Home Results News Table Squad Statistics

Pilgrims 3-1 Macclesfield Town

Coca Cola League

As has often been the case over the years, Macclesfield Town provided Boston United with an easy win at York Street. With Jason Lee out suspended, Noel Whelan away in rehab and Francis Green back in Lincoln, it was no surprise that Boston used a 4-4-2 formation with their only two remaining available strikers - Julian Joachim and Lawrie Dudfield - up front. New loan signing Asa Hall took a place on the subs' bench, but was called into the action to make his Football League debut after just five minutes when Chris Holland hobbled off with an injury. Macclesfield applied the early pressure. Jon Parkin forced a save out of Conrad Logan, then a few minutes later saw his shot from the edge of the area whistle just over the bar. Boston took the lead on the quarter hour. A long range drive by Stewart TALBOT deflected off the left leg of defender Dave Morley to loop over the dive of goalkeeper Alan Fettis. Macclesfield continued to create good chances. A shot by Clyde Wijnhard was blocked, then Danny Whitaker saw his effort hit the crossbar and the follow up shot by Kevin Sandwith went into the side netting. David Galbraith surged forward after winning the ball in a challenge on Whitaker, but Fettis was able to push his eventual shot round the post.

Boston extended their lead in the 32nd minute when a shot by Joachim was blocked by Morley but the ball fell to Lee CANOVILLE whose shot was stopped by Fettis before bouncing into the net off the keepers' arm. Just before half time Macclesfield won a free kick just outside the area following a foul by Paul Ellender, but Sandwith hit the kick well wide. The Silkmen reduced the deficit two minutes into the second half when PARKIN headed home Sandwith's corner. They almost levelled the scores a few minutes later but Logan somehow kept out Whitaker's close range shot. Dudfield had a good chance to restore Boston's two goal advantage after he broke clear, but his final shot went straight at the keeper. Logan made another great stop to deny Paul Harsley on 80 minutes, before ELLENDER settled the result by heading past Fettis from Galbraith's corner kick. Right at the death Morley almost got a consolation goal but his shot went wide. After the match Steve Evans said: "This was an outstanding win against a very good side. You can understand why they've gone ten games unbeaten."

United team: Conrad Logan, Lee Canoville, Paul Ellender, Alan White, Austin McCann, Simon Rusk, Stewart Talbot, Chris Holland (Asa Hall 5), David Galbraith (Danny Thomas 88), Lawrie Dudfield, Julian Joachim (Bradley Maylett 90). Subs not used: Mark Greaves, Ben Futcher.


Match report copyright © Ken Fox 2006.