Semple strike secures friendly win

Danny Davidson

Report by Craig Singleton at The Jakemans Stadium

PICS: Tim Hoff

Boston United kicked off their pre-season schedule with a single goal success over Grimsby Town on Friday evening, with winger Ryan Semple netting inside the opening two minutes.

Semple slammed the ball home from close-range, following James Cullingworth’s excellent left-wing centre, to settle the pre-season friendly in the home side’s favour.

The Pilgrims were full value for their victory of a mixed strength Grimsby line-up, which included Football League veterans Nick Colgan, Robbie Stockdale and Adrian Forbes.

United handed a start to defender Kieran Murphy, while fellow new signing Miles Hunter and youth team starlet Jason Field were afforded second half run-outs.

The Pilgrims got off to the dream start when Danny Davidson did brilliantly to free Cullingworth down the left. His cross on the overlap landed invitingly at the back post and SEMPLE rifled the ball high past an exposed Colgan.

The home side’s lively start continued with Shaun Pearson heading over from Semple’s flighted free-kick.

Davidson produced a silky piece of skill to slip Semple in down the right, but his cross was cut out expertly by Charlie L’Anson, as Spencer Weir-Daley lurked for a tap-in.

United had a let-off when Chris Jones weaved into the area following Murphy’s slip, but he was only able to drill into the side-netting.

Ryan Semple scores...

The Pilgrims remained in the ascendancy and Weir-Daley lashed an effort marginally wide from distance.

With four changes made at half-time by the Pilgrims, both sides were slow out of the blocks in the second period, although Semple did fire wide when well-placed.

Mikel Suarez rattled the crossbar with a firm header following Semple’s corner, while Simon Ashton saw a follow-up gathered by Colgan.

Adam Millson — aiming to prove his fitness in pre-season — was handed a late cameo appearance.

Hunter showed his blistering pace to get free down the left and his eventual cross was fired just wide by Danny Sleath.

Aaron Butcher’s first meaningful save of the match arrived with two minutes remaining when he comfortably clutched Drew Rhodes’ long-range effort.

...and duly celebrates

Boston (4-4-2): Aaron Butcher; Lee Canoville (Jason Field 73), Shaun Pearson (Simon Ashton 46), Kieran Murphy, James Cullingworth; Ryan Semple (Adam Millson 73), Anthony Church, Danny Sleath, Shane Clancy (Jamie Yates 46); Danny Davidson (Mikel Suarez 46), Spencer Weir-Daley (Miles Hunter 46). Sub (not used): Ricky Drury (gk).

Grimsby (4-4-2): Nick Colgan; Robbie Stockdale (Connor Marshall 85), Mark Gray, Charlie L’Anson, Nick Hegarty (Lawrence Heward 82); Adrian Forbes (Ross Gardner 64), Andi Thanoj, Drew Rhodes, David Hutton (Josh Fuller 62); Tom Corner (Nathan Dixon 46), Chris Jones (Sam Mulready 76). Sub (not used): Steve Croudson (gk).