Home Results News Table Squad Statistics

Dagenham and Redbridge 2-1 Pilgrims

Nationwide Conference

by Barbara Singleton

Despite battling long and hard away to Dagenham and Redbridge, the Pilgrims ultimately ended up with no rewards. And today they remain the Conference's only side without a win and just goal difference separates them from the bottom rung of the ladder. Three points and four goals from six matches tells its own story. And against Dagenham, it was again the lack of a cutting edge up front which arguably proved their undoing. Apart from the two goals by which Dagenham led at the interval, there was little to choose between the sides in the opening 45 minutes - with each having a clutch of goalscoring opportunities. Early on a Lee Matthews header was easily taken by Paul Bastock, who then held a drive from Matt Jones. In the 22nd minute a Peter Costello shot missed the home goal by inches after Miquel De Souza had flicked on a Bastock clearance.

And on the stroke of half-time a Colin Hoyle stooping header was superbly saved by Honey following a Paul Raynor cross. But by that time, United were 2-0 in arrears. The first goal came on 32 minutes when Paul COBB raced onto a Junior McDougald pass and fired past Bastock. Then in the 40th minute, Paul TERRY netted with a near post header to round off good work down the right by Mark Janney. After the break, Boston were forced to chase the game and their best moments came in the later stages, De Souza and Micky Nuttell seeing headers well held by Honey. In reply, Dagenham looked potent on occasions but Boston halved the deficit on 78 minutes when Peter COSTELLO fired home from the spot after Ashley Vickers had handled. Although United pressed for an equaliser - with Bastock venturing forward for a late set-piece - their efforts came to nought.

United team: 1. Bastock, 2. Gowshall, 3. Lucas, 4. Hoyle, 5. Howarth, 6. Lodge (Rawle 65), 7. Stanhope, 8. De Souza (Fewings 65), 9. Nuttell, 10. Costello, 11. Raynor (Minett 85). Subs (not used): Rennie, Martin (gk).