Pilgrims secure cup progress

The FA Youth Cup

Report by Craig Singleton at The Moat Ground

Nick Jackson and Alex Beck rescued Boston United from the brink of defeat, as the Pilgrims progressed into the next round of the FA Youth Cup at the expense of Gresley Rovers.

The Pilgrims fell behind in the 70th minute at the Moat Ground, but Jackson and Beck (twice) struck in the final 11 minutes to spare United’s blushes and book a second qualifying round tie against either Long Eaton United or Carlton Town in the process.

Going into the match at the Moat Ground, youth team boss Steve Welsh made two changes to the side that had lost 3-2 to Chesterfield on Saturday. Striker Joe Hutchinson replaced injury victim Nathan Thompson, while skipper Jon Fairweather was fit enough to replace Josh Mountain at the heart of defence.

Billy Oliver was included on the bench after his injury lay-off, while defender Wes McLening was missing through illness.

The home side kicked off, resplendent in their red and white strip, while the Pilgrims donned the club’s traditional colours of amber and black.

The game was held up inside the first minute when full-back Adam Guyler received treatment, but he was soon fit enough to continue.

Good play involving Chris Baker and Hutchinson freed full-back Mitchell Griffiths on the overlap, but he was fouled and from the resultant Oliver Maltby free-kick, Simon Ashton saw his header drift off target from six yards.

The Pilgrims bossed the opening stages and Maltby drilled wide from 20 yards, having seen Hutchinson’s effort blocked by Gresley skipper Harley Hollinshead.

Boston wasted a glorious opportunity in the 11th minute when Fairweather rose brilliantly to meet Maltby’s towering free-kick, but he directed his firm header too high from eight yards.

Gresley threatened for the first time when Nathan Rolph went racing clear a minute later, but his effort lacked direction and drifted well wide of Aaron Butcher’s near post.

Beck held the ball up well before turning to drill goalwards from 18 yards, but the Gresley defence stood firm to block his firm effort.

Shane Clancy and Griffiths did well to combine down the right and the latter’s cross was charged behind by Josh Kavandeas, with Beck and Hutchinson waiting eagerly for the delivery.

Gresley went close when Hollinshead nodded the ball on to the roof of the net, following Rolph’s inviting corner.

Clancy and Griffiths continued to work well down the right and the former’s cross was nodded off target by Maltby from 12 yards.

The home side had a let-off on the stroke of half-time when Hollinshead sliced the ball just over his own bar, following a good cross from Clancy, however the teams went into the break level pegging at 0-0.

The Pilgrims wasted their first chance of the second half, with Beck firing wide from Clancy’s right-wing centre.

Home keeper Danny Marsh comfortably dealt with Baker’s long-range effort in the 48th minute, after Clancy had skipped clear down the right once again to deliver a telling cross.

The Pilgrims made their first change in the 53rd minute, when fit-again Oliver replaced Maltby in midfield.

Butcher had to scramble across his goal two minutes later to claw away Rolph’s long-range drive, as the visitors sensed a possible opening.

The Pilgrims responded and Baker screwed a 25-yard effort well wide, following good play from midfield partner Oliver.

Gresley went close when Matthew Weightman directed his header wide of the target, following Rolph’s angled free-kick into the Boston box.

The home side took the lead in the 70th minute when Lee Stretton swept the ball home into the far corner, after Boston had made a real hash of clearing a Gresley corner.

The Pilgrims should have equalised two minutes later, but Ashton headed wide, when well-placed, following Baker’s excellent corner.

United came even closer when Beck headed powerfully against the crossbar, following Jackson’s fantastic left-wing cross.

The Pilgrims threatened once more when Joe Braithwaite drove down the right, before drilling goalwards, although his effort lacked power and Gresley hung on.

However, their resistance was broken when Boston equalised in the 79th minute, with Jackson heading home from six yards, following Baker’s inviting free-kick.

Jackson almost put the Pilgrims in front seconds later, but his firm drive was gathered well by Marsh.

United finally took the lead in the 85th minute when Beck steered the ball home from 20 yards, following great play down the right from Oliver.

Beck added his second and United’s third two minutes later, smashing the ball home from fully 30 yards, with a fabulous, individual goal to wrap up United’s safe passage into the next round.

Gresley (4-4-2): Danny Marsh; Adam Guyler, Lee Stretton, Harley Hollinshead, Josh Kavandeas (Asa Wright 70); Tyrell Shannon-Lewis (Jamie Russell 68), Stuart Fielding, Ashley Clare, Nathan Rolph; Matthew Weightman, Michael Verdi. Sub (not used): Tom Saunders.

Boston (4-4-2): Aaron Butcher; Mitchell Griffiths, Jon Fairweather (Marc Day 89), Simon Ashton, Nick Jackson; Shane Clancy, Chris Baker, Oliver Maltby (Billy Oliver 53), Joe Braithwaite; Alex Beck, Joe Hutchinson. Subs (not used): Josh Mountain, Simon Draper, Callum Stocks.

bufc.co.uk man-of-the-match: Joe Braithwaite