Boston 1 Grimsby 1

By: Rob Salt
Date: 24/09/2005

AFTER the likes of seeing Premiership players Defoe and Keane up front for Spurs on Tuesday night, it was time for two ex-Premiership strikers in the form of Joachim and Whelan in attack for Boston.

Town kicked off with two changes to the side that faced Spurs: Andy Parkinson and Gary Jones were on the bench, meaning Tom Newey coming in on the left wing and Martin Gritton in attack alongside Michael Reddy.

Town thought they had gone ahead early in the game but Martin Gritton's half volley into the roof of the net was ruled out for a dubious offside.

The first few minutes were scrappy with neither team creating any chances. Then after a fine through ball from Kalala Reddy was through into the Boston box with only the 'keeper to beat, but was fouled from behind. The ref had no choice other than a red card for the Boston defender and Kalala scored from the resulting penalty spot kick, shooting straight down the middle of the goal.

After that Town were in control and should have extended their lead, without really creating too many chances. For Boston they seemed to be trying to use Joachim's pace but Jones and Whittle were always reading what he was doing.

Gary Cohen had a clear header from a corner go wide just before half time, and as the half time whistle blew Whittle and Whelan went off together exchanging words and a few shoves.

In the second half Boston came straight at Town and had a succession of corners in the early stages which was dealt with by Town. Boston seemed to be more up for the second half than Town and considering we had an extra man it did not seem to show.

Mildenhall had to make two excellent saves in the second half, one from a long range shot which he pushed around the post and one from a free kick that he tipped over the bar.

Town were not without their chances either: Gritton had an excellent shot parried by the Boston 'keeper with sub Andy Parkinson (on for Croft with Newey going to left back) unable to reach the rebound. Michael Reddy also had a good chance in the box but dwelled on his shot too long and the chance was gone.

Sub Andy Parkinson almost secured the win late for Town but his fantastic 30 yard curling effort hit the bar.

The feeling among the fans was that Boston were going to snatch a goal and they did in the 90th min. Joachim reacting quickly to a lofted ball in to hammer in the roof of the net, similar to Martin Gritton's disallowed early goal.

Then with almost the last kick of the ball Reddy played a quick free kick to Bolland whose curled effort went just wide of the Boston goal, with Gritton looking for a square ball to tap into an empty net.

Overall most Town fans would have taken a point based on our derby games' luck from last season. However with Boston playing with 10 men for most of the game and Town taking an early lead you can't help but feel it was two points lost.

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