SATURDAY 10th NOVEMBER 2007

BOSTON UNITED 5 v 1 VAUXHALL MOTORS

BLUE SQUARE NORTH

Already forced into three changes from the previous week, with Mike Garrity and Peter Heler suspended and Shaun Kelly recalled back to Chester City, Vauxhall manager Andy Mutch lost on-loan keeper Andrew Murphy the night before this long trek across country to face full-time Boston United – yet they enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges. 

The lively Paul Taylor almost opened the scoring early on, when he turned his marker before unleashing a thunderous shot which was tipped over by Boston keeper Lee Crockett, before the same Motors player struck a shot against an upright from the edge of the area, following a flick on by Anthony Wright from deputy keeper Steve Longrigg’s long punt upfield.

But on 23 minutes, the hosts took the lead when Ashley Nicholls headed home from close range when the Motors defence failed to deal with a teasing cross.  Six minutes later though, the visitors hit back, when good work by Taylor helped play in Tom Field for the equaliser, the midfielder firing home from six yards.  However, they joy was short-lived as Boston regained the lead just four minutes after that, when Jon Rowan headed home unchallenged against a flat-footed rearguard.

And right on 45, Jon Stephenson extended United’s lead from the penalty spot, following a foul in the area.  Motors began the second half on the back foot, by then three superb saves by Crockett kept out two fine efforts from Taylor and one from substitute Dave Roberts from 20 yards.  At the other end, Motors keeper Longrigg made two decent saves to keep United at bay.

The ninety minutes were up when the Pilgrims went 4-1 up as Jon Froggatt ended a neat move and deep into injury time, Nicholls struck his second to give the hosts a flattering scoreline.

Vauxhall: Longrigg, Brannan, Dames (Johnson 50), Field, Marsh-Evans, Hotte, Holmes, Smith (Clarke 72), Reed, Wright (Roberts 50), Taylor.  Sub not used: Egerton, Wignall.