PILGRIMS PARTY AS CITY SLIDE
Mulhern fluke sets up win
BOSTON UNITED extended their fine form with a 3-1 win over York City as the Minstermen squandered their chance to go top, Pilgrims manager Craig Elliott describing it as “probably the best result of the season”.
“Going behind made the win even sweeter” explained the United boss, Boston having trailed after just seven minutes. Kurt Willoughby latched on to Adriano Moke’s lofted through ball and lobbed the onrushing Peter Crook from the edge of the area.
The hosts – looking to go seven games unbeaten – ought to have been level two minutes later, but Dominic Knowles side-footed Alex Penny’s cross over.
The first half was not without its talking points – Simon Ainge avoiding a card for a robust challenge on Willoughby before the scorer was only cautioned for pushing Alex Whittle into the pitchside metal caging used by disabled supporters.
After an open first quarter-hour, chances became difficult to find, but the Pilgrims equalised nonetheless on 38 minutes. Frank Mulhern cut in from the right to shoot from 12 yards; his effort looped off Steve McNulty, over Peter Jameson and kissed the underside of the bar on its way in.
It was Boston who dominated possession after the break and they were ahead on 52 minutes. A deep corner wasn’t cleared by York, allowing Andi Thanoj to fire an effort towards the roof of Jameson’s net. While the keeper was able to push the longrange strike on to the bar, he could do nothing about Brad Abbott’s follow-up as the midfielder prodded over the stranded stopper.
York made three chances but Boston managed the game well as play was largely in the Minstermen’s half. Mulhern went closest as Jameson denied him at his near post, fellow goalscorer Abbot having put the Stockport loanee in on goal.
The visitors went agonisingly close to a leveller with 15 minutes to play, but Andy Bond’s strike cannoned off the frame of the goal.
City’s luck at the other was not much better as Boston doubled their lead. A short corner between Thanoj
and Alex Whittle set the former up to cross, but his deep ball found Jameson’s net despite the keeper’s attempts to palm clear.
United’s third knocked the wind out of City’s sails and the visitors had no more chances to halve the deficit. York boss Steve Watson admitted “Boston deserved to win the game.”
On Frank Mulhern’s equaliser, Craig Elliott admitted “I have no idea how that went in.” Boston trail York by six points, with two games in hand as City remain a point behind leaders King’s Lynn.
STAR MAN: Brad Abbott (Boston) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★