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Lee Beevers locks ankles with Peter Beagrie

Pilgrims 2-1 Scunthorpe United

Coca Cola League

Boston began this match committed to attack. With Danny Thomas on one wing and Courtney Pitt on the other and big Jason Lee with Andy Kirk in the middle they presented a formidable front line. For the first twenty minutes neither side had any decisive attacks, just a few half-hearted shots that were easily dealt with by the keepers. Boston almost took the lead on 21 minutes. A quickly taken free-kick sent Danny Thomas scampering free down the left wing. He fired in a great cross towards Jason Lee, whose bullet of a header was cleared off the line by Ian Baraclough. The game really came to life in the last five minutes of the half. First David Noble blasted over from outside the box. Then Lee headed wide after a cross from the right wing by Dean West was knocked back into his path by Danny Thomas. Action now switched to the other end. Baraclough unleashed a scorcher that was only just too high. Then on 42 minutes Scunthorpe went in front. Cleveland Taylor put in an uncharacteristic burst of pace that let him get past Austin McCann. He then picked out Paul HAYES who fired home from close range. There was still time for good efforts at both ends before the half ended. First Hayes produced a shot that went just wide of the right post. Then Andy Kirk headed a David Noble free kick onto the crossbar.

The first goalscoring opportunity of the second half fell to Scunthorpe. Baraclough turned and shot at goal forcing Abbey to make a good save. With half an hour left Boston brought on Matt O'Halloran for Danny Thomas. Baraclough tested Abbey again, this time his long range shot being tipped over. On 68 minutes Boston equalised. With the Scunthorpe defence waiting for the offside flag that never came a chip forward found Courtney PITT who calmly lobbed the ball over the approaching keeper, taking an age before it bounced into the net just ahead of the incoming defender. Andy Kirk soon had a golden opportunity to put Boston ahead when he found himself in the clear with only the keeper to beat. But he stumbled at the crucial moment allowing the ball to be won back. He was soon replaced by Lee Thompson. Then with the clock ticking down the last few seconds of the match O'HALLORAN broke down the right and at the urging of the crowd fired in a shot that curled over the keeper into the top right corner. Steve Evans danced down the wing punching the air with delight in the knowledge that his team had secured an important home win at the expense of their Lincolnshire rivals.

United team: Nathan Abbey, Lee Beevers, Austin McCann, Dean West, Paul Ellender, Tom Bennett, David Noble, Danny Thomas (Matt O'Halloran 60), Andy Kirk (Lee Thompson 75), Jason Lee, Courtney Pitt. Subs not used: Paul Gascoigne, Simon Rusk, Greg Strong.


Match report and photo copyright © Ken Fox, 2004.