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Scott and Ellender hold firm

Pilgrims 2-1 Leigh RMI

Nationwide Conference

After a blank last week following their early FA Cup exit, Boston United returned to action by welcoming back Ross Weatherstone and Paul Ellender from suspension. Mark Monington failed his fitness test so former Scarborough manager Neil Thompson retained his place in the side. Boston started the match in lively fashion. Daryl Clare thumped a long range effort goalwards, but it only found Mark Westhead in the Leigh goal. Neil Thompson then soon saw a free-kick go close. A surging run down the right wing by Clifford followed by a penetrating cross ended with a swerving shot from Simon Weatherstone that was only just too high. On the other wing, a cross come shot from Gould almost crept in as it hit the back post. Despite having most of the play Boston were unable to break the deadlock, so at half time the scoresheet remained blank. Boston's opening goal arrived on the hour from the penalty spot. A neat one-two on the edge of the area with David Town gave Daryl Clare a clear run at goal before he was knocked to the ground as he ran into the box. The penalty was awarded and CLARE picked himself up to notch his eleventh goal of the campaign.

Ten minutes from the end Boston increased their lead. Boston hit Leigh on the break when a long range pass out of defence by Simon Weatherstone let substitute Anthony Elding, who minutes earlier had come on for Clare, beat the offside trap. He ran down the right wing, looked up as he approached the goal and calmly threaded the ball through to David TOWN to tap home. Leigh however reduced the arrears a minute later. They scored one of the most bizarre goals to be seen at York Street in recent seasons. Leigh won a corner, from which Paul Bastock made two superb saves as shots rained in from the edge of the area. The first shot being parried, the second being well held. Bastock then punted the ball forwards but it caught the back of a retreating Leigh attacker and looped back over Bastock's head towards the open net, where Michael TWISS was on hand to ensure it crossed the line. Boston made no more blunders and held on to take all three points. So with Dagenham & Redbridge only managing a draw at Doncaster, the Pilgrims returned to the top of the Conference table.

United team: 1. Bastock, 2. Clifford, 3. Gould, 4. R Weatherstone, 5. Scott, 6. Thompson (Angel 54), 7. Rusk, 8. Town (Costello 88), 9. Clare (Elding 76), 10. S Weatherstone, 11. Ellender. Subs not used: Lodge, Conroy.


Match report and photo by Ken Fox.