Frustration for Hurst as Boston sparkle and then lose to Hornchurch
Boston United manager Paul Hurst was left baffled as his side sparkled in the first half at home to Hornchurch this afternoon before conceding two late goals once more to lose 3-2.
It was the second time that had happened in five days and against Hornchurch, the Pilgrims turned in their best first half so far to lead 2-1 through Sai Sachdev and Ken Aboah before allowing the Urchins to get on top after the break and snatch two goals in the last 10 minutes.
“I have to be honest and truthful about the whole game and first half, certainly while I have been here, I am not sure we have seen a better half of football – some of it was outstanding,” he said.
“The only disappointment was we gave them a goal which put them back in the game.
“But we had a great response and went 2-1 up and realistically it should have been more by half-time.
“Second half they changed, which we expected them to.
“They started to get on top so we had to change to match them up in midfield.
“Then we went two up front but didn't seem to understand what to do - we put two up front to try to get us up the pitch.
“Then we somehow conceded two goals.
“So the over-riding feeling is one of disappointment and frustrating.
“At the same time that first half makes it worse as I look at that and think we could be a really good team.
“It counts for little, ending the game with zero points. I'd rather just win the game ugly if that's what it takes.
“But, trying to be objective, you can't just throw it all out of the window.”
Hurst now has to work out what the issue is.
“There are two questions in my mind – one is the mentality and the second is fitness,” he said..
“I will look into our fitness internally as that is on me, it's not on our fitness guys.
“It's on me what we do training-wise and how much they do. We definitely had a tough enough pre-season.
“But there was a drop off today. Was that us as a team or the opposition tactics?
“We must learn from this game. We are only five games in and there are things I want them to learn very quickly.
“Today we didn't seem to take things on board that I would have liked to have us do in that short space of time.”
The Pilgrims twice led through goals by Sachdev and Ken Aboh, but the visitors rose to the challenge and netted twice in the last 10 minutes to make it four wins in five games and move up to third in the National League table.
Boston turned in an impressive first half display and were deservedly finally ahead through Aboh's fourth goal in five games on 31 minutes after a superb home move.
However, a Jake Rooney own goal on 41 minutes had the Urchins briefly level only for Sachdev to restore the home side's advantage within two minutes.
Hornchurch were much improved after the break and took control of possession.
Boston held out until the 80th minute, but Aaron Rowe's close range finish finally broke the home resistance and levelled before Bobby Kelman stole an 87th minute winner.
Defender Jamie Grimes (knee) missed the game with injury but could be available for the Tamworth game on Saturday, if not the game after.