Brilliant Boston claim big away win

Shaun Pearson is mobbed

Report by Craig Singleton at Cannon Park

PICS: David Shipman

Boston United produced a tremendous battling performance to chalk up three massive points against Retford United on Tuesday evening as the chase for the UniBond Premier League title intensified.

Headers from Danny Sleath and Shaun Pearson sandwiched a Chris Bettney equaliser as Boston produced a fantastic rearguard action to keep the physical home side at bay.

Pearson’s winning goal cut the deficit on leaders Bradford Park Avenue to just one point, albeit with the leaders having two games in hand.

Managers Rob Scott and Paul Hurst had opted to make three changes ahead of kick-off, with Liam Parker deployed at right-back in preference to James Cullingworth, with an aerial bombardment anticipated.

Retford started brightly with Darryl Thomas seeing a snapshot gathered by Tom Evans, while Neil Harvey whistled an effort too high from 25 yards.

Boston grew into the game and Danny Davidson nodded a Canoville free-kick into the path of Pearson, who headed just over from close-range.

Pearson repeated the feat moments later when he met Ryan Semple’s free-kick, following a foul on the forceful Davidson down the United right.

With referee Dave Storrie keep a tight leash of some keen tackling from the home side, free-kicks were frequent, although Canoville and Davidson were the only players cautioned during the first half.

Danny Sleath celebrates

The Pilgrims took the lead after 31 minutes, following a lovely flowing move. Semple and Sleath combined to free Spencer Weir-Daley down the United left. The former Nottingham Forest striker twisted into space and delivered a lovely cross which was brilliantly headed home, into the roof of the net, by SLEATH from 12 yards.

The lead lasted only a matter of minutes though and after Canoville had upended Harvey 25 yards from goal, BETTNEY fired home the resultant free-kick with some aplomb.

Boston started the second half with real purpose and could have scored when Pearson saw his header clawed to safety, despite appearing to be over the line, following Sleath’s corner. Handball shouts were also waved away, leaving Boston doubly disappointed.

However, there were soon joyous scenes among the visiting contingent when PEARSON rose majestically to meet Sleath’s corner delivery with a bullet header which reasserted Boston’s lead.

Roared on by over 400 fans in the 664 attendance, Boston seemed content to sit on their lead, as Retford piled bodies forward in search of a second leveller.

Harvey had two stabs at the ball centrally, following Stuart Ludlam’s cross, while Colin Marrison volleyed high and wide from 18 yards.

The home side continued to pepper the Boston box with a series of long balls, throw-ins and corners, but the amber and black’s defensive unit stood strong.

Davidson volleyed marginally over from Weir-Daley’s cross in the dying moments, while ex-Pilgrim Lee Thompson almost equalised for the visitors deep into stoppage time, but Boston were left to celebrate a momumental three-point haul at the home of one of their main promotion rivals.

Shaun Pearson scores

Retford (4-4-2): James Lindley; Stuart Ludlam, Nicky Ellis, Michael Simpkins, Lee Thompson; Chris Bettney, Paul Ellender, Marquin Smith, Colin Marrison (Matt Caudwell 81); Neil Harvey, Darryl Thomas. Subs (not used): Mick Godber, Fabian Smith, Lee Holmes, Paul Keeling (gk).

Boston (4-4-2): Tom Evans; Liam Parker, Shaun Pearson, Lee Canoville, Chris Wood; Marc Newsham (James Cullingworth 71), Anthony Church, Danny Sleath, Ryan Semple (Jamie Yates 90); Danny Davidson (Mikel Suarez 88), Spencer Weir-Daley. Subs (not used): Adam Millson, Aaron Butcher (gk).