United edge Sheffield friendly clash

Spencer Weir-Daley

Report by Craig Singleton at
The BT Local Business Stadium

PICS: David Shipman

Strike trio Mikel Suarez, Danny Davidson and Spencer Weir-Daley struck as Boston United recorded a 3-2 victory at Sheffield FC on Saturday afternoon.

The much-changed Pilgrims drew first blood through Suarez, but goals from Brian Cusworth and Chris Adam in quick succession handed Sheffield a half-time advantage.

Boston made a number of alterations after the break and secured their third successive pre-season victory through late goals from Davidson and Weir-Daley.

Both sides cancelled each other out during the early stages, but Boston were the first to threaten through Danny Sleath’s driven free-kick, after Miles Hunter had been cynically fouled by Tom Jones. Keeper Leigh Walker was equal to Sleath’s effort though.

Shaun Pearson thumped a header off target following Jamie Yates’ free-kick, while a Yates corner was glanced wide by the head of Hunter.

The Pilgrims took the lead on 21 minutes when Simon Ashton’s throughball was flicked on by Hunter and SUAREZ held off Greg Wright to drill the ball home from 12 yards.

Adam Millson — handed a welcome starting appearance — almost doubled United’s lead following a neat one-two with Suarez, but was thwarted by a top drawer save from Walker.

The home side drew level on the half-hour mark when CUSWORTH outjumped James Cullingworth at the back post to power home Adam’s right-wing cross.

ADAM got himself on the scoresheet six minutes later when he picked his spot from 20 yards before dispatching the ball into the bottom corner of Aaron Butcher’s net.

Jason Field

The Pilgrims had chances before the break, with Ashton heading wide from Ryan Semple’s corner, while Yates’ long-range free-kick was gathered at the second attempt by Walker, before the keeper denied an otherwise clean through Hunter.

Suarez had an effort beaten away by Walker at the beginning of the second period, but much of the half was played out in a congested midfield area.

However, United drew level on 77 minutes when DAVIDSON got up brilliantly to thump a header past Walker, following Semple’s arrowing right-wing delivery.

Walker made a tremendous stop to deny Weir-Daley from close-range, but the subsequent Semple corner saw substitute Lee Cooksey foul Anthony Church in the box and WEIR-DALEY slammed the spot-kick high into the net to give United the lead.

Weir-Daley could have had another goal three minutes from time, but drilled over when well-placed.

Adam Millson

Sheffield (4-4-2): Leigh Walker; Greg Wright, Tom Jones (Lee Cooksey 51), Scott Lowe, Adam Burley; Chris Adam, Curtis Woodhouse, Matt Outram, Ashley Burbeary; Brian Cusworth (Kirk Jackson 72), Andrew Gascoigne. Subs (not used): Ryan Davis, Matt Roney.

Boston (4-4-2): Aaron Butcher; James Cullingworth (Lee Canoville 46), Simon Ashton, Shaun Pearson (Kieran Murphy 46), Jason Field; Ryan Semple, Adam Millson, Danny Sleath (Anthony Church 46), Jamie Yates (Shane Clancy 46); Mikel Suarez (Danny Davidson 62), Miles Hunter (Spencer Weir-Daley 62).