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 Table
2003 - 2004 |
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Season 1999 |
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Season 1999 |
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1999 - 2000 |
Closed
Season 2000 |
| Season
2000 - 2001 |
Closed
Season 2001 |
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2001 - 2002 |
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Boston United 2-2 Huddersfield Town
Town stumble on effective formation in thriller by Martin Sykes
Its a long way, Boston. Not in miles, but in seemingly interminable single track roads behind selected morons whose pace of life has reached a full stop.
It wouldn't have been so bad but for the featureless landscape and the worst organised roadworks in the entire country - not that anyone was actually swinging a pick or leaning on a shovel. It isn't that the people of deepest Lincolnshire should not be allowed to lead their sedate, probably very tranquil, lives - but there should be some form of logistical entry criteria to the League as well as the normal ground safety stuff.
Or maybe I should just lift the nicotine ban in my car!
Boston, for all the hassle, seemed worth it - a pleasant market town made all the more appealing by beautiful weather and a massive bar at the ground (only time for a swift one, but welcome none the less).
Apart from the all too regular bonehead element, there was a good natured atmosphere among a large travelling support, which included a booted and suited David Taylor cutting a vaguely sad figure as he filed in to Boston's small but adequate ground, though the image was dispelled as people came up to chat with their ex-Chairman.
A gang of fans dressed as policewomen added to the carnival atmosphere as the travelling support swelled the small club's attendance and provided an enormous amount of noise.
Away days at clubs where the home support is swamped can be a double edged sword. As much fun as it is to be amongst so many like minded people - the big fish, small pool sketch - it imbues a false sense of superiority and one to which we have no right.
Boston's mixture of experience - exemplified by that old nemesis, Neil Redfearn, later afforded the tribute of being singled out for abuse - and physical presence soon put paid to the idea that this was going to be anything but a tricky afternoon for the Terriers.
A relatively quiet start to a game that would become hugely entertaining was enlivened when the in form Stead capitalised on a mix up between the home side's keeper and a defender but could only strike a post when some distance out (and wide) from an unguarded net.
Despite the close call, however, it was the home side who had looked the more threatening if somewhat uncomposed when nearing the penalty area. Of particular concern was Eddy Grant look a like, Douglas who, if his touch matched his pace and intelligent running, would be playing at a decent level. Still, as the match went on, his threat grew and he clearly likes living on the front line (sorry).
Any confidence taken from Town's excellent midweek showing against Derby (who, frankly, didn't possess anything like Boston's spirit and organisation) began to evaporate at the back, despite the good performance of Sodje, and they weren't helped by players taking the long ball option far too often and Carrs and Fowler seemingly unable to get any sort of grip in the middle.
Boston's pressing and high energy game was not being matched by certain players - Schofield's worryingly poor form continued - and, just as Jackson was about to replace the injured Edwards, Town were breached by a neat trick on the right before Redfearn swept home the opener with some aplomb.
Booty came on as left back but Town continued to wobble as their confident hosts piled on the pressure. Half chances were missed in a very uncomfortable spell for the bank of visiting supporters behind the goal being attacked, before a glorious opportunity at the far post was spurned.
Fortunate to be only one behind at the break, it was clear that the manager's famed motivation skills were going to be needed to stem Boston's ascendancy. Most also felt that a change of personnel was also necessary, though this was not to come immediately.
Despite an apparent increased tempo - Fowler, in particular, began to grow in influence - the tendency to hoof was still prevalent and largely ineffective.
Booth changed all that when he replaced Schofield (the largely anonymous Newby moved out left) and the whole complexion of the game changed as the front man's aerial threat knocked some of the confidence from the home side.
Almost immediately, Town equalised. Carrs, an increasing influence, played a lovely ball behind the defence for Stead to tuck away with a confidence so lacking last year, and there began a period of utter dominance as Town began to play like the senior club, at last.
Within minutes, Town turned the game on its head when the newly effective Newby won and delivered a corner met by Booth whose header, going wide, was diverted in by Hughes at the near post.
Town's ascendancy appeared to point to victory at that point as both Newby and Thorrington were being found on a regular basis by the buzzing Fowler and composed Carrs - only hesitancy in the face of an increasingly frantic Boston defence prevented nicely constructed attacks leading to an unassailable lead.
Shots straight at the keeper, a Booth header and shot sailing just over and the menace of Stead seemed certain to grab the 3 points, but when Boston could shake off the pressure, the ever willing Douglas - by now man marked by Sodje - always looked capable of causing trouble.
It was Douglas determination to keep a ball in play - which a Town player gave up as dead - that lead to the equaliser. A cross came over that was headed rather weakly to the edge of the box by Yates in to the path of Ellender who hit as sweet a volley as you are likely to see in any division to give Gray no chance.
After that, the contest evened up again - Boston's best efforts being some excellent shooting from distance (Redfearn in particular) and Town continuing to benefit from some good wing play by Newby leading to dangerous crosses (Booth had one golden opportunity taken off his head by Carrs, though the former should have called for it).
A thoroughly entertaining game ended in a just draw and both sides could take positives from their displays - Boston will be hard to beat at home and their front runners will cause plenty of problems, while Town could take heart from a very good second half once they slipped in to a higher gear.
As with the Cambridge game, however, it is clear that Town are going to have to earn every point this season - they are capable of good things, and certainly look like a team that will score goals, but the shape goes too easily at the moment and the defence needs some work.
Early days, still encouraged.
Gray - settling in quite well but needs to be a bit more commanding
Hughes - poor distribution but not bad defensively
Sodje - Athletically held things together when we were under the cosh
Yates - more assured in the second half after a torrid opening 45
Edwards - never comfortable, then injured
Schofield - disappointing and replaced
Carrs - excellent second half
Fowler - orchestrated most of Town's forward play
Stead - a handful and scored again
Newby - lost up front but very effective wide left
Thorrington - OK, could do with taking a few more risks
Booty (for Edwards) - limited but largely effective
Booth (for Schofield) - turned the game
Man Of The Match - Fowler
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