Boston United 2-2 Ebbsfleet United (National League)
Twenty odd years ago I was installing road signs on the A2 during the building of the channel tunnel link that served London to Folkestone, it was there I stayed in digs at a crap pub in Northfleet, at the end of the High Street was Stonebridge Road, home of Gravesend & Northfleet, a non league football club who had only just gained promotion to the Conference, or what we know as today, is the National League.
Formed in 1946 after a merger between Gravesend United and Northfleet United, the side have played largely in the Southern League, it did have a spell in the Alliance Premier Division (which we also know today as the National League) between 1979 & 1982, a further spell in the Southern League lasted fifteen years before five seasons in the Isthmian League, before promotion back to the fifth tier where they spent six seasons ahead of a name and ownership change, Ebbsfleet United uniquely becoming 75% owned by fans who paid a subscription through website My Football Club which allowed members to vote on matters that included even team selection.
That fun but unsuccessful fad lasted five years before more stable Kuwaity based owners took full charge and although the club has suffered one or two hiccups along the way, they topped the National South in 2023 to return to step one of the non league pyramid, but after surviving relegation last season by the skin of their teeth, look likely to go down this time around.
Ebbsfleet are bottom of the table on nine points, five below Boston who are second bottom, themselves eight points from safety. It looks like both teams need a win or bust, which is why I'm thinking today might end up in a draw.
It's a cold one, last night Boston tweeted an optimistic picture of their covered pitch, a planned pitch inspection at 12pm has me pondering during my morning dog walk in the frost and sunshine across the woods near me, but after good news in hearing the game is on, I'm out the door and onto the A52 heading east towards the Jakemans.
The Venue
Glistening in sun light the three sided arena all modern on the outside has a feeling of optimism about it today, you get the impression both fans and staff think their team can win, a new Manager in Graham Coughlan has charge, he composed an FA Trophy victory at Gateshead last time out and has added reinforcements since, as I walk through the turnstile and grab a cuppa from the kiosk, I'm up in the usual spot, good view, good company, radio Lincolnshire testing their sound system behind my pew.
The pitch looks great, not an ounce of frost, green, earthy, covered in sunlight, it's fresh but not as bad as where I live back home which is still covered in the white stuff. Not here, just a chill which is warmed up by the odd sip of my brew.
The Game
Josh Wright is just seven games into his managerial career at Ebbsfleet, he's the brother of TV Star Mark Wright, he apparently of Only Way Is Essex.
I'm told since he's taken over the club have seen signs of positivity, although not in results, United are five league games without a point, their last in fact being against Boston who they drew 0-0 with in November.
Boston themselves have suffered two league defeats since that loss, they have had matches off due to the weather but have beaten Newcastle United U21's in the National League Cup, as well as Alvechurch and Gateshead in the FA Trophy.
And it's the Pilgrims who start positively, pressing from the off they look to play on the front foot with an attacking looking line up of diminutive midfielders selected, whilst Ebbsfleet attack themselves on the break, the beginning is open and not as cagey as first thought, two teams playing to win as both no doubt see this as a very winnable tie in what has been a tricky season against usually much tougher opposition.
Pilgrims striker Jacob Hazel has the ball in the back of the net early on but he strays offside ahead of Tony Weston's scuffed shot, the flag rightly waved over the far side to scupper some premature celebrations.
Boston have control but Ebbsfleet counter well, Cosgrove is proving a nuisance and a short back pass is intercepted by him, the inevitable happens as the striker nets an opener that feels totally against the run of play. All of a sudden a flatness appears inside the arena.
There's an injury for new signing Dan Adshead as things look to go from bad to worse, but enter Adam Marriott who comes on as replacement, he shoots low into the bottom corner following a corner not cleared and Boston are deservedly level.
The Score
At half time you think the team who scores next will probably win the game, and after Hazel shoots into the side netting early into the second half, you feel that next goal will come from Boston, who pepper in attack without really making Cousins in the Fleet goal get too flustered.
Another sub is made, an attacking one too as Sam Osborne enters the field, and within minutes the former Notts County midfielder shows his class, Boston breaking out from defence, a deft touch by Hazel sending Weston on his way, he runs forward and plays to Osborne unmarked, cutting inside 'Ozzy' curls home a beauty to give the home side huge advantage.
It all looks to be going well. Osborne then finds Weston who blazes over from close range, I mention it's the sort of chance he might look back on if Boston don't go on to win, then as the minutes tick, on a rare attack, George Moncur chips Tom Donaghy to level out of the blue. It's a brilliant finish from the debutant on loan from Leyton Orient, a player with many years of football league experience, who's been the best the Kent based side has had to offer when on the ball.
Late on you feel from wanting to win it, nobody now wants to give the game away, both settling for a point, but in reality a point is not good enough for either. There's a clatter of chairs as fans leave on the final whistle, no boos or jeers, just an expectancy that the season is well and truly over from a Boston perspective.
The Stars
The hosts will be frustrated because Boston worked hard and attacked from the off with right back Jai Rowe, these days captain, getting forward with confidence and positivity.
I've watched a lot of Rowe over the last year or so and although I wasn't so keen early on, I'm finally seeing a player who possesses speed and ability in the final third, he now has the confidence and strength to cut it at the level, he's been decent the last few times I've seen him play and I'm impressed with how his all round game has come on.
Whilst Oisin Gallagher had an underwhelming debut at centre half on loan from Lincoln, I think he'll improve Boston's midfield when selected in his best position, but the tireless Frankie Maguire and Tony Weston did well, Dylan Hill as always neat on the ball, Hazel a nuisance in attack, all be it not always polished with much, or any, finesse.
For Ebbsfleet, they looked to have solid foundation for a team sitting bottom of the league, defensively structured with two organised banks they got into shape quickly, in attack they created but snatched at too many opportunity, George Moncur offered a cool old head when needed, Aaron Cosgrove caused Gallagher and Leak problems, whilst defensively I thought Mustapha Olagunju was quietly brilliant, quick to the tackle, thirsty for the battle, legally snapping at opponents, the sort of defender in fact Boston need.
The Verdict
It looks destined now that both these clubs will go down, a point not nearly good enough, for Boston they haven't taken enough points off the teams around them to survive, for Ebbsfleet, they simply haven't taken enough points, period.
The Teams
Boston United: Tom Donaghy, Cameron Green, Tom Leak, Keaton Ward Sam Osborne 64), Jacob Hazel, Jai Rowe, Oisin Gallagher, Tony Weston (Kieran Coates 77), Frankie Maguire (Martin Woods 79), Dylan Hill, Dan Adshead (Adam Marriott 30).
Ebbsfleet United: Mark Cousins, Luke O'Neill (Rakish Bingham 78), George Moncur, Franklin Domi, Toby Edser (Max Manktelow 81), Mustapha Olagunju, Tom Dallison, Aaron Cosgrave, Todd Kane, Kwame Thomas (Dom Samuel 70), Callum Harriott (Alex Aoraha 60).
3:00pm Kick Off. Saturday 11th January 2025, Jakemans Stadium, Boston (att 1,909).
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