Vince delighted to make debut... after 10-month wait

Harry Vince was delighted to make his Boston United debut - even if it was 10 months later than planned.
Taylor Miles.Taylor Miles.
Taylor Miles.

Back in January, with the Pilgrims leading Hednesford Town 3-1, the youth teamer was stripped off and ready for a late cameo, only for the full time whistle to deny him that first appearance.

But on Saturday the 17-year-old, and younger brother of former United goalkeeper Sam, was given the second half to impress against Brackley.

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“I was unlucky last year, I was about to come on but the ref blew for the final whistle, but it was nice to finally make my debut,” said Vince.

Harry Vince.Harry Vince.
Harry Vince.

“Hopefully, there’s more to come.

“Last season I think it was all about experience, this year it feels more real.

“The gaffer wants me to come in and do a job, I think I’ve done that.”

Boston may have been trailing 3-1 when Vince replaced Callum Chippendale at half time.

Harry Vince.Harry Vince.
Harry Vince.
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And although he is by no means the biggest player on the pitch, he gave an assured holding performance in midfield as the Pilgrims came within a whisker of earning a point against the Saints.

“He showed a good reading of the game, a good tenacity and - when he was under pressure - he played good balls,” said manager Dennis Greene, who was also full of praise for fellow debutant Taylor Miles, who has joined the club on loan from Lincoln City.

“Vinno sat in there second half, he’s had a fantastic 45 minutes.

“He’s got a great head on his shoulders and I’m sure he can go far.”

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Boston’s afternoon began terribly as Brackley stormed into a 3-0 lead within 33 minutes, Steve Diggin claiming his hat-trick.

His first was a close-range tap-in after James Armson’s header struck Nat Brown and rebounded kindly.

Goal number two was all about the explosive pace of Glenn Walker, who burst into the United penalty area and teed the striker up with an opportunity he couldn’t miss.

Diggin earned the match ball from the penalty spot, sending Dion-Curtis Henry the wrong way after Joe Maguire was adjudged to have pulled the shirt of Alex Gudger while defending a corner.

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Boston gave themselves hope minutes before the break as Lewis Hilliard - involved in all Boston’s major flashpoints on the day - prodded home Gregg Smith’s knock down from close range.

The same player, however, saw a penalty of his own pushed round the post by Saints stopper Laurie Walker in the second half, the spot kick awarded after Glenn Walker sent Smith to the ground.

Smith reduced the arrears with a powerful back-post header after meeting Hilliard’s inviting cross, before almost snatching a point at the death.

However, as the United striker slid in to divert a deep cross towards the near post, Laurie Walker pulled off a splendid instinctive save from point-blank range.

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United were indebted to keeper Henry for even keeping them in with a late fighting chance - the teenager making some vital and eyecatching saves to push away efforts from Lee Ndlovu and Armson and making sure Diggin’s cheeky lob didn’t earn his his forth of the day.

Boston also found Laurie Walker a tough nut to crack as he denied headers from Marcus Marshall, Smith and Hilliard while watching a dipping Chippendale effort whizz past his post.

UNITED: Henry, Thomas, Maguire, Brown, Gordon, Chippendale (Vince HT), Hilliard, Miles (Fairhurst 68), Rollins, Smith, Wildin (Marshall HT); Subs (not used): Johnson, Emery.

BRACKLEY: L. Walker, Myles, Gudger, Byrne, Graham, Dean, G. Walker, Armson (Lowe 80), Ndlovu (Cox 90), Diggin (Moyo 80), A. Walker; Subs (not used): Rankin, Pitt.

Ref: Richard Wild.

Att: 1,062 (39).

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