National League North
Tuesday 26th October 2021
Kick Off 19.45 Actual 19.44
Boston United 2 York City 1, attendance 2,018 (220 in away end)
10’ 1-0 (pen)
17’ 1-1
83’ 2-1 (pen)
@ The Jakemans Community Stadium
Pilgrim Way
Wyberton
PE21 7NE
£14 Admission (contactless card payment at turnstile)
Programme available, didn’t bother buying as £3 is scandalous for tier 2 non-League.
When it comes to non-League grounds, as far as I’m concerned, there will never be one to beat Boston United’s former York Street home. It was (still is, as it’s still there, currently used by a Sunday league team) superb, right down to the four corner floodlights. I first went there on 13th January 1990, seeing them draw 0-0 versus fellow Conference club Macclesfield Town, in an F.A. Trophy 1st Round match in front of 1,924 spectators. By the time I made my second visit, on 19th March 2003, they were a Football League Division 3 (4th level) club. They beat Darlington 1-0 that night in front of a 2,186 crowd.
This season has seen them move into their new stadium, built to the south of Boston, just off the A16, in the village of Wyberton. It is very impressive for a club playing at the second level of the football pyramid, but will look better once they build a stand at the south end of the stadium, as the ground is currently three sided. Tickets were on sale at the stadium, where it was cash sales only in the club shop, or the much more convenient contactless card payment at the turnstiles. Car parking is not available on site to the casual visitor, but there is free parking in the new housing estate on the other side of the A16 from the stadium, maybe a five minute walk away. The whole feel to the night had ‘Football League’ written all over it. It helped that York City are also an ex-League club. They also have a new ground this season, so a trip there beckons.
The two clubs came into this separated only by goal difference, as 8th hosted 7th in the league table, the visitors occupying the final place for the promotion play offs. Boston went ahead with a penalty after ten minutes, but York were level seven minutes later, a long throw flicked on and volleyed in at the far post. It was still 1-1 at the break. It looked more likely that if there was to be a winner, then it would be the visitors that would get it, as they made the better chances in the second half. Having created very little, against the run of play, Boston won it when they scored their second penalty of the night late on.
Tonight’s crowd was the biggest so far at the new stadium, but with tonight’s win lifting them up to fifth in the table, it won’t be long before that figure is beaten.
