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Grantham Town 0-1 Pilgrims

Lincs Senior Cup

by Simon Clark

Grantham Town lost their unbeaten home record last night but at least it was in a game which had only marginally more importance than a pre-season friendly. Despite his pre-match comments Boston manager Steve Evans fielded 10 of the 16 players who took part in Saturday's game at Hereford but Grantham performed well enough to deserve a draw - and force the game into extra time. After a slow start, Grantham created chances for Rick Ranshaw and Andy Furnell but both spurned the opportunities. After 35 minutes Andy Furnell's left wing cross seemed almost certain to create the opening goal but Ranshaw failed to get the all important touch. Five minutes later a superb turn by Ranshaw created another chance but the angle was too tight and his shot hit the side netting.

A superb move then saw Grantham cut open Boston's defence as Hawley, Marshall and McDaid combined but the cross was just infront of a sliding Ranshaw. Just 36 seconds into the second half, an Andy Furnell 30 yard drive beat the keeper but came back off the underside of the bar then after Ranshaw set up Bull his volley was just inches wide. Ziccardi was forced to make a save just before the hour when Jason Minett beat the defender but Grantham kept on top and 18 minutes from time John Hawley saw a 25 yarder heading for the top corner but Kevin Martin made a superb save. The all important goal came 10 minutes from time. Andrew Stanhope got behind the Grantham defence and his cross was headed past Ziccardi by a diving Mark RAWLE to set Boston up with a final against either Stamford or Grimsby Town.

United team: 1. Martin, 2. Wooding, 3. Lodge, 4. Hoyle, 5. Howarth, 6. Mills, (Costello 46), 7. Stanhope, 8.Minett, (Markham 88), 9. Nuttell, 10. Rawle, 11. Turner, (Fewings 77). Subs not used: Lucas, Bastock.


This report originally appeared in the Lincolnshire Echo.