Boston United v Blyth Spartans (Match Preview)

BLUE SQUARE BET NORTH

Venue: The Jakemans Stadium, York Street, Boston (PE21 6JN)
Date: Saturday April 23, 2011
Kick Off: 3pm

Score Updates:-

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Admission Details:

Segregation is in operation at The Jakemans Stadium and away supporters are housed in the corner of the Benton Brothers York Street Stand. Admission to the stadium is via turnstiles 3-4.

Benton Brothers York Street Stand:
Adults - £11
Concessions - £8
Under-16s - £4

Adult x1 and Child x1 - £14
Adult x2 and Child x2 - £28

A1 to A17 Sleaford to Boston. Upon entering Boston, continue over the rail crossing and bear right at the Eagle pub to traffic lights over Haven Bridge. Proceed straight on along John Adams Way (dual carriageway.) Turn right at traffic lights into Main Ridge East. Turn right into York Street.

Supporters are advised that parking at the stadium is for permit holders only. Street parking is available around the stadium.

Sat-Navs: the postcode for the stadium is PE21 6JN.

Latest starting line-ups:

Boston United (2-2 v Hyde, April 16)
Bastock, Cullingworth, Canoville, Austin, Jelleyman, Frost (Boyes 73), Church, Sleath, Yates, Newsham, Weir-Daley. Subs not used: Clarke, Stones, Ward, Davidson.

Blyth Spartans (0-2 v Gloucester, April 9)
Lowson, Groves, Cave, Tait, Buchanan, White (Swailes 46), Alexander, Turnbull, Brayson, Deverdics, Dale. Subs not used: Cunningham, Ridley.

Boston will welcome back Ryan Semple (Migraine) and Lawrie Dudfield (Stomach Bug) to league duty, after both made a return to action during Tuesday night's Lincolnshire Senior Shield tie.

Shaun Pearson (Back) remains a doubt, as Boston await conformation of his fitness.

After a two week break, Mick Tait will hope to have Dan Lowson (Groin) and Chris Swailes (Thigh) back to full fitness after both struggled with injuries against Gloucester.

Neal Hooks (Ankle) and Liam O'Mahoney (Flu) should also be available for selection.

Both Blyth Spartans and Boston United will look to bounce back from poor results in their last Blue Square North matches when they lock horns on Saturday.

Blyth's poor performance against Gloucester saw them lose 2-0 a fortnight ago, while Boston surrendered a winning position against relegation-threatened Hyde United - who played with 10 men for over an hour - to draw 2-2 last Saturday.

Spartans travel to third-placed Boston knowing that a play-off place is now mathematically out of reach, being 11 points adrift with only three games remaining. Although, they are still on course for their highest-placed finish in the league since finishing 7th in their first season in the division (2006/07) and will want to finish the season strongly, especially with a Northumberland Senior Cup final appearance against Newcastle United Reserves to come.

Despite being near the top of the table for most of the season, United are still yet to confirm their place in the play-offs. However, a win on Saturday would see them guarantee a top five finish and a shot at promotion.

Jason Lee and Lee Canoville

When joint first-team managers Rob Scott and Paul Hirst resigned back in March, Club captain Canoville and ex-forward Lee were thrown in at the deep end when they were appointed joint caretaker managers for the remainder of the season. They've done well so far; picking up two wins and a draw from their first four games - including a 1-0 win over fellow promotion-chasers AFC Telford United - but they will be disappointed they were unable to clinch the Lincolnshire Senior Shield, after a much-changed side was beaten on penalties by Evo-Stik Division One South side Stamford AFC.

Spencer Weir-Daley

The ex-Nottingham Forest and Notts County forward has scored 13 goals in the Blue Square North this season and will be eager to add to his tally, as his side look for back-to-back promotions. The 25-year-old joined Boston on a free, from the now-defunct Ilkeston Town, in October 2009 and his goals - 21 in 28 starts - fired them to promotion. 12 months later, and it looks like it may be the case again.

Boston United:

- Boston are unbeaten in 7 home games, since AFC Telford triumphed 1-0 on February 22.
- United boast the second meanest home defence in the league, conceding only 14 goals in their 18 games at the Jakemans, winning 11 of them in the process.
- They need two points from their final three games to confirm a play-off spot.

Blyth Spartans:

- Paul Brayson is two goals away from reaching 25 league goals this season.
- If he features, Stephen Turnbull will make his 45th appearance this season (in all competitions.)
- Blyth are slightly inconsistent at the moment, as three wins on the trot has been followed by a return of only one point from their last three games.

Blyth Spartans 0-0 Boston United (November 6, 2010)
Blue Square North
Attendance: 558

Match Report from the above game

Match photos from the above game

Previous Clashes

2010/11 - Conference North - Blyth Spartans 0-0 Boston United

2007/08 - Conference North - Boston United 3-2 Blyth Spartans (Houlahan 2)

2007/08 - Conference North - Blyth Spartans 2-1 Boston United (Dale, Webster)

1997/98 - Northern Premier League - Boston United 2-2 Blyth Spartans (Di Lella, Cole)

1997/98 - President's Cup Second Round Replay - Boston United 2-4 Blyth Spartans (Pike 2, Atkinson, Moat) (after extra time)

1997/98 - President's Cup Second Round - Boston United 3-3 Blyth Spartans (Atkinson 2, Moat)

1997/98 - Northern Premier League - Blyth Spartans 0-1 Boston United

1996/97 - Northern Premier League - Boston United 2-1 Blyth Spartans (Moat)

1996/97 - Northern Premier League - Blyth Spartans 1-2 Boston United (Walker)

1995/96 - Northern Premier League - Blyth Spartans 0-3 Boston United

1995/96 - Northern Premier League - Boston United 1-0 Blyth Spartans

1984/85 - FA Trophy First Round - Boston United 5-4 Blyth Spartans (Cartwright, Liddane, Buchanan, McFadden)

1954/55 - FA Cup First Round Replay - Blyth Spartans 5-4 Boston United (Gair 2, Hogg 2, Weatherspoon)

1954/55 - FA Cup First Round - Boston United 1-1 Blyth Spartans (Hogg)

- Chris Swailes (Blyth Spartans: 2010-present) (Boston United: 1991-1992)
- Alan White (Blyth Spartans: February 2011-present) (Boston United: March 2005-June 2006)
- Adam Rowntree (Blyth Spartans: 2008-2009) (Boston United: 2006-2008)

Referee:

I A Dudley

Assistants:

D P Godwin & M Turton

Boston United: 8/13
Draw: 13/5
Blyth Spartans: 7/2