Harvey Willetts in the Tamworth goal. RAWLE soon made amends when two minutes later he latched on to a cross from David Norris to slot home. Tamworth then began to apply pressure in their search for an equaliser. Paul Bastock had to make a full length dive to deflect a Mark Hallam shot for a corner. Then Mark Wolsey blasted a long range effort just over the bar. Warren Haughton managed to turn his marker after receiving the ball inside the area but he shot straight at Bastock. Colin Hoyle was lucky to stay on the pitch after being booked for a late tackle only to repeat the offence a few minutes later, but this time all he got was a stern warning rather than a second yellow card. Just before the end of the half RAWLE steadied Boston's nerves by scoring his second goal. He turned on the magic to get past the Tamworth defence and then placed his shot wide of the keeper's reach. The half time talk clearly had the desired effect on Tamworth. Former Pilgrim Mark Hallam soon forced a good save from Bastock.

Then in the fifty first minute Tamworth scored. They broke down the left wing and when the cross came in it glanced off the head of HALLAM and was diverted between the keeper and the far post. Bastock had to be on top form to deny Tamworth an equaliser when he got a hand to a great shot from David Foy. Five minutes later David Rennie nearly finished the game off with a long range screamer but Willetts just managed to tip it over the bar. Andrew Stanhope was causing all sorts of problems down the right wing, working well with Peter Costello. Rawle almost got his hat-trick close to the end but his shot was saved. Tamworth kept pressurising but failed to get the goal they desperately wanted. Their best chance came when an overlapping move down the left wing put defender Robert Mutchell clear but once again Bastock made a good save. So the Pilgrims have started the season with three straight wins. The last time that happened was back in 88/9 under George Kerr, when they eventually finished in third place in the Conference. It will be interesting to see whether this great start will bring in a good crowd for the Pilgrims' next home game against Rothwell on Wednesday night.

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 Porter, 9. Mickey Nuttell, 10. Mark Rawle, 11. David Norris, 12. Paul Watts, 14. Andy Taylor, 15. Jason Burnham.