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Lee leaps at Leigh

Leigh RMI 2-2 Pilgrims

Nationwide Conference

With players recovering from injuries and a new signing to use, Steve Evans rang the changes in an attempt to improve the Pilgrims' form after a poor start to the season. Veteran defender Paul Wilson, on a month's loan from Barnet, started in the heart of the defence. Tim Wooding, after being out of favour for four matches came back into the side at the expense of Andrew Stanhope. Scots David Rennie and Jim Dick both returned after being out injured, Dick replacing Paul Raynor, who was relegated to the subs bench for the first time this season. Leigh opened the scoring on sixteen minutes when Rick HARRIS headed home at the far post following a free kick. The Pilgrims' misery increased when the influential Lee Howarth went off injured on 28 minutes, to be replaced by Colin Hoyle. Two minutes later Miquel De Souza missed an easy chance to equalise after Peter Costello had beaten the offside trap and found him with a perfect cross. But he took too long to control the ball giving the Leigh keeper time to save. Leigh's relief was short lived as a minute later Paul FEWINGS slotted in a simple goal.

The second half started well for Boston. Andrew Lodge had replaced David Rennie at half time, but it was Jim Dick who set up a Boston goal. He threaded a pass through to Paul Fewings whose shot was parried to Peter COSTELLO who thumped the ball home. So for the first time this season the Pilgrims were in front in a Conference match. The lead lasted for half an hour, when substitute and former Pilgrim Andy MASON popped up at the far post to head in a corner. Mark Rawle replaced de Souza for the last ten minutes but it wasn't enough time to make a difference. Overall it was an exciting game with good chances at both ends. Paul Bastock made a string of excellent saves to keep Boston in the game after the fast raiding Leigh attack broke through on a number of occasions. It was certainly a much better match than last season's drab FA Trophy encounter and gives some hope for a brighter future for both sides in the Conference.

United team: 1. Bastock, 2. Gowshall, 3. Lucas, 4. Wilson, 5. Howarth (Hoyle 28), 6. Rennie (Lodge 46), 7. Wooding, 8. De Souza (Rawle 80), 9. Costello, 10. Fewings, 11. Dick. Subs (not used): Raynor, Martin (gk).


Photo and match report by Ken Fox.