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Boston United: Report

Posted by Kelly Gilchrist
Posted on Sat 4 Mar 2017
Posted in First Team

It was a frustrating afternoon for FC Halifax Town, as they were held to a goalless draw by Boston United. Mattyโ€™s Kosylo and Brown had the best chances of the game for the home side, who struggled to find the crucial cutting edge against their opponents.

The visitors started brightly and could have taken the lead in the opening minute when former Town loanee Alex Simmons had his dipping effort deflected onto the roof of the net a corner, after good work down the right wing.

With little action, it was a battle of the midfields as both sides began looking to venture down the wings. Town were capitalising on sloppy play from their Lincolnshire opponents, but it was still Boston who were applying the early pressure. Josh Robinson fired wide from the edge of the box.

It took 20 minutes for Town to register their first meaningful chance, and it was the best of the game so far as Matty Kosylo forced a save from Boston keeper Ross Durrant from his 25-yard free kick.

Boston didnโ€™t look like a side struggling for form, and they continued to have the better of the play from dead balls, but they couldnโ€™t take advantage of a free kick on the edge of the area as Simmons fired over.

The tie started to become a frustrating one for the Shaymen as the ref let contentious challenges from the visitors go unpunished. A lack of any real quality meant the tie was yet to get going, almost half an hour in. Simmons again had the next chance, but his curling effort was straight into the hands of Sam Johnson.

Kosylo was to test the fingertips of Durrant again, as his free kick on the very edge of the area was well saved. This was about as exciting as the half would get, as the sides went into the break goalless.

With change needed at the break, manager Billy Heath introduced Tom Denton to the action at the start of the second half, in the place of Adam Morgan.

Much like the first period, it was Boston who were having the best of the play, as a sluggish Town struggled to get going.

Townโ€™s lacks of cutting edge was making the away side more confident but were unable to punish their hosts when breakaway move from the away side saw Colby Bishop through on goal, but an excellent challenge from Matty Brown allowed Johnson to gather easily. It was a let off for Town.

Kosylo was the stand out performer for the Shaymen. His long range shot was deflected away for a corner, before the inswinging ball was cleared by Boston, but ultimately it was still very much a game lacking any action.

Against the run of play, Town looked to have been awarded a penalty as Richie Peniket broke free before tussling with a Boston defender, but an astounding call from the referee saw the striker penalised and the away side awarded a free kick, much to the dismay of Heathโ€™s men.

Town were edging their way into the game and Peniket caused problems in the box again, but good work from Durrant and his defender saw the ball cleared away to the relief of Boston manager Adam Murray.

It was fast becoming an end to end contest, as a loose ball wasnโ€™t reacted to by the Town defence allowing Boston a chance at goal, but a crowded penalty area meant the ball was deflected wide.

Jordan Sinnott was brought on by Heath to bring some fresh legs into the contest that was creeping closer towards a stalemate by the minute, but the sub was to have a big impact only seconds after coming on as his free kick connected with the head of Brown. Durrant was forced into a reaction save to clear the ball away.

Kosylo was the standout performer for Town, and he was to have his third big chance of the game as the ball found his feet on the edge of the area, before he smashed it narrowly over the bar.

There was late stoppage time charge from Town as everything but the proverbial kitchen sink was thrown at the Pilgrims back line, but they were unable to find a way through. It certainly wasnโ€™t a classic at the Shay, as the ref called time on a frustrating afternoon.

Halifax Town XI: Johnson, Roberts ยฉ, Brown, Garner, Wilde (Moyo), Lynch, Kosylo, King, Peniket, Morgan (Denton), Clarke (Sinnott).

Subs: Drench, Hotte.

Boston XI: Durrant, Thomas, Yeomans, Vince, Batchelor, Robinson, Chapman, Gordon, Simmons, Bishop (Marshall), Hilliard (Chippendale).

Subs: Clarke, Fitzpatrick, Maguire.

Referee: Mr D McNamara

Attendance: 1752

 

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