FOOTBALL: Thunderstorms bring panic in Boston League

Boston Saturday Football League
A dads versus lads charity football match at the Barkestone-le-Vale pitch on Sunday (June 28) will raise money for Macmillan Cancer SupportA dads versus lads charity football match at the Barkestone-le-Vale pitch on Sunday (June 28) will raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support
A dads versus lads charity football match at the Barkestone-le-Vale pitch on Sunday (June 28) will raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support

The thunderstorms, which began during the second half of many local matches, caused panic and, ultimately forced three games to be halted prematurely, with just one affecting a Sleaford area side.

Northgate Olympic were losing 2-0 at Boston College Reserves when the referee called a halt with 10 minutes remaining.

Taylors Garages Premier Division

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Billinghay Athletic entertained Benington and both sides served up a nine-goal thriller in a topsy-turvy encounter.

Billinghay were 2-0 down at one stage then recovered to lead 4-3, only to throw it all away in the last 10 minutes. Both sides fielded much-changed line-ups with Benington missing more than half of their first team regulars due to cricket and holidays while the hosts have been hit by a mass exodus of players from last season’s first team squad.

Benington got off to a flying start as they created a host of first half chances with Bell and recent recruit Peter Evison getting on the scoresheet. Billinghay halved the deficit on the stroke of half-time and then hit Benington with two quickfire strikes early in the second period to gain control of proceedings.

Rhys Cox got Benington back on level terms, only for Billinghay to regain the lead again shortly after. Adam Lyon netted his first goal in Benington colours to bring the scores back to 4-4 with 10 minutes remaining.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

There was still time for a final twist when Benington were then awarded an indirect free-kick on the edge of the home penalty area when the Billinghay goalkeeper caught a back pass. Bell stepped up to rifle home what proved to be the winning goal.

Billinghay’s goals from Adam Underwood-Harley (2), Bradley Walker and Michael Cliffe.

Wyberton Reserves bounced back after their opening day disappointment with a 4-1 home win against Heckington Millers.

Shane Brackenbury (2), Reece Beauchamp and Jason Allen grabbed the goals for Wyberton.

Taylors Vauxhall Division Three

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Boston College Reserves, making their debut in the Boston League, were left frustrated when their home match against Northgate Olympic was abandoned because of the rumbling storms overhead.

The College completely dominated the game and could easily have been five or six goals ahead. The visitors only turned up with 11 men and that was reduced to 10 when they lost a further player at the break through injury.

The referee’s report will be discussed before an outcome is arrived at.

The first half of Old Doningtonians Reserves’ home match against Leverton Reserves saw the home side being the more threatening but Leverton defended stubbornly and they managed to keep their opponents at bay as the first period finished goalless.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Leverton began to gain more control on the game in the second half with more chances being created, and when the Dons keeper saved well it was Damian Gibbons who was there to slot home the rebound into an empty net from a tight angle.

The lead didn’t last long however, when Dons broke quickly to equalise through Luke Barnett. With the game still closely contested, it was Leverton who regained the lead again when the creative influence of Dec Reed found Gibbons for the second time and the striker knocked the ball past an advancing keeper to score his second.

Time was running out and in the fourth minute of added time Old Dons had one final attack down the wing and when Shawn Scott checked back to curl in a cross, the ball evaded everyone to creep in at the back post.

Related topics: