Planet Swans ArchivesThe game was given the go ahead after a pitch inspection. Much has been said about the pitch in the past, well it was very sandy, had no life in it and the ball didn’t run smoothly. It’s the same for both teams but it must give Boston a slight advantage as at least they know how it performs. With the team still struggling with injuries and Gueret missing the game through suspension the team lined up. Murphy Ricketts, Monk, Iriekpen, Austin Forbes, Gurney, Britton, Anderson Trundle and Connor SUBS Fisken, Corbisiero, Pritchard, Tate, Robinson. The pre-match warm up saw Tate practice some time in goal. As we had no keeper on the bench, it would be Tate that would have taken over if there was a problem with Murphy.
As far as we were concerned the first half was instantly forgettable as the team looked very lethargic and struggled to raise their game. In fact the first 15mins was very poor although there were some half-hearted attempts from both sides. Then came the Boston goal when a corner was headed to the edge of the area where Kirk swung a boot sending the goal just inside Murphy’s right hand post. At this stage Boston deserved the lead as Both Trundle and Connor suffered through poor service. It was a scrappy affair with Boston on top but not troubling Murphy who after a bit of a shaky start grew in confidence. On the half hour mark a corner from our right went across the area finding Connor on the left corner of the penalty area. He sent in a blistering half volley which clipped the top of the bar. That was as much excitement Swans fans had apart from an attempt from Britton which went well wide. The rest of the half was much ‘huff and puff’ with Boston with slightly the upper hand. Half Time saw Robinson replace Anderson.
The second half again saw the Swans slow to start and Boston went straight for the jugular. It was a very worrying 5mins as we struggled to clear our lines. Murphy pulling off an excellent diving save from Noble.
The game turned as Robinson put a slide rule pass through to Trundle on the left side of goal at the edge of the area. Trundle took two steps and sent the ball past the keeper into the right corner of the goal. Maybe a goal that was against the run of play, but it was a goal that was needed as the Swans now took control for the first time in the game.
For the next 10mins it was all Swans with Trundle having a couple of half chances. On the hour mark we took the lead. A cross from Connor was headed back into the six-yard box by Trundle for Robinson to turn the ball inside the post. With the Swans looking stronger and with Boston heads seemed to drop it looked as if there was only one winner. We nearly gifted Boston an equaliser, when Austin chested a ball back to Murphy who had to dive to his right to save a certain own goal.
Boston made a double substitution which saw the game swing in their favour as we again came under pressure. With 20mins to go Tate replaced Forbes. Within 5mins of us going ahead Boston made it 2-2 when a cross from their left saw Rusk put in a glancing header inside the six yard box. The match was now anybody’s as the game opened up, maybe due to the sapping condition of the pitch. Trundle and Connor went close but both from very tight angles. Gurney also set himself up nicely on the edge of the box, but his left foot shot went well wide. Murphy was also kept busy as Boston put in long range efforts from outside the area. With the game looking to end all square Trundle turned a Boston in true Trundle style a couple of feet inside the area and went down. A debatable decision, there did seem to be contact but whether worthy of a penalty, but the ref had no hesitation and pointed to the spot. Trundle sent the ball to the right with the keeper diving the other way. 3-2 with only 3 minutes of added time to play which proved uneventful.
Players Comments Murphy – Shaky start, but kept us in the game with three excellent saves. Grew stronger as the game went on. Still quiet and tends to stay in his six yard box although did come out twice as sweeper to tidy things up. Ricketts – Not much seen as an attacking force as he was kept busy against a very lively winger Monk – Solid partnership with Iriekpen Iriekpen – As above Austin – struggled for most of the game against pace. Centre defence is a better option than on the left. Forbes – A very quiet game, and never really got involved. Gurney- A fair game but again shows that he was being played out of position. Britton – Good involvement breaking up attacks but struggled after crossing the half way line. Anderson – Not in the game and was sub’d at half time. Trundle- Kept trying his magic but on an uneven pitch close control was not the best option. Took his goal well and cool for the penalty. Connor – Suffered from poor supply. Robinson – Did improve the team. His reaction after the goal (Kicking the hoarding behind the goal) shows a very frustrated player. Tate – Caught for pace a couple of times, but cleared danger on a few occasions. Overall View. A very poor ref for both sides, but seemed a homer (apart from the pen) About 250 travelling fans At the end of the season, we might look back at this game and result. The first half Boston deserved their lead. We battled back into the game and deservedly went 2-1 ahead. Again we sat back and conceded a sloppy goal. With a draw looking a fair result we’ll take the pen and the three points. What we can’t forget is that we still have players out injured. The platform to go forward is still there, alive and kicking
REPORT: CLIVE AND GARETH HUGHES
