United hit six in pre-season thriller

Marc Newsham celebrates

Report by Craig Singleton at The Jakemans Stadium

PICS: Tim Hoff

Boston United powered to a decisive 6-1 victory over Macclesfield Town on Thursday evening as their impressive pre-season form continued.

Marc Newsham’s hat-trick and Jamie Clarke’s double did the bulk of the damage, with Danny Sleath the other scorer, as Boston overturned an early strike from Matthew Tipton to record a comprehensive success.

The Pilgrims produced some scintinlating football in spells and were worthy winners of a ‘mixed’ Macclesfield side under the guidance of former United skipper Gary Simpson.

Ahead of kick-off, Anthony Church had been handed his first start in United colours, with winger Rory Prendergast also given another opportunity to impress.

Boston carved out the game’s first real opportunity with Liam Parker heading Sleath’s inswinging corner straight into the arms of Josh Welsby from six yards.

Macclesfield took the lead in the 18th minute when TIPTON lifted the ball beyond an exposed Tom Evans, after Lee Canoville had failed to cut out Michael Thomas’ driven ball forward.

Boston almost forced an immediate leveller, but Newsham’s header dropped on to the roof of the net after Parker had nodded on Chris Wood’s deep free-kick.

Evans made a good save when he parried Kyle Wilson’s long-range effort wide for a corner, following Rikki Bains’ raking throughball.

The Pilgrims equalised in the 24th minute when NEWSHAM rolled the ball home from the spot, after seeing his initial drive handled by Bains, following Wood’s excellent cross from the right.

Welsby made a good stop on the half hour mark when he clutched Sleath’s angled drive from 18 yards, which dipped menacingly at the final moment.

Aerial pressure

The open nature of the game continued with Tom France bursting clear down the right-hand side, before drilling wide from 20 yards, under pressure from James Cullingworth.

Boston almost took the lead in the 35th minute when Newsham weaved into the box to deliver a telling ball and Wood’s shot-on-the-tumble was hacked off the line by Matthew Flynn.

At the other end, Flynn’s diagonal ball played Wilson into the clear and his volley dropped over from 12 yards.

United took the lead in the 59th minute when CLARKE clinically lashed the ball home from 18 yards, at the near post, after dispossessing Pete Williams.

Two minutes later, SLEATH bundled the ball home for United’s third, following Prendergast’s excellent ball from the left.

United moved further in front in the 63rd minute when NEWSHAM fired the ball home from a tight angle, after rounding keeper Welsby, to establish a three-goal lead for the Pilgrims.

Boston went close again when Clarke glanced a close-range header wide, following Jackson’s inviting ball from the left.

The Pilgrims added their fifth goal when CLARKE rifled the ball home from 18 yards, after dancing through the Macclesfield defence at will.

NEWSHAM completed his hat-trick with three minutes remaining, stooping to deflect home Church’s driven free-kick from 25 yards, as United rounded matters off in style.

Danny Sleath

Boston (4-3-3): Tom Evans; Chris Wood, Lee Canoville (Nick Jackson 71), Liam Parker, James Cullingworth; Mark Camm, Anthony Church, Danny Sleath (Matt Kennedy 64); Marc Newsham, Jamie Clarke, Rory Prendergast (Shane Clancy 62). Sub (not used): Mikel Suarez.

Macclesfield (4-4-2): Josh Welsby (Liam Davies 81); Matthew Flynn, Rikki Bains, Pete Williams (Adam Jukes 68), Matt Lowe; Tom France, Michael Thomas, Andy Gascoigne (Adam Roberts 68), Kristian Dennis; Matthew Tipton (David Ewen 54), Kyle Wilson (James Askey 73).