Second half goals book final place

Spencer Weir-Daley

Report by Craig Singleton at Tameside Stadium

PICS: David Shipman

Goals from Danny Sleath and Spencer Weir-Daley fired Boston United to a 2-0 victory over Curzon Ashton on Saturday and booked a final place against Retford United in the process.

The Pilgrims soaked up plenty of home pressure before half-time in the UniBond League Challenge Cup semi-final and struck decisive blows after the break through Sleath and Weir-Daley.

With Retford victorious over Kendal Town in the other semi-final at Cannon Park, a mouth-watering final now lies in store before the end of the season.

Boston bosses Rob Scott and Paul Hurst opted to rest Anthony Church and Marc Newsham, while Chris Wood was missing through injury.

Gareth Davies, Jamie Yates and James Cullingworth were the players coming into the side.

United were sluggish at the start and Tom Evans made a wonderful save to deny Matthew Wood from 30 yards.

Evans subsequently made routine saves to deny Andrew Lundy and Cavell Coo, as the home side sought to break the deadlock.

The Pilgrims struggled to make headway against a resolute Curzon rearguard, who were protecting a home record which had seen them lose only once all season.

United gradually found their feet, with Ryan Semple particularly prominent down the right, but there were no clear-cut chances for the visitors before half-time.

Danny Davidson

The Pilgrims were dominant from the off in the second half and deservedly took the lead on 50 minutes.

Semple played Danny Davidson into the clear and his hold-up play afforded a chance for SLEATH, 12 yards out, and he drilled the ball under keeper Javier Sanchez to give United the lead.

Boston were rampant and Semple feed Sleath once more and Sanchez responded with a terrific stop.

The Pilgrims should have doubled their lead when Davidson skipped clear down the left and cut the ball back for Davies, but he could only fire over from 18 yards.

The lead was soon extended when Davidson produced a delightful reverse pass to free Yates down the left and WEIR-DALEY met the subsequent cross with a glancing header from 12 yards.

With Mikel Suarez and Adam Millson handed late cameos, the Pilgrims played out time to complete a deserved win and book a tasty-looking final against old foes Retford.

The Pilgrims celebrate

Curzon (4-4-2): Javier Sanchez; Cavell Coo (Michael O’Connor 84), David Birch, Adam Jones, Matthew Wood; Chris Worlsey, Phil Edghill, Chris Curley, Dean Canning; Michael Norton, Andrew Lundy. Subs (not used): Hasim Deen, Luke Mack.

Boston (4-4-2): Tom Evans; Liam Parker, Shaun Pearson, Lee Canoville, James Cullingworth; Ryan Semple (Adam Millson 84), Gareth Davies, Danny Sleath, Jamie Yates; Danny Davidson (Mikel Suarez 84), Spencer Weir-Daley. Subs (not used): Simon Ashton, Marc Newsham, Aaron Butcher (gk).