Boston United boss delighted to see U21s shine in Lincolnshire Senior Cup triumph
Boston United manager Paul Hurst was delighted to see the U21s lift the Lincolnshire FA Senior Cup for the first time since 2006 thanks to a 3-0 home win over Grimsby Town on Tuesday night.
And he said there could be opportunities for some of them to shine in pre-season with the first team squad.
“They did very well against a stronger Grimsby Town side in terms of lads who had played in the first team, who made up about half of their team,” he said.
“On the night they showed application and desire in the game that influenced the result and did extremely well, so I am pleased for them.
“Realistically it is still a big jump to the first team, but it was nice for them to get to play on the pitch in front of fans and lift a trophy.
“I am pleased for Jamie (Raynor) and the work he puts in with them.
“They are genuinely good lads who first and foremost want to be footballers, which is pleasing as I don't think there is much entitlement there – more a hunger and desire to train and improve as much as they can.
“A lot of them are out on loan lower down the pyramid and quite a few of them have been starting games in men's football which is a great learning curve.
“We have seen quite a few of them in training at various points and some of them are doing okay.”
He continued: “You have to be careful as people can very quickly get carried away.
“They did beat a Grimsby side with first team players.
“But it is still a big difference when the result really matters.
“Their challenge in my eyes is just to continue to improve and the ones that are here next season could get opportunities to train with us first and foremost.
“Pre-season is a time when numbers can be low depending on how recruitment has gone or how long it takes you to put your squad together.
“And sometimes opportunities arise through those circumstances.
“I am sure opportunities will present themselves going forwards and then it's about taking them and how they fit within the group as well.”
With Louis Chadwick in goal, the Pilgrims otherwise fielded a young side and Sam Warburton tapped them into a 44th minute lead.
On the hour Henry Brown has rattled the crossbar for Grimsby, following Jude Soonsup-Bell's through ball, only to see Luca Alonzi double United's lead two minutes later.
On 72 minutes a big save from United's Louis Chadwick denied Mariners sub Harvey Booth as Grimsby looked for a way back in..
Instead, Boston put the icing on the cake at the end as Alfie Perry's cross went all the way into the net in the third of four added minutes to seal it.
A crowd of 361 included 54 visitors.