Pilgrims suffer home humiliation

Steve Melton

Report by Craig Singleton at The Staffsmart Stadium

PICS: Tim Hoff

Boston United suffered their eighth home reversal of the season when they crashed to a 5-0 defeat against Nantwich Town on Saturday afternoon.

Ashley Carter opened the scoring after 65 minutes and Michael Lennon’s late hat-trick wrapped up all three points for the visitors. Dave Walker rubbed salt into the United wounds in stoppage time with a fifth goal for Nantwich.

After an even first half, the match swung decisively in Nantwich’s favour after Carter’s opening goal and the Pilgrims never threatened a serious reply.

With manager Steve Welsh absent through illness, interim manager Stewart Talbot had to do without the services of injured quintet Jon Rowan, Michael Wood, Kieran Leabon, Danny Matson and Alex Beck, while Liam Green was missing due to illness.

Boston mustered an immediate threat when Ollie Ryan and David Farrell combined down the left and Adam Millson was only denied by a last-ditch tackle from Richard Smith.

Nantwich went close when Ashley Westwood blasted goalwards from 20 yards and his effort deflected wide off Millson.

Moments later, Martyn Margarson had to been on his guard to grab Phil Parkinson’s rasping drive from a similar distance.

The visitors went close again when Dave Whittaker headed just over following Westwood’s flighted corner.

Good play between Ryan and Farrell allowed Steve Melton to cut infield and his goalbound 25-yard deflected just wide off Westwood. Farrell’s deep cross from the right then almost played Ryan in at the back post, but Damion Jarrett produced a fantastic headed clearance at the final moment.

Lee Jones made a crucial save at the back post to deny Ryan, after United’s leading goalscorer had wriggled clear to meet Farrell’s inviting left-wing centre.

Wes Parker

Margarson was left motionless as Robin Gibson drilled goalwards from 20 yards at the start of the second half — but his drive skimmed inches wide of the far post.

Margarson then dashed to the edge of his area to block an effort from Whittaker, after the Nantwich striker had been played in by a reverse pass from Westwood.

The Pilgrims were let off the hook when Gibson ghosted in to smash the ball goalwards, although his effort flew just over from 20 yards.

Nantwich’s bright start to the half continued and Margarson made a good near post save to tip Lennon’s drive over for a corner. The resultant flag-kick from Westwood was nodded just over by Whittaker.

The visitors took the lead in the 65th minute after breaking at speed following a Boston free-kick 20 yards from the Nantwich goal. Lennon was denied by Margarson’s sprawling save, but Carter had the simple task of firing the ball into an empty net from six yards.

Talbot made his first change three minutes later, bringing on Lee Beeson and reverting to a 4-4-2 formation.

Nantwich substitute Francis made a telling block on the line to deny Jon Froggatt’s angled drive, after Farrell’s buccaneering run had carved open the visiting defence.

The visitors doubled their lead with nine minutes remaining when Lennon produced a fabulous finish from 12 yards.

Margarson stood tall to deny Nantwich a third when he parried Lennon’s drive, following more good play from the visitors.

However, the respite was only temporary and Lennon added his second and Nantwich’s third with an angled shot in the 87th minute, which was beyond the reach of Margarson.

Lennon completed his hat-trick in stoppage time and sub Walker added the fifth goal after springing the United offside trap.

Jon Froggatt

Boston (3-5-2): Martyn Margarson; Matt Bloomer, Ryan Clarke, Liam Parker; Tom Matthews (Lee Beeson 68), Adam Millson, Wes Parker, Steve Melton, David Farrell; Jon Froggatt, Ollie Ryan. Subs (not used): Stewart Talbot, Micky Nuttell, Simon Ashton, Mitchell Griffiths.

Nantwich (4-4-2): Lee Jones; Damion Jarrett, Darren Tinson, Richard Smith, Gyorgy Kiss (Liam Francis 62); Ashley Carter (Dave Walker 82), Phil Parkinson, Ashley Westwood, Robin Gibson (Omar Mahmood 88); David Whittaker, Michael Lennon. Subs (not used): Rodney Jack, Danny Roberts.