Pilgrims fail to make progress against Heed
A superb second half display in Lincolnshire saw National League North BOSTON UNITED 1 GATESHEAD 2
A SUPERB second-half display in Lincolnshire saw National League North leaders Gateshead stretch their unbeaten run to eight games.
Only two points have been dropped during the superb run as the Heed completed the double over play-off hopefuls Boston. Mike Williamson’s title-chasers now have the chance to capitalise on two home games this week against Curzon Ashton and Bradford Park Avenue.
Brackley Town are proving hard to shake off, the Saints hot on the Heed’s heels with the two sides meeting in Northamptonshire in a fortnight.
A goal early in each half from midfield man Owen Bailey and Cedwyn Scott was enough to halt the Pilgrims’ progress. The Pilgrims, unbeaten in four, managed only the one goal, and that came from the spot from Dany Elliott, the striker’s 22nd goal of the campaign.
It was Scott’s 21st goal, however, that proved pivotal, player-manager Williamson more satisfied with the result than the display.
“It was a battling performance, but we weren’t at our best today,” said the former Newcastle star. “Boston is a very difficult place to come. The first half was littered with mistakes and there were a few decisions that went against us. But the endeavour of these lads to keep fighting for every scrap paid off, and that’s what they have done all season.
“I can’t praise them enough, they’re a great group of lads to work with and the heart, the fight and passion was there in abundance.
“Our game is to play forward-thinking, fast transitional, counter-pressing football, and that’s what we did in the second half.”
Boston came racing out of the traps, forcing three corners in the first three minutes, while firing a trio of early efforts on the Heed goal.
Teenage on-loan Aston Villa goalkeeper Filip Marschall had to save well from Luke Shiels’ acrobatic effort.
The early offensive enthused the majority in a crowd of 1,592 at Boston’s impressive new Jakeman’s Community Stadium.
An impeccable playing surface played into Gateshead’s hands and after repelling the early onslaught, they had the lead on seven minutes.
Captain Greg Olley whipped in a free kick and Bailey powered a header beyond past Sheffield United loanee
Marcus Dewhurst in the Pilgrims goal.
It was a dream start for the Heed but they were pegged back 10 minutes later when Elliot burst into the box.
Elliot was fouled by defender Louis Storey and picked himself up to beat Marschall from the spot.
The players were taken off for 12 minutes when a replacement had to be found for an injured linesman before play could be resumed.
Gateshead stepped up a gear after the break, limiting Boston to very little, while creating openings at the other end. A minute later Scott struck to seal a 10th away win – more than any other side in Vanarama National League North.
Scott, found by Olley, checked back on Brad Nicholson to cut inside and find the bottom corner with a trademark low drive. The rest of the half belonged to an impressive Gateshead, Adam Campbell twice going close in the space of seven minutes.
Boston sub Fraser Preston and Nicholson put efforts over the bar at the other end, Olley’s mazy run deserving of a goal but repelled by Dewhurst. The Pilgrims had changed their shape for the final half hour and while Preston had an effort ruled out in stoppage time for offside the Pilgrims boat had already sailed.
BOSTON UNITED: Dewhurst; Tootle (Pollock 14), Shiels, Platt, Byrne, Nicholson, Abbot (Preston 59), Leesley, Wright, Elliot, Burrow
Subs: (not used) Duxbury, Thanoj, Hanson
GATESHEAD: Marschall; Tinkler, Magnay, Storey, Charters; Hunter; Bailey, Olley (Pani 90); Campbell; Scott (Malley 82), Langstaff (Greenfield 90)
Subs (not used): Montgomery (gk)
Attendance: 1,592