Jez Ashberry reports from the Mortgages For You Stadium
Boston Town guaranteed they’ll be top of the table at Christmas thanks to an important derby win.
After an uneventful opening half hour, Zak Munton gave the hosts the lead when a long kick from Travis Portas was helped on by Matt Cotton. The former Bourne man found space in the box and fired into the corner. Deeping keeper Aaron Butcher got a hand on it but couldn’t keep it out.
The Poachers then had chances to extend their lead before the break as they grew into the game following a slow start. Layton Maddison became more influential and linked up nicely with Leo Priestley in midfield. Munton had the ball in the net again after 41 minutes but referee Jake Bloom had already blown for a foul.
In first half stoppage time, Munton scooped an effort just over the bar after a Richard Ford long throw was flicked on by Cotton.
At the interval, Boston Town deservedly led after 45 minutes in which they had had more possession in Deeping’s half. The visitors had looked combative and organised but offered little going forward.
Chris Funnell re-jigged his forward when Harry Limb replaced Fraser Bayliss after 55 minutes and Jordan Nuttell came on for Priestley seven minutes later.
Limb almost made an instant impact when he pounced on a mix-up in the Deeping defence after 66 minutes but lifted it over the bar.
But three minutes later, the Poachers gave themselves some breathing space when Kallum Smith’s corner evaded Nuttell but Luke Wilson smashed it home at the far post.
After 85 minutes, Limb had another chance to break his recent scoring drought but his downward header from Jack Gurney’s cross was comfortably saved.
Deeping rallied at the end as the home side’s substitutions seemed to disrupt their rhythm, but there was still time for Pierce Hudson to come close in injury time when his effort from Limb’s pass hit the side netting.
Boston Town remain four points clear of Sherwood Colliery, who have three games in hand. The Poachers now have three away games in a row, starting at Grantham Town on Saturday (20 December), kick-off 3pm.
On Saturday 27 December, they are away at Skegness Town. Kick-off that day is at the earlier time of 1pm. The Poachers then travel to Clay Cross on Saturday 3 January. Kick-off will be 3pm.
Town: Portas, Gibbons, Smith, Burdass (Tate), Ford, Wilson, Bayliss (Limb), Priestley (Nuttell), Maddison, Munton (Gurney), Cotton (Hudson)
Boston Town FC 