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Nuttell catches the Burton defence sleeping

Pilgrims 0-4 Burton Albion

Victoria Cup

Boston United's unbeaten pre-season run came to an end today as they were emphatically beaten 4-0 by Burton Albion at their York Street ground. This was the "Pilgrims" second chance of some silverware in as many weeks, the match being played for the Victoria Cup, a trophy awarded to the winner of a game between the Dr. Martens League Champions and the Dr. Martens League Cup winners. Boston dominated the early play. A shot from Rennie hit the bar and Stanhope headed the rebound just over. Boston won a succession of corners, one of which resulted in a goalmouth scramble but no one was able to force the ball home before it was cleared off the line by a Burton defender. Another well struck shot from Livett went just wide of the upright. Just before half-time, totally against the run of play, Burton were awarded a penalty. They had won a rare corner and as the ball bobbled around the area Dale Anderson went down after being tugged on the arm and the referee pointed to the spot. Aaron WEBSTER stepped up to fire the ball home.

Soon after the start of the second half Burton increased their lead. As Boston pressed forward, a mistake by Livett let Dale ANDERSON break. After shrugging off a challenge by Livett he curled a perfectly placed shot past Bastock into the bottom left hand corner of the net. A few minutes later, a cross from Livett was headed on to Fewings, who clattered to the ground in the area, but the referee was unmoved. A powerful shot by Raynor following a corner was somehow deflected behind. Burton's third goal followed a neat piece of work by Lyons, who got past Stanhope on the wing and laid the ball back to Anton THOMAS to plant the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the net. The "Brewers" final goal came as Boston pressed forward again. Lyons threaded a pass through to a suspiciously offside Burton forward who knocked the ball into the path of David HOLMES to side foot home. Peter Costello, who had only been on the pitch for a few minutes, was booked for a reckless challenge near the end to complete a thoroughly miserable day for Boston.

United team: 1. Bastock, 2. Wooding, 3. Lucas, 4. Livett, 5. Howarth, 6. Rennie, 7. Stanhope, 8. Minett (Rawle 65), 9. Nuttell, 10. Fewings (Costello 74), 11. Raynor. Sub not used: Gowshall.


Photo and match report by Ken Fox.