The Jakemans Community Stadium, home of Boston United based in Lincolnshire and compete in the National League North. Nicknamed the “Pilgrims” after the Pilgrim Fathers settling near Boston in the USA after leaving England all those years ago. Another former Football League club languishing down in the non league which just goes to show that you are not too big to go down!
The club is now midway through it’s second season in their new ground after leaving the fabulous York Street! It will have to go a long way to be as good as their former ground I’d say! Alfreton Town the visitors today. The journey now from Shirebrook to Boston which will be my longest journey as a qualified driver. 1 hour and 20 minutes later, and here I am! Mackem Mark is here today as well! £14 to watch this National League North tie! BOOM!
Kick Off! “Boston normally get given a Penalty at home” let’s see if Mackem Mark will be proven right this time around. “UNITED! UNITED!” Boston fans in good voice so far! 3 minutes in and Alfreton have a throw in on the right, it’s a long throw into the box towards Matt Rhead, Boston get a head to it but it’s loose in the box… It falls to Matt Rhead who shoots first time… Saved by the keeper… And he claims it.
“We all hate Lincoln!” Boston fans showing their hatred of their local rivals Lincoln City! 14 minutes played and Alfreton work it forward, it’s played to Matt Rhead on the edge of the box, brilliant skill by him and here’s Conor Branson who’s in on goal… He finishes!!! Alfreton lead! A brilliant backheel from Matt Rhead sets Branson free in the box to run in! 0-1!
“Yellow & Black army!!” Boston fans not dead yet! 21 minutes on the clock and Alfreton come forward down the right wing, they work it around brilliantly again and here’s Bobby Johnson on the edge of the box, he goes for goal… Deflected… It’s in!!! It’s totally wrong footed the keeper and Alfreton have another!! They are in dreamland here and have stunned the Jakemans Community Stadium… 0-2!
Can Boston respond here? “F***ing useless!” The Boston fans don’t think so… Boston having plenty of possession but are struggling in the final third and are not shooting which is frustrating the fans… Alfreton on the other hand are looking dangerous on the break and Matt Rhead’s presence in the air is causing the Boston defenders a lot of problems!
“We’ve got the ball! We’ve lost the ball!” Boston fans resorting to the possession of the game now! 39th minute and Alfreton break forward down the right hand side, it’s crossed in, Matt Rhead gets up the highest… Brilliant save by the Boston keeper there! His trailing leg forces a corner, in comes the corner… Boston clear.
43 minutes on the clock now and Alfreton play forward again, a chipped ball is played into the box, it’s headed on and it falls to Bobby Johnson and he goes to curl it into the far corner… Tipped onto the post… The flag is up! It wouldn’t have counted! Offside! Alfreton lead at the break… “What the f***ing hell was that!?” Boston fans not happy as the players walk off… I wouldn’t be neither!
Second half, great to see Joe Gibbons again today and great to meet Moon Hopper here too!! 1 minute into the second half, Boston work it down the right wing, it’s crossed in, Boston win it and get it into a dangerous area here, the shot comes in… It’s past the keeper and here comes Danny Elliott… It’s struck back off the bar by the Alfreton defender and they clear… How did that stay out? Here come Alfreton on the breakaway straight away, it’s played into Matt Rhead in the box and shoots… Saved by the keeper!
50 minutes now and Boston come forward, it’s played to Keenan Ferguson who gets to the edge of the box and he shoots… Keeper saves! It’s a corner, in it comes… Alfreton clear. 1 minute later and it’s Alfreton down the right, it’s launched into the box towards Matt Rhead… He heads it in… But the Referee has given a free kick for a push in the back by Rhead, no goal! An explosive start to this half!
55 minutes now and Alfreton play forward down the right again, switched over to the left for Yusifu Ceesay, he cuts inside and shoots… Blocked! But it comes back to him… He’s hit the post! Goal kick! 62 minutes on the clock now and Boston have a throw in on the right, played in, they work it into the box to Danny Elliott who turns and shoots… Over!
2 minutes later and Boston come forward again, they get it to the edge of the area, it’s played to Jordan Preston who takes a touch and he lets fly… BANG! Top corner!!! Great strike and Boston are back in it! 1-2!
2 minutes after that and Boston are piling on the pressure now! Ferguson plays it into the box, it comes to Paul Green in the box… Good challenge by the Alfreton man and they clear… Why didn’t he shoot!? Here come Alfreton on the break again! A through ball to Yusifu Ceesay who’s through on goal here… Denied by the keeper! Should’ve scored there! End to end stuff here!
“Yellow & Black army!” Boston fans starting to believe again! 71 minutes now and Alfreton with the ball on the left, Ceesay has it and he crosses, in towards Bailey Hobson… It’s a goal!!! Alfreton restore their 2 goal lead!! Is that the goal that kills off the game for Boston? 1-3!!
“You’re nothing special! We lose every week!” And just like that, the Boston fans have lost faith again… Boston pressing the Alfreton goal but are still not taking enough shots at goal… 87 minutes on the clock and Adam Lund has the ball for Alfreton in his own half… But he’s slipped and Boston pounce on it, Danny Elliott has it in the box on the left, he plays it across low… Nobody there and it rolls away.
Into stoppage time now and Boston have it down the right, it’s played across the edge of the box, it’s played into the box now, it’s loose up in the air, Joe Leesley challenges for it… He’s brought down by the keeper there! The Referee points to the spot! Mackem Mark was right!! Danny Elliott steps up… And scores!! They race back to the centre spot, is there time? 2-3!!
One final charge for Boston… It comes to nothing and Alfreton clear… There’s the final whistle! Game over! “Sacked in the morning!” Boston fans furious! “We’re f***ing s**t!”
FT: Boston United 2-3 Alfreton Town
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 4/10 – It started so well but due to the poor first half display, the fans’ spirits soon faded away… Maybe on a better day on the pitch it would’ve been better?
- The Ground: 7/10 – It would have had to have been pretty special to be as good as York Street but despite that, I do like this ground! It looks good from the outside and it is a proper non league ground! I’m sure it will look even better when the stand behind the goal is finished!
- Expense: 10/10 – It was a great game and I certainly got my money’s worth for £14!! 5 goals and a Penalty in an end to end game!
- Overall Experience: 7/10 – Great to see Mackem Mark, Joe Gibbons and Moon Hopper today!! A great game to see as well! I’m glad I made the journey!!
28/40
Come and say hello when you come to Alfreton
I’ve been before during pre season with Mansfield Town, but I’m sure I’ll come again sometime!
Great write up Jake looking to visit. Love the photos. Well done on your driving where did you 🅿️ off to Boston Town today in UCL
Thanks mate! I parked just before the roundabout in the quadrant, it’s not the best for parking admittedly but I got there 1 hour before kick off so I’d get there early for sure