There was excitement and apprehension in the air as the usual suspects gathered on a wet and dreary Saturday morning for our 114-mile journey south-east. The excitement related to the first opportunity in years to visit a new ground, whilst the apprehension was something even more sinister. Would the Boston constabulary Cold Case Review team still have an active inquiry?
It was back in the 1970’s so the confession began, all that remains now is a derelict and decaying farmhouse, a once prosperous business long since bankrupt. It was early autumn, and a group of friends were on a day out, they had spent the day shopping and sightseeing in one of the many picturesque Lincolnshire villages. It was on the way home that the dastardly deed took place, a stop in a layby soon turned into the great cauliflower heist. The Stainland Bus Driver says she regrets it now, “They were just there”, she explained, “growing in a field next to us. We pinched one each, and we were off”. Shocking, truly shocking!!! Tesco Pete was all ears, carefully and discreetly researching Crimestoppers rewards as the story continued.
There was pandemonium in the chippy as we stopped for lunch. With hundreds of cans of drink in the fridge to choose from, Tesco Pete decided to pick the one that was about to explode. Unfortunately, the side of the can with the hole in was facing away from him, so instead of putting his finger over the fine spray of fizzy pop and solving the problem, he sprayed a retired couple enjoying a quiet lunch together. It was in her hair, and on his newspaper, the shrieking was deafening. Then out came the mop, the apologies and finally the laughter, well the laughter may have come first, if I’m honest.
Boston’s new ground sits about two miles from the town centre. The four white curved floodlight poles with a sparse ring of LED lights stand proud against the nearby fields. The main stand runs the full length of the pitch with yellow and black seats containing giant letters of the club’s name. Above are a number of corporate boxes and facilities. Behind one goal the home fans have a covered terrace, whilst the opposite end is just a metal fence, guarding an open area for a future stand. The 188 travelling Shaymen were given half the terracing opposite the main stand. In all the capacity is around 6000. It’s tidy and functional, perhaps like much of Fylde’s new ground.
The first half started with a bang. Any latecomers would have missed the action, a goal for the Shaymen within the first minute. To be fair, the goal was entirely with the run of play, the entertaining Oluwabori took them all on from near the corner flag and managed to hit the back of the net with a low shot and a handy slight deflection. Boston had a good chance to equalise soon after from a free kick, but they headed it wide from just a few yards out.
The second half will be remembered for some serious defending, including one off the line when Boston had rounded the keeper. There was a decent save onto the post and one or two blocks from a committed team. At our end, the keeper didn’t really have too much to do but the Shaymen took every opportunity to keep possession and try to control the game. In truth we were delighted with the final whistle and three well-earned points.
Driving back as the sun set across the open Lincolnshire farmland, the Positive Shayman kept a lookout one way and Tesco Pete the other. The local police were no where to be seen. The Stainland Bus Driver feels better after sharing her story in complete confidence, everyone’s a winner. Next up it’s Rochdale and another three points?
Miles on the road: 2208. Goals on the road: 7. Points on the road: 11.
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