20 November 2006
Boston Town Reserves 1 v 2 United Reserves (aet)
By Damian Froggatt
The home side started brightly and were determined not to allow United time to settle, although Phil McGann only had to deal with a couple of long range efforts. Unfortunately Tom Myatt was injured in the opening minutes and was
replaced by Kallum Smith wide on the left as United struggled to come to terms with Town's determination to win every ball. However the Whites gradually started to find space in midfield through George Zeurner - on his
return from injury - and Glen Atkinson. Jake Keyworth, also making his first start for several games, made several dangerous runs into Town's box and United began to press Town back with a number of setpieces and corners.
Lowman and Malachy both saw efforts fly over the bar as the half closed with United clearly on top.
The second period saw long periods of Town pressure as once again United failed to find any tempo and struggled to defend against Boston's more direct style. Bell, who was a danger all afternoon, then broke clear on the hour mark to drive home past McGann and put the home side in front. This finally sparked United into life, although Cook in Boston's goal was rarely forced to make a save. United introduced James Brown and Alex Knibbs as they
piled on the pressure, Keyworth and Smith both running at Town's defence. It appeared not top be United's day until good link up play between Knibbs and Malachy allowed to Keyworth to latch onto the loose ball and cut inside. His
left foot strike found the bottom corner to give United's youngsters the reward for their determination to get back into the game and send the quarter final into extra time.
United now found another gear and were clearly the fitter side. Malachy and Knibbs were linking brilliantly and Atkinson, whose energy and drive had lifted United all afternoon, ran onto a brilliant pass from Malachy but Cook
was quick off his line. At the other end, Bell had another great chance but he shot wide. With only 10 minutes left Lowman found himself in space in the Boston box, and his clever cut back was turned home by Malachy to put the
visitors in front. Knibbs could have sealed the victory late on but he shot straight at Cook and United held on for a tremendously hard fought victory.
Goals - Keyworth, Malachy
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