In all honesty, I still don’t know how to explain the ending to that game. Blyth were genuinely brilliant again for the vast majority of the game and looked really comfortable in defence. Alas, we still ended up walking away with nothing.
Landing in Boston after a sober journey, it was straight to the packed out Ellenders for a pint of Spanish Carling (Madri) which was almost unbearable, especially at £4.80. We then dipped over to the away end for a can of Carling and some scran. As ever, the bait at Boston United is class. It’s not like they do anything that special in all honesty, though I suppose they do cook the bait properly and don’t buy cheap 30p burgers from ASDA like so many places do.
Spartans lined up with the same team played on Monday, as expected with the same system. The only change of course was the return of Alex Mitchell in place of Langley, who’s on trial at Hamilton according to Parker.
The lads started off really well, with Dev’s and McGowan making some decent runs into the box to cause trouble for Boston. We almost got off to a dream start as Dev’s free kick from about 20 yards cannoned off the wall and nearly fell to a Blyth player in the box.
As the half went on Spartans looked really comfortable, with both Rhys and Lid’s causing bother down both wings and linking up with Main, Dev’s and McGowan but clear-cut guilt edged chances weren’t quite being created. Defensively it was almost easy for Spartans, with FCD especially in total control as he bullied the likes of Mooney and Knowles about during the first half.
Just 25 min’s in though Spartans were forced to make a change, as Dev’s had pulled up earlier on. Despite playing on and doing well for the next 5 min’s or so, he was obviously replaced for Harry Arnison, who would a good game.
Straight after the sub though it was a penalty for Blyth! As Will worked the ball into the box and was bounced off the ball by a defender. Without Dev’s on the pitch, it was Cedric who stepped up to tuck the ball away in the corner to make it 1-0 Blyth.
The rest of the half went by without any real talking points, though both Hickey and Main did have chances that were gathered by the keeper.
As half time struck we treated onto the concourse for a beer, only to be serenaded by some ‘geet belta tunes’ by the PA system. FairPlay to the DJ at Boston, sticker for you. Though the bog’s in that away end clearly aren’t cleaned very often, as Rhys’ sticker from last season was still in the shitter. So, effectively people having been shitting on his face for a year.
As the second half got underway both teams were flying out the traps on the attack, with Arnison and Hickey both having shots for Spartans and Knowles getting close for Boston but FCD was able to deal with him and clear the ball away.
As the half went on, Boston began to make some chances that didn’t quite work for them at first, as Rhys and Lids caused Boston all sorts of bother. With both Hickey and McGowan going close with shots late on, it seemed like Spartans we’re about to get their first ever away win at Boston, though as the last 15 mins of normal time went on Boston pilled the pressure on, with balls into the the box from both flanks and the middle of the pitch that the Spartans defence were able to bat away.
But it was the pressure finally cracked the Spartans defence as a through ball out to the right flank was swung in low and found star forward Kelsey Mooney, who got a foot on it but the ball seemingly ended up taking a deflection of a Blyth defender, diverting it past Alex Mitchell. You could argue that Boston deserved that for their second half performance, but up until this point we’d defended so well all day long, the lads more than earned the 3 points.
From the kick off though Spartans did blast forward and try and snatch the lead back. Of course, without attacking options we struggled to find a genuine chance to get a shot away at goal until Rhys broke down the right flank, cut in to get a shot away which almost deflected in for a goal.
Of course though it would be Boston who broke next, with Michael Gyasi latching onto the end of a through ball in a 2 on 1 situation to fire the ball just past Alex Mitchell. A truly heartbreaking moment for everyone. Spartans did press onto and bring the game back, but Boston would break again down the right flank as the winger was pushed to the byline by Bod’s but was somehow able to keep the movement alive, dribble it into the 6-yard box and play in Kelsey Mooney who easily tapped home and wrapped up the game for Boston. In fairness to Boston, they were stumped by our defence for most of the game but when they got those chances at the end, they were absolutely ruthless.
After the game, the lads came over to the away end and looked truly dejected. The result and circumstances behind it clearly hurt them and meant as much to them as did us. Over the last few years at Blyth, that probably hasn’t always been the case with some of the lads we’ve had don the shirt. So it’s good in a sense to see just how much this group of lads care about the football club and each other.
Upon leaving the ground we were met by a fair few Boston fans, who often commented the usual jazz such as “Ohh you’re the best team we’ve played this season” and “We’ve robbed you there!”. Of course, we did pass a few dickheads but for the most part the locals were canny. After a quick double gin in the clubhouse for 9 PUND FUCKING 50… it was time for the off, though this time with some of Italy’s finest lager. The journey home was a breeze compared to last weeks trip to Buxton, and I was mostly cheered up by reading Darlington’s twitter feed and looking at Virtual Feethams, which was genuinely comedy gold.
After getting home I went over to the terrace clurb to catch the boxing and have a drink with the lads, though I half regret that given the state of some who’d been in there all day long.
Thankfully though, we have the opportunity to put things right on Tuesday night. I would certainly expect some sort of reaction after yesterday, as the lads will no doubt go into it with a bit of fire in them, determined to put things right after the final 5 min’s at Boston.
#HowayBlyth