Match Preview

And here it is - the first match of an always eagerly anticipated new season is upon us and Oadby travel to Lincolnshire to face Boston Town.

Pre-season has been a mixed bag, but some good results against Corby Town and a thrashing of Lutterworth Athletic were certainly the highlights (although Adam Hart's tweeted shower pic from his holiday night feature in some people's top moments).

oston Town were established as Boston F.C. in 1964 by former officials of Boston United who were concerned that United's financial problems would force them to fold. The club initially played at the Mayflower Sports Ground for a few months, before moving to their current Tattershall Road ground. They joined the Lincolnshire League, winning it in their first season. They moved to the Central Alliance the following season, which they also won, without losing a match. In 1966 they joined the Eastern Counties League. As the club were on the northern edge of the league's geographical boundary, they resigned and instead joined the Midland League in 1968.

They won the Midland League in 1974–75, and in 1976–77 reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first (and to date only) time in their history, losing 3–1 at Barnsley. They won the league again in 1979–80 and 1980–81, and in 1982 became members of the Northern Counties East Football League when the Midland League merged with the Yorkshire League. After finishing bottom in 1986–87 they dropped into the Supreme Division of the Central Midlands League. They won the CML in 1988–89, and, despite only finishing ninth in 1990–91, were accepted into the Premier Division of the United Counties League. In 1993–94 they reached the semi-finals of the FA Vase, but lost 2–0 on aggregate to Taunton Town. In 1994 they were renamed Boston Town and won the league in their first season under their new name. They won the UCL for a second time in 2000–01. They won the UCL League Cup in 2003–04 and again in 2006–07.

Boston have strengthened over the Summer, bring in local talent from the likes of Bourne, Deeping and Wisbech. Have also made use of their large Eastern European population in the town with the signing of Latvian Aris Placis (although he is suspended for this fixture).

Oadby are certainly a stronger side beginning this season than they were at the end of the last, with the likes of Ryan Seal joining the Poachers and return of both Joe Latham and Rob Morgan.

Kick-off: 3pm

Match Officials: Danny OSullivan, Thomas Beeton and Charles Keats

Away from this fixture, the U18s are at home in a friendly against Stratford Town at Freeway at 11am, so fans are able to make both games to have a real day of football.