Boston United send out a message to rivals as they move up to third following 4-0 win at Farsey Celtic

Farsley Celtic 0 Boston United 4
Joe Leesley. Photo: Oliver Atkin.Joe Leesley. Photo: Oliver Atkin.
Joe Leesley. Photo: Oliver Atkin.

Dominant Boston United brushed aside Farsley Celtic to move up to third in the National League North.

Joe Leesley's brace took his tally to three goals in two matches while Fraser Preston and Jay Rollins also netted in a 4-0 victory - the hosts' first league defeat at The Citadel this season.

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Craig Elliott's side were in control of the contest from the kick off until the final whistle, rarely troubled and recording their eighth clean sheet from 14 matches this season.

But it wasn't just the result that caught the eye but also the ruthless manner in which Boston put their hosts to the sword.

After scoring six times in the past two games, they're no-longer the side which scrapes by thanks to the odd goal, and a serious message appears to have been sent to the club's fellow promotion hopefuls.

United - who have moved up nine places from 12th to third since Boxing day - now trail leaders Gloucester City by nine points with four games in hand while second placed Kidderminster Harriers are a point in front of Boston, having played one game more.

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Elliott stuck with the same starting XI which beat Alfreton Town 2-0 on Boxing Day, and it was the in-form Pilgrims who had the first sight of goal, Connor Dimaio's 2-0-yarder whacking the hosts' crossbar.

Luke Shiels' header then flew wide after he met Leesley's corner.

Leesley opened the scoring in the 35th minute, driving home from a narrow angle in the Celtic penalty area.

The hosts were struggling to create chances in the fist half while United looked to add to their advantage.

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Jordan Richards somehow cleared Jordan Burrow's effort after Sam Kelly's unconvincing punch, but the Celt Army keeper did well to divert Tom Platt's low drive from distance.

United began the second half brightly, Pierce Bird's header deflected onto the bar by Richards before Preston made it 2-0 in the 53rd minute.

Collecting Dimaio's long ball over the Celtic backline he coolly slotted home.

Terry Hawkridge's free kick was deflected wide before Leesley made it three just 13 minutes into the second half.

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After his initial effort was blocked the winger powered home at the second attempt, again from a tight angle.

It was almost four seconds later when Shiels' acrobatic attempt struck the woodwork.

Farsley's Adam headed over when handed a rare opportunity in the Pilgrims' box before Richards' long-range free kick was tipped wide by Ross Fitzsimons.

In between those moments Kelly was called into action again to hold onto Preston's hopeful effort.

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Substitute Rollins made it 4-0 in the 83rd minute, sweeping home from close range. Job done.

CELTIC: Kelly, Richards, Hayhurst (Smith-Brown HT), C. Atkinson, Barton, Clayton, Lane, Johnston, Charles, Syers (B. Atkinson 65), Parkin (Walton HT). Subs (not used): Goldthorp, Bower.

UNITED: Fitzsimons, Tootle (Warren 85), Duxbury, Platt, Shiels, Burrow (Rollins 75), Bird, Dimaio, Hawkridge, Preston (Garner 87), Leesley. Subs (not used): Green, Crook.

REF: David McNamara.

MORE PILGRIMS: Striker search continues - Elliott