Pilgrims 1-1 Northampton Town

Nationwide League

by Barbara Singleton

Honours ended all square as Boston United and Northampton battled out an entertaining draw at York Street. And on the balance of play it was perhaps a fair result - and one which consolidated rather than improved both sides’ positions in the mid-table area. The match began in somewhat cautious fashion with neither side really finding enough impetus in the opening 10 minutes to carve out a clear cut opening. But after that barren phase, things started to liven up. First, a bouncing drive for the visitors by Martin Smith proved awkward for Paul Bastock to handled. But at the second attempt, and after seeing the ball initially rebound off his chest, the United custodian dashed out to claim possession. United replied with some neat passing work of their own. However they only had wayward finishes by Simon Weatherstone and Neil Redfearn to show for their efforts. In reply, the Cobblers raised their own game tempo with some well constructed attacks. On 29 minutes they were out of luck when Marc Richards latched on to a forward pass by Des Lyttle but saw a rising drive bounce away of the top of Bastock’s left upright. Remarkably less than 60 seconds later, the feat was repeated on the other side when Smith fed Chris Hargreaves and his firm drive smacked away off the opposite upright. But the visitors made it third time lucky when, in their next assault on 33 minutes, Smith crossed well from the left and an unmarked Greg LINCOLN side-footed in from eight yards.

However, Boston were not down for long. And in the 38th minute a Redfearn free-kick from the right was curled to the far post where an Adam Boyd knock-down eventually fell for Lee THOMPSON and he fired home from 16 yards to draw Boston level. Both sides looked purposeful at the start of the second half with the visitors initially pressing well to no avail with off-target finishes by Chris Hargreaves and Richard Walker. Then Boston hit back and were unlucky to see Boyd burst clear onto a Chris Hogg pass before seeing Town keeper Lee Harper make a stunning save in a one-on-one confrontation. Northampton countered with another sweeping attack on the hour. This time Smith set Richards free. He cut inside from the right, but Bastock produced a fine save from the striker’s low, angled drive. Moments later Walker again threatened but fired wildly off-target and then Bastock had to be at his brilliant best to pushed away a Hargreaves header from a Richards cross. Boston answered with further attacking impetus, although a clinical cutting edge was lacking. Hogg set up Weatherstone, substitute Simon Rusk created a good shooting chance for himself and in the dying stages Redfearn again drilled goalwards from distance. But each time the United were unable to test Harper with the ball flashing high or wide. Close to the final whistle the visitors almost stole the show when the impressive Smith crossed for Richards to head at goal. But again Bastock saved well to ensure the spoils were shared.

United team (4-4-2): Bastock; Hogg, Greaves, Hocking, Beevers; Redfearn, L Thompson (Duffield 75), Weatherstone, Angel (Rusk 66); Boyd, Jones (Morrow 85). Subs (not used): Chapman, Croudson (gk).