Pilgrims 1-3 Mansfield Town

Avon Insurance League

by Craig Singleton

A late penalty from Mark Angel was not enough to stop Boston United Reserves tumbling to a 3-1 defeat against their Mansfield Town counterparts. Despite the defeat, the Avon Insurance League Division One East fixture was a useful exercise for the Pilgrims as it gave valuable match practice to several first-teamers returning from injury as well as giving acting boss Neil Thompson a chance to look at three trialists. Adam Van Dommel, Lee Thompson and Tom Kilday all appeared during the evening and all three turned in competent performances. Boston went 1-0 down after 15 minutes when Mark CARTER fired home at the back post after a cross from Wayne Corden.

Mansfield doubled their lead on 44 minutes when Luke CORNWELL fired high past Nick Conroy after Ross Weatherstone had gifted him possession on the edge of the area. Between the two goals, Conroy made three fabulous saves to deny efforts from Neil Lazarus, Peter Clark and Corden. After the break, Angel and Thompson both fired wide and Kilday saw a shot saved by Jason White. Mansfield went further ahead on 77 minutes when Conroy fumbled CORDEN's shot into the net from Carter's free-kick. Boston pulled a goal back on 85 minutes when ANGEL fired home from the spot after being felled by Danny Holyoak.

United team: 1. Conroy, 2. Clifford (Hart 65), 3. Lodge, 4. R Weatherstone, 5. Hocking, 6. Van Dommel, 7. Bennett, 8. L Thompson, 9. Clare (Kilday 46), 10. Burton, 11. Angel. Sub (not used): Hardie.