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Pilgrims 0-3 Kidderminster Harriers

LDV Vans Trophy

Boston United produced a shameful display as they were humiliated with a 3-0 thrashing at York Street by struggling Conference side Kidderminster Harriers in the second round of the LDV Vans Trophy. After promising to field his full first team squad for the match, manager Steve Evans rested top goalscorer Julian Joachim and battling midfielder Mark Greaves as well as dropping first team regulars Brad Maylett, Simon Rusk, Alan White and Jason Lee down to the subs' bench. One piece of good news was the early return of Noel Whelan after five weeks out injured. On a cold wintery night it was the Kidderminster fans who were able to warm themselves up the most by clapping and cheering their team's performance. The Harriers took the lead in the 26th minute when Iyesden CHRISTIE took advantage of a mistake by Nathan Abbey, who was caught off guard by a shot from Michael Blackwood and could only parry the effort into the path of the Kidderminster striker who slotted home from close range. Two minutes later Kidderminster stunned the poor Boston crowd of just 1131 by increasing their lead. CHRISTIE got his second goal when he got on the end of a long ball downfield and outpaced Ben Futcher before firing low past Abbey.

Five minutes before half time Kidderminster virtually sealed the win with their third goal. A shot by BLACKWOOD clipped a Boston defender before looping over Abbey into the net. At the interval Steve Evans used all his substitutes in a desperate effort to change his side's fortunes. Jason Lee, Bradley Maylett and Simon Rusk coming on for Noel Whelan, Danny Thomas and Chris Holland respectively. But despite dominating the play, Boston couldn't even produce a consolation goal. The nearest they came to scoring was a disallowed headed goal by Lee after the referee spotted an infringement by Futcher. Goalkeeper Daniel Lewis made a series of fine saves to keep Boston out. Former Pilgrim Lee Thompson received a warm reception from the Boston fans as he made a late appearance as subsitute for the Harriers. After the match Steve Evans said: "I made changes, but I still fielded a side strong enough to deal with the threat of Kidderminster Harriers. But there was no application in the first forty-five minutes. The players let me down. I'm sure it's a one-off - but they owe big time."

United team: Nathan Abbey, Lee Canoville, Ben Futcher, Paul Ellender, Austin McCann, Chris Holland (Simon Rusk 46), Ian Ross, Stewart Talbot, Danny Thomas (Bradley Maylett 46), Noel Whelan (Jason Lee 46), Lawrie Dudfield. Subs not used: Alan White, Chris Wright.


Match report copyright © Ken Fox 2005.