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Pilgrims 1-1 Wycombe Wanderers

Coca Cola League

Despite only winning once in the last five matches, Steve Evans stuck with his policy of picking kids at the expense of experienced players such as Alan White, Brad Maylett and Paul Ellender. As Alan Hansen famously said: "You'll never win anything with kids" and after failing to win again Hansen might be proved right this time. The Pilgrims have now slipped further away from a coveted playoff position - the gap stretching to eight points. Goalkeeper Michel Kuipers returned to the side on another loan spell from Brighton & Hove Albion after Conrad Logan was recalled by Leicester City. James Keene had also moved on to Sweden, allowing Lawrie Dudfield a start up front with Julian Joachim. The sides cancelled each other out in the opening stages. Boston were playing long balls down the middle that were easily dealt with by Wycombe's centre backs and Wycombe were frustrated by their attempts to play a passing game on the attrocious surface at York Street. Boston had the first chance of the game when Stewart Talbot saw his long range effort deflected behind for a corner. Mark Greaves got on the end of the subsequent kick, but header the ball wide of the target. From then on Wycombe dominated. Kuipers made a fine save to deny Ian Stonebrige as he turned and shot at goal. Then Tommy Mooney blasted the ball onto the cross bar.

Just before half-time Kuipers let a shot by Sergio Torres squeeze under his dive, but a late recovery let him intercept the ball before it could trickle over the line. Brad Maylett came on for Peter Till at half time. Stewart Talbot soon set up Julian Joachim with a great through ball, but the Boston striker was denied by a good interception by Mike Williamson. Boston took the lead against the run of play when JOACHIM scored his 13th goal of the campaign by getting on the end of a cross from the left by Lawrie Dudfield. Former Pilgrim Jermaine Easter soon joined the fray and only a last ditch tackle by Mark Greaves prevented him from breaking clear down the left wing. Wycombe levelled the scores in the 71st minute when Kevin BETSY ran through the Boston defence before firing home from 12 yards out. Right at the end Boston almost snatched an undeserved winner when Joachim set up Dudfield, but Wycombe keeper Frank Talia made a good save. After the match Wycombe manager John Gorman said: "Their manager came up to me and said it was a joke that they were 1-0 up because we were battering them. That's how honest he was. We did not batter them by non-stop pressure but instead by good football. We controlled the game."

United team: Michel Kuipers, Lee Canoville, Gary Silk, Austin McCann, Chris Holland (Danny Thomas 78), Mark Greaves, Jamie Clarke, Stewart Talbot (Asa Hall 65), Peter Till (Bradley Maylett 46), Julian Joachim, Lawrie Dudfield. Subs not used: Simon Rusk, Alan White.


Match report copyright © Ken Fox 2006.