Grimsby Town 1-3 Pilgrims

Pontins Holiday League

by Craig Singleton

Goals from Paul Ellender, Sam Morrow and Scott Brough ensured that Boston United Reserves claimed maximum spoils on Wednesday afternoon. The trio were on target as the Pilgrims’ second string recorded a 3-1 success at Grimsby Town in the Pontins Holiday League Division One East fixture. It capped an impressive performance from United, who fielded a strong line-up, with Steve Croudson and Ben Chapman making a return to their former club. Boston fielded Chris Hogg and Morrow, who both arrived from Ipswich Town in time to play. And the duo played key roles in the success, which was built on a solid team display, with the Pilgrims utilising a 3-4-1-2 formation. Manager Neil Thompson joined Hogg and Ellender in a back three, while Stuart Douglas, Simon Weatherstone, Simon Rusk and Chapman made up the midfield quartert. And Brough, playing in the hole, gave support to front-line duo Morrow and Peter Duffield.

The system paid dividends when Boston took the lead in the 12th minute, thanks to ELLENDER’s goal. He rose highest at the back post to head home Brough’s flighted corner from 10 yards. However, their joy was short-lived as Grimsby equalised on the half-hour thanks to a fine strike from Darren MANSARAM, following good work from Paul Huckett. But Boston responded well and retook the lead in the 35th minute when debutant MORROW nicked the ball off keeper Bradley Hughes, who failed to deal with a bouncing back-pass from Simon Ford, before rounding the stranded goalie and firing into an empty net. The second half was a fairly even contest, and Boston introduced substitutes Mark Angel and Mark Greaves into the fray at half-time, in the places of Hogg and Weatherstone. And the third goal duly arrived on 63 minutes when fine approach play in the final third resulted in BROUGH rifling home an 18-yarder, which gave Hughes no chance. Croudson was rarely troubled on his return to Blundell Park, making three routine saves from Ford, Paul Groves and Graham Hockless, as Boston held on for an excellent win.

United team: Croudson, Hogg (Greaves 46), Chapman, Ellender, N Thompson, Rusk, Douglas, Weatherstone (Angel 46), Duffield, Morrow (King 60), Brough.