Home Results Table Statistics

Pilgrims 0-1 Hartlepool United

Pontins Holiday League

by Craig Singleton

A goal from Mark Robinson denied Boston United Reserves a share of the spoils in the first home match of the season. The Hartlepool midfielder struck in the 81st minute of last Wednesday's match to condemn Boston to a defeat that was a little harsh on the Pilgrims, who had battled well throughout the game. Chances were few and far between in the first half of this Pontins League Division One East clash. But the second half offered plenty of goalmouth chances, with Boston arguably doing enough to earn a point. Hartlepool striker Jermaine Easter was a constant threat, and it was he who supplied Robinson’s goal with a defence-splitting pass.

The scorer latched onto the ball to finish neatly at the back post, giving Steve Croudson no chance. Easter had earlier gone close twice, being denied by Croudson in the 50th minute, before drilling wide across the face of goal 60 seconds later. Lee Thompson blazed wide on 56 minutes after Stuart Douglas had done well to hold up a throughball from Mark Greaves. Boston came close to taking the lead in the 71st minute when Mark Angel had a header parried by Kevin Duncan before seeing his rebound beaten away the keeper. Then, Andy White's follow-up was clawed out by Duncan. Former Boston trialist Adam Van Dommelle came on as a substitute for Hartlepool and was booked in the final minute for a lunge on Andrew Leeson.

United team: Croudson, Leeson, Clarke, Greaves (Freeman 65), Balmer, Beevers, White, Baum (Rusk 69), Douglas (Mahoney 69), L Thompson, Angel.