United through after cup thriller

United celebrate

Report by Craig Singleton at The Jakemans Stadium

PICS: Tim Hoff

Boston United booked their place in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup courtesy of an entertaining 4-2 win over Loughborough Dynamo.

United were always in control of the cup tie at The Jakemans Stadium, although they were twice pegged back during the first half after goals from Marc Newsham and Mikel Suarez.

Shaun Pearson scored two goals after the break to cement United’s place in Monday’s second qualifying round draw and further goals could easily have arrived as Boston pressed home their advantage.

Ahead of kick-off, Pearson and Matt Kennedy were handed their first starts of the campaign, replacing the injured Lee Canoville and rested Dan Cotton.

Boston produced a neat move down the right inside five minutes and Newsham was denied from close-range by Ricky Nurse, following Chris Wood’s cross.

The Pilgrims were forced into the first change when Danny Davidson limped off to be replaced by Suarez.

Boston should have taken the lead when Danny Sleath met Kennedy’s left-wing cross with a diving header, but his effort flashed off target.

The Pilgrims took the lead in the 23rd minute when NEWSHAM rolled the ball home from six yards, after Suarez had successfully chased down a long ball forward to nip ahead of Richard Bredice to cross.

The visitors equalised a minute later when Reece LESTER fired home an unstoppable drive from 20 yards, into the bottom corner, after holding off the attentions of Wood.

Mikel Suarez

United re-established their lead three minutes further on when SUAREZ rose highest to power home Kennedy’s inviting corner delivery.

Boston went close again when Sleath fired an effort just wide from 20 yards, following good play from Anthony Church. Church was then denied from 20 yards by Bredice, high to the keeper’s left.

Loughborough went close when Kris Nurse nodded just wide, following Allen’s inswinging corner.

The visitors equalised for a second time when Kris NURSE rolled the ball home from 12 yards, following a slip by Pearson, to send Loughborough in on level terms.

The Pilgrims started the second half in positive fashion and Sleath saw an effort deflected wide following Newsham’s cross. Bredice then did well to deny Suarez, following Mark Camm’s flighted ball into the box.

Loughborough missed a ‘sitter’ when the otherwise excellent Kris Nurse nodded over from close-range, following Lester’s superb cross.

The Pilgrims made their second change when Jamie Clarke replaced Kennedy and United took the lead for a third time when PEARSON swept the ball home from close-range, following Sleath’s deep free-kick.

United added their fourth goal when PEARSON headed home from six yards, despite the best efforts of Ricky Nurse on the line, after Suarez had rattled the bar following Church’s right-wing cross.

Joe Latham was well-positioned to deny United adding their fifth, knocking the ball off the line to thwart Cotton, after the Boston sub had rounded keeper Bredice.

The Pilgrims had a goal ruled out in stoppage time when Suarez bundled the ball home from an offside position, but United were safely through regardless.

Shaun Pearson

Boston (4-3-3): Tom Evans; Chris Wood, Shaun Pearson, Liam Parker, James Cullingworth; Mark Camm, Anthony Church, Danny Sleath; Marc Newsham (Dan Cotton 77), Danny Davidson (Mikel Suarez 14), Matt Kennedy (Jamie Clarke 63). Subs (not used): Nick Jackson, Simon Ashton, Aaron Butcher (gk).

Loughborough (4-4-2): Richard Bredice; Andy Harrison, Joe Latham, Ricky Nurse, Jake Betts; Karl Brennan (Jamie Allen 82), Neil Morgan, Lewis Allen, Reece Lester; Kris Nurse, Alex Johnson (Callum Ross 72). Subs (not used): Danny Jenno, Mike McLarnon, Adam Hohn, Mitch Glover (gk).