Pilgrims sail into Next Round

Report by David Robinson. Pic Jez Sayle

Visitors Boston moved into the First Round proper of the FA Trophy with a consummate win at Hurst Cross which saw them 4 goals to the good by half time. The sides had played out a 1-1 draw in the league just 3 weeks previously and Ashton gave a start to Ryan Crowther on his comeback from long-term injury but the Pilgrims showed their intent from the start as Mark Lees needed to help Max Wright’s cross over the bar after Gavin Allott had robbed Sam Sheridan.
With just 5 minutes gone Allott’s knock down was collected by Wright who progressed on to his left foot before steering his effort home. Allott’s persistence then saw him beat Aaron Chalmers with Luke Ashworth across to block but after 18 minutes Nicky Walker followed a through ball into the area which allowed him to flick his shot past Luke Pilling and just before the half hour Ben Davies’ deep cross was headed back by Allott and converted from close in by Walker. Four minutes later it was 4-0 as Wright made a great run through midfield and provided a left foot finish under Pilling and Bradley Jackson putting Ryan Crowther’s pass way over the top summed up Ashton’s half.

The Robins made a couple of changes at the interval and Jackson started the second half by glancing Sam Sheridan’s cross just past the far post and Liam Martin then forced a sharp save out of George Willis. Allott then got himself on the score sheet heading home Ashley Jackson’s left wing cross and Bradley Jackson’s snapshot went wide from Liam Tomsett’s layoff. Ashworth then needed to head out a dangerous cross from Wright at the by line and sub Ramirez Howarth just failed to collect Lees’ ball into the area.
Matters could have got even worse for the hosts as Davies curled a free kick against the crossbar after Lees had fouled Wright and Pilling made a good save from Slew’s effort after a 1-2 and Ashton were denied even a consolation at Tomsett turned onto Martin’s pass but saw his shot deflect over off Willis.

Team: Pilling, Lees, Hill (Kay 46), Ashworth, Chalmers, Sheridan (Roberts 57), Jackson, Regan, Martin, Tomsett, Crowther (Howarth 46). SNU: Anghel, Hendes.