Boston United 0-0 Barnet (National League)
A fortnight ago, during my last visit to South East Lincolnshire, Boston beat Barnet’s National League title rivals York City at the Jakemans Stadium, another tough test awaits though as Dean Brennan’s Bees are top of the table unbeaten in fifteen whilst since Graham Coughlan has taken over from Ian Culverhouse the Pilgrims have picked up in performances, if not hugely in points total.
Word is the 72 National League clubs including north and south have asked for three up three down into the Football League. I’ve voiced my opinion on it as not so sure, whilst the concept is perhaps deserving, I like the fact that non-league football is harder to get out of, and the Football League has that bit of protection for its members, but with thirteen of the fifth tiers 24 teams having played in the Football League previously, you do feel with increased professionalism the bridge is now less, but even last year when Gateshead were omitted from the playoffs for not having the appropriate lease on their ground, there will be similar teething issues with a further place to go up, and I doubt the 72 Football League clubs would all vote in favour of losing an extra place.
That shouldn’t affect Boston this year, who are well down in the relegation places and fighting just to stay in step one, although should Barnet go up they might kick themselves should they finish 22nd in League Two next season, although club Chairman Tony Kleanthous says “it’s the price we are willing to pay”.
It’s 12:30pm, the skies are grey of drizzle and I’m out the door heading East, through Grantham and across the fields of the A52, my usual quaint, quiet and very flat green root towards Boston, where I arrive whilst listening into Leyton Orient v Manchester City on the radio. It’s 1-0 to the O’s and Jamie Donley has just scored from near the halfway line.
The Venue
I’m walking across Wallace Way past Starbucks and Costa towards the ticket office at the Jakemans Stadium, the club shop full of winter wear I do take a shine to the Boston bobble hat but despite covering the club on numerous occasions in recent years, I still must show a level of impartiality, despite really liking the stadium, really liking the club, it’s hard not to feel so at home when the place now feels like a second home.
Through the turnstile and under the concourse I’m watching Orient v City which is now 1-1, Pep has just brought Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden on so I leave it there, pretty sure in the know what is about to become.
I’m upstairs and at my seat in the media area, a lad from Southend introduces himself before asking for the WIFI code, he tells me “it took 2 and a half hours” to get to Boston, I ask Christian the PA man at the Jakemans to tell me his predictions today and he says “6-1 Barnet” as optimistic as ever, but when you look through the Bees attacking line up you do feel they’ll be goals to come.
I’m joined by a couple of scouts whilst Radio Lincolnshire have former Pilgrim Gareth Jelleyman on co-comms, the teams walking out to a pretty full feeling arena, three sided of course, the stand I’m in all seated, the one opposite and to my left for standing.
The Game
Barnet wearing purple and white are popping the ball around with ease, similar to York a couple of weeks back, they play good football, have composure, have talent out wide, up front in Lee Ndluvo they have a serious centre forward.
The game has not really got going, the atmosphere is stagnant and despite the possession stats, Barnet don’t really penetrate the Pilgrims defence, led by Zak Mills as a makeshift centre half, he’s playing with some swagger and enjoying himself in his newfound position.
Not much action to speak of before a heavy tackle out of nothing on 41 changes the games dynamics, Daniele Collinge takes out Oisin Gallagher on half way, he’s shown red before Gallagher hobbles off, Barnet down to ten and suddenly Boston have a man advantage and a serious chance of getting something from the game.
The Score
A bit of pressure from the home side results in Connor Teale clipping a deflected effort off the top of the crossbar on the stroke of half time, suddenly tails up, Boston are the more dominant force and the one with attacking intentions to take the game to the opposition.
The second half is very much home side pushing, but credit Barnet, league leaders for a reason, they settle in shape and make it difficult to surpass, if anything you feel they could go on and nick it, but despite the odd half chance in both areas, the game is severely lacking a bit of final quality, by the later stages Boston are still knocking, and a late peppering during seven minutes added gives Dean Brennan incentive to concede for a point, he takes striker Ndluvo off for Joe Grimwood as Barnet look to keep their clean sheet in tact, in the end a point each is perhaps pleasing considering the scenario, Barnet happy not to lose reduced to ten for so long, Boston, another point against strong opponents, states that they are heading in the right direction.
The Stars
Barnet defended well and in South African born centre half Nikola Tavares they have a very cultured defender who is easy on the eye, he was partnered by Adebola Olowu following Collinge’s red card, Olowu aerially very good and aggressive, whilst in midfield the likes of Anthony Hartigan and Mark Shelton, solid players for the level, also put a shift in.
It wasn’t a day for the attackers but Idris Kanu out wide right caused problems with pace, Ryan Glover on the left was useful, neat in possession, whilst Ndlovu always a threat, was in the end marshalled well by the Boston defence.
Boston have Cameron Gregory back, who despite a couple of nervy moments with his feet, is a solid, reliable, dependable goalkeeper for the level, in front of him, Connor Teale and Zak Mills are forging a decent partnership, whilst Jai Rowe and Cameron Green have certainly improved over the course of the season in the full back positions.
Not much in the way of going forward for Boston, Dylan Hill as always putting in a shift from midfield, whilst James Gale had a chance when breaking late on, I like his galloping forward and rangy leggy look, but instead of shooting when he had the chance, he took an extra touch and tried to force a foul, which in the end led to him getting booked for his trouble.
The Verdict
Barnet have a three way race with York and Forest Green to go up, I’ve seen them all this season and probably like Forest Green the most, but Barnet importantly have the points in the bag right now.
Remember despite the leagues request for an extra promotion place, only two out of three will go up this season, so no prizes for second, unless through the playoffs.
Boston are now nine points from safety but with a couple of games in hand on those above, the great escape still seems a way off, but the side will have confidence where especially at home, in recent weeks they’ve been able to mix it with the best.
The Teams
Boston United: Cameron Gregory, Jai Rowe, Zak Mills, Connor Teale, Cameron Green, Martin Woods (James Gale 80), Tony Weston (Jacob Hazel 62), Dylan Hill, Oisin Gallagher (Jordan Richards 45), Keaton Ward (Kieran Coates 80), Jimmy Knowles (Adam Marriott 86).
Barnet: Owen Evans, Daniele Collinge, Nikola Tavares, Myles Kenlock, Anthony Hartigan, Mark Shelton, Lee Ndluvo (Joe Grimwood 90), Callum Stead, Idris Kanu (Jordan Cropper 76), Ryan Glover (Dominic Telford 79), Zak Brunt (Adebola Olowu 44).
3:00pm Kick Off. Saturday 8th February 2025, Jakemans Stadium, Boston (att 1,973).
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