Pilgrims beaten by late goal

Marc Newsham

Report by Craig Singleton at The Jakemans Stadium

PICS: Jon Knight

Boston United suffered a 1-0 defeat to Retford United on Tuesday evening, despite dominating proceedings in an action-packed second half.

The Pilgrims were undone by Chris Wood’s 82nd minute own goal, just moments after being denied a seemingly obvious penalty for a push on Jamie Clarke.

Referee David Naylor allowed play to continue and Wood sliced the ball into his own net, following Neil Harvey’s left-wing cross.

The result was harsh on the Pilgrims who had seen numerous chances go begging during the second half — and left the home side still searching for their first home league win of the season.

Jamie Yates was included from the start, with Mark Camm missing due to family commitments, as the Pilgrims switched to a 4-4-2 formation.

Retford exerted early pressure on the Boston goal and forced a number of set-pieces, but they did not seriously threaten until the 15th minute when Mick Godber drilled wide from 20 yards.

Visiting keeper James Lindley made a routine save eight minutes later to deny Danny Sleath from distance.

Boston made their first change in the 32nd minute when teenager Simon Ashton replaced the injured Shaun Pearson at the back.

The Pilgrims produced a great move three minutes later and Yates’ eventual cross was nodded just wide by Mikel Suarez.

Boston threatened again when Retford failed to clear their lines from a Yates free-kick and it was Yates who saw his eventual piledriver blocked well by Michael Simpkins.

Liam Parker

Retford went close in the first minute of the second half when former United favourite Paul Ellender saw his close-range header blocked, after Boston had only partially cleared a corner.

Lindley then made a cracking save to deny Anthony Church from 25 yards, following Suarez’s driven ball from the left.

Newsham produced a neat turn in the box to bear down on goal and his drive was deflected behind by Stuart Ludlam as the Pilgrims started to turn the screw.

A fantastic move from the Pilgrims involving Wood and Suarez primarily resulted in Sleath drilling just over from 25 yards.

Boston made their second change when Jamie Clarke replaced Suarez and came within a whisker of taking the lead when Dan Cotton slipped Clarke into a shooting position — only for his drive to be hacked off the line by Lee Thompson. Yates then drove an effort marginally wide moments later.

United went agonisingly close when Wood freed Clarke through the middle and he advanced to drill over from 20 yards.

A break in play derailed United’s momentum and Retford took the lead with eight minutes of normal time remaining when WOOD hacked the ball into his own net, under pressure from Colin Marrison, following Harvey’s left-wing cross.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for the Pilgrims, having dominated after the break.

Jamie Yates

Boston (4-4-2): Tom Evans; Chris Wood, Shaun Pearson (Simon Ashton 32), Liam Parker, James Cullingworth; Jamie Yates, Anthony Church, Danny Sleath, Dan Cotton (Matt Kennedy 83); Marc Newsham, Mikel Suarez (Jamie Clarke 69). Subs (not used): Robbie Clark, Aaron Butcher (gk).

Retford (4-4-2): James Lindley; Stuart Ludlam, Nicky Ellis, Michael Simpkins, Lee Thompson; Chris Bettney, Paul Ellender, Ryan Ford (Terry Barwick 43), Colin Marrison; Mick Godber, Neil Harvey. Subs (not used): Ryan Hindley, Dan White, Peter Duffield, Chris Kingston (gk).