Eslaforde Park, home of Sleaford Town based in Lincolnshire and compete at Step 5 of the Non League Pyramid in the United Counties Premier Division North.
Ground number 288 and it’s a Lincolnshire derby between Sleaford Town and Boston Town. Sleaford I have seen already this season losing away at AFC Mansfield whereas Boston I don’t recall ever seeing. Good luck charm? Me and Match Days Joe will be there to see it all!
Straight onto the M1, onto the M18 towards the A1 and to the A17 which sees me at the ground in good time! £6 to get in here! Bargain! £3 for a pin badge as well. The man looking after the car park is expecting a good crowd here tonight which will almost certainly mean familiar faces! And just like that here’s Mark and Jon in the clubhouse!
Time passes on and here comes Match Days Joe along with Vinny! The team is strong here tonight! The temperature is dropping… But out come the teams! Who’s got the love of Lincolnshire tonight then?!
Kick Off! 7 minutes in and Boston give the ball away in their own half and Joe Smith is away here, he gets to the edge of the box and shoots… Keeper saves but he’s there for the rebound… And he puts it away!!! Sleaford lead!! Poor from Boston… Brilliant for Sleaford! 1-0!
Straight from kick off and Boston are in search of an equaliser. Fraser Bayliss is away down the left and he drives into the box, he shoots… Saved! They win a corner which is played short, they have it on the edge of the box and it’s played to Liam Adams in the box on the left to go for the curler… Oooooh! Just wide of the far post.
10 minutes now and here come Sleaford! They get into the box and it’s played to Smith to shoot… Blocked! It’s loose… It comes for Adiku… Saved! Boston clear. So close for another there for Sleaford.
23rd minute and Sleaford come forward again, it’s played to Rushen on the left who cuts inside and goes for goal from distance… Just over! A screamer in waiting there!
33 minutes now and Boston drive forward now, it’s played through to Fraser Bayliss in the box running in… And he scores!! Brilliant finish! Boston are level!! 1-1!
This is a fast paced game and there are signs that it could boil over with tempers getting a little heated and the Sleaford fans wolf whistling to rile up the Boston players but it’s all in good spirits! Who doesn’t love a bit of non league eh!?
38th minute and Sleaford have it in the Boston half, Rushen has it and he goes for goal from about 35 yards out…… Ooooooh! Just over! A very audacious attempt there!
The game is really starting to heat up now on 44 minutes as Boston have it on the right, it’s played in, it comes for Fraser Bayliss to shoot… He’s missed the ball completely but he’ll get another go… Blocked and Sleaford clear. Half time here at 1-1 at the right time before the player’s tempers get the better of them…
Second half, 47th minute and Sleaford have a free kick in the Boston half, it’s played into the box, it comes for Sleaford and it’s played to Joe Smith who shoots on the stretch… And he’s beaten the keeper and scored!!! Sleaford take the lead AGAIN!! 2-1! This could get tasty!
Tough tackles coming in a lot more now as the game goes on… Tempers are fraying here now after a silly string of tackles and the Referee needs to control this! 2 Yellow Cards, one for each team and for a Sleaford substitute there.
57 minutes on the watch and Boston play down the left, it’s crossed in, it comes nicely for Lee Beeson at the back stick to volley… SAVED! Brilliant strong arm to deny Beeson there by the Sleaford keeper and they clear the danger. Big moment there!
68 minutes now and here come Boston down the left again, it’s played across the box low for Tom MUCKLIN… Saved again by the keeper! Boston have got to come again.
76th minute and Sleaford play a long ball forward, Francis shrugs off the Boston defenders and he’s in… Keeper saves! Close!
81 minutes on the watch now and Sleaford have won a free kick on the edge of the box to the left, Francis takes and he goes for the delivery… OH! No one on the end of it and the keeper claims.
Boston are throwing everything at Sleaford now but tempers are fraying again on the touchline… Was the ball kicked away there by Sleaford to run down the clock?
Into added time now and Sleaford play down the left, it’s played across to Joe Smith who can seal the deal here… NO! It’s somehow off the line by Luke Wilson that is incredible defending! Play goes on… Sleaford hang on for the win!
FT: Sleaford Town 2-1 Boston Town
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 4/10 – Not bad from the Sleaford fans! In good spirits throughout and tried to intimidate and rile the Boston players up! All in good spirits though.
- The Ground: 6.5/10 – Pretty good! Very spacious which gives them room for improvement should they progress. A nice stand and terrace behind the goal all in all. I think it would probably look better in the daytime with the power plant behind it who knows?
- Expense: 10/10 – £6 to get in and £3 for a pin badge, was it worth it? Definitely!
- Overall Experience: 9/10 – Really enjoyed tonight with Match Days Joe and Vinny and for entertainment value that was brilliant!
29.5/40