Jez Ashberry reports from Debdale Park
Boston Town’s title hopes suffered a setback as they lost a league match for the first time since October.
Sherwood Colliery’s win meant they leapfrogged the Poachers to go top of the United Counties League Premier North table.
After going 2-0 down in a rain-drenched second half, the visitors threatened to pull off a sensational last-gasp comeback.
Debutant Shaun Archer pulled one back in the 89th minute and there were loud appeals for a penalty in stoppage time when Harry Limb appeared to be hauled down. Steve Davies’s photos seemed to confirm that sub Finlay Armond had a big chunk of the Boston striker’s shirt as he went down in the penalty area – but referee Oliver Thornhill was unmoved.
It was cat and mouse stuff for much of the first half of this much-anticipated clash of the top two. The hosts enjoyed more of the play and had spells where they passed the ball fluently on the artificial surface – but the visitors also had their chances. Limb shot over from distance early on and Zak Munton spurned a good chance by shooting wide from Matt Cotton’s cross.
Alexander Duhameau’s header gave Sherwood the lead after 38 minutes and although Munton flicked a header just wide from a Gurney cross on the stroke of half-time, the home side went into the interval with a precious 1-0 lead.
After a largely cagey first 45 minutes, things opened up after the break. The Poachers started to create more chances as the game ticked past the hour mark. Kallum Smith shot wide from distance and Cotton hit an effort over the bar after being set up by Leo Priestley.
But Sherwood, champions two years ago, continued to show their own title credentials as they dominated possession at times. A penalty awarded after 75 minutes for handball was a hammer blow for the visitors, Kieran Knight duly converting the spot-kick.
Chris Funnell threw on Jordan Nuttell and Ted Gibbons for Zak Munton and Kallum Smith for the final 10 minutes and the changes paid dividends with a minute left of normal time. The lifeline came from midfielder Archer, signed from Blackstones this week after playing a big part in Bourne’s historic promotion campaign last season.
Boston Town officials were adamant that Limb was fouled in injury time but the referee waved away penalty appeals and Sherwood were able to see the game out for the victory.
On Saturday (7 February), the Poachers are away at struggling Heanor Town. Kick-off is 3pm.
Town: Portas, Bayliss, Smith (Gibbons), Archer, Ford, Wilson, Munton (Nuttell), Priestley, Gurney, Limb Cotton; unused subs: Henderson, Hudson
Boston Town FC 