Match Report

A match which saw four goals in the first 45 minutes, ended up in a 3-1 win for the home side as FC United were comfortably beaten by a confident Boston United side who could have scored more on another day.

Boston started the match the stronger with FC forced to clear the ball off the line twice during the opening five minutes as the Pilgrims took the game to the visitors from the opening whistle. On eight minutes a mix-up between Dave Carnell and Liam Brownhill nearly led to the opening goal but the ball went just wide of the FC keeper’s right hand post.

That was merely a temporary reprieve and it was no surprise when the home side took the lead two minutes later after Carnell brought down the on-rushing Mark Jones and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Up stepped Dayle Southwell who made no mistake from 12 yards. Three minutes later Boston extended their lead when FC failed to close down after a corner and Jordan Richards steered the ball home from 23 yards into the top left hand corner of the goal giving Carnell no chance.

FC were finding it hard to get into the game as Boston were winning every challenge and getting in behind the visitors far too often. As the half ended FC started to get more possession but failed to do anything meaningful with it. Tom Greaves did have the ball in the net shortly before half time but the referee blew up for a foul on Callum Byrne and failed to play the advantage. That misfortune seemed to galvanise the Reds who managed to pull a goal back on 45 minutes. Excellent approach work from Tom Greaves found Matthew Wolfenden in the box and his smart finish was too good for the Boston keeper.

At 2-1 Margy and his staff must have been looking forward to regrouping for the second half having taken a foothold in the game, but seconds before the half time whistle and barely a minute after FC scored, Boston made it 3-1. Carl Piergianni, who was excellent all afternoon for the Pilgrims, rose higher in the box than anyone else to give Carnell no chance and send his team into half time with a two-goal lead.

That concluded the scoring for the afternoon and the second half was a largely forgettable affair with few chances, though Boston could and probably should have had at least one further goal but were foiled by the excellent goalkeeping of Dave Carnell for FC.

A brief highlight of the half for FC was Rory Patterson’s return in a red shirt after 66 minutes, but he had little opportunity to make an impression on the game as Boston saw the game out comfortably, underlining their overall superiority on the day.

Margy will be thankful that his side only have to wait a couple of days before they have the chance to put things right against AFC Telford on Tuesday evening at Broadhurst Park. He’ll know though that United will have to perform much better than they did against Boston if they are to get back to winning ways in the National League North.

Website Man of the Match: Matthew Wolfenden stood out for FC with a well-taken goal and tireless running.


Report by Andy Walker