Bayliss strikes late as Boston Town get back to winning ways against Newark & Sherwood
Fraser Bayliss snatched a dramatic late winner to give Boston Town a precious 1-0 UCL Premier North win against Newark & Sherwood on Saturday.
He came on as a second half sub and struck the only goal of the game after 89 minutes to halt a run of three straight defeats.
Boss Chris Funnell said: “I’m absolutely chuffed to bits that we’ve got the win.
“It wasn’t the most fluid of performances but we did the basics well and everyone put in a shift.
“The fact we’ve had three defeats on the bounce, I think it’s really easy to become a little bit panicked.
“So you end up trying to get the ball forward as quickly as possible in any way possible, and that didn’t play to our advantage.
“It’s about remembering what we’re good at, which is combinations in the final third and then flooding the box.”
After the three defeats in a row, this felt like a must-win game for the Poachers – and they started brightly.
They carved out several good chances in the first half, with Harry Limb looking lively on the right. But the Highwaymen also looked dangerous on the counter-attack, belying their lowly league position.
After the break, Funnell’s side continued to look more solid at the back than in recent weeks, with debutant Finley Ging, on loan from Boston United, impressive at right back.
They created fewer clear-cut chance in the second half, although Limb came close to a spectacular goal when his dipping shot from outside the area crashed against the crossbar.
But just as home fans were starting to become reconciled to a goalless draw, up popped Bayliss with his first goal since October.
His jinking run on the left cut through the Newark & Sherwood defence and his shot found the back of the net via a deflection.
Funnell thanked the Pilgrims for their help in loaning out Ging and was delighted by the young defender’s debut,” saying: “I thought Fin came in and was absolutely magnificent at right back.
“He just slotted in – quick, aggressive, can pass the ball, great decision making in his defending, so a really good addition for us.”
Matchday sponsor Tom Carter presented the man of the match award to captain Richard Ford.
Without a game last weekend, Boston United head to Rochdale on Saturday after a scheduled home midweek clash with Woking.
Meanwhile Boston Town are away at Kimberley MW.