United beaten by resilient Daniels

Gareth Clayton

Report by Craig Singleton at Vic Couzens Stadium

PICS: Kevin Rook

Boston United tumbled to their first defeat of pre-season as hosts Stamford secured a 2-1 victory at the Vic Couzens Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Danny Davidson had given the Pilgrims a first half lead, but Simon Mowbray and Lee Beeson struck either side of half-time to win the match for the Daniels of Evo-Stik Division One South.

Ahead of kick-off, United bosses Rob Scott and Paul Hurst had included trialist left-back Gareth Clayton, while fit-again Marc Newsham was handed a starting berth too.

The Pilgrims started brightly and Jamie Yates lifted an effort wide following Ryan Semple’s forceful run and cross down the right.

United took the lead on 22 minutes when DAVIDSON wriggled free unmarked to meet Semple’s flighted corner delivery and power the ball home from 12 yards.

The lead lasted only four minutes though with MOWBRAY sweeping the ball home from close-range, following Callum Reed’s driven cross from the right flank.

Anthony Church crashed a long-range free-kick over the Stamford bar, while Danny Sleath drilled too high from distance at the beginning of the second period.

Shaun Pearson

Stamford should have taken the lead when Mowbray met Tony Battersby’s cross, but could only head wide at the back post.

The home side got their noses in front after 64 minutes when BEESON latched on to a throughball that had eluded the Boston defence to drill beyond Aaron Butcher from inside the penalty area.

Numerous substitutions on both sides disrupted the flow of the second half — but the Pilgrims never seriously threatened a route back into contention.

The star performer of United reserves’ early pre-season schedule — winger Harry Deane — was handed an opportunity to impress, while youngster Jason Field made another substitute appearance.

Stamford thought they had extended their lead nine minutes from time when Paul Malone met Beeson’s corner with a bullet header, but Butcher excelled with a magnificent one-handed save.

Goalmouth action

Stamford (4-4-2): Chris Wright; Callum Reed, Miles Chamberlain, Paul Malone, Nick Jackson; Lee Beeson (David Sheridan 83), Andy Toyne, Ben Sedgemore (Adam Weston 69), Dan Cotton (Stuart King 76); Tony Battersby, Simon Mowbray. Subs (not used): Seth Burkett, Jake Walton, Craig Rook, Elliott Flowers (gk).

Boston (4-4-2): Aaron Butcher; Lee Canoville (James Cullingworth 46), Shaun Pearson (Simon Ashton 78), Kieran Murphy, Gareth Clayton (Jason Field 66); Ryan Semple (Spencer Weir-Daley 46), Anthony Church, Danny Sleath (Adam Millson 78), Jamie Yates (Miles Hunter 46); Danny Davidson (Mikel Suarez 41), Marc Newsham (Harry Deane 60). Sub (not used): Shane Clancy.