Boston Town exit FA Trophy despite Harry Limb screamer
First Poachers FA Trophy game since 1983 ends in disappointment
Boston Town were edged out of the FA Trophy at the first time of asking in a 2-1 defeat by Nantwich Town at a rain-soaked Mortgages For You Stadium on Saturday.
The slippery turf made conditions difficult for both sides, and in a game of few clear-cut chances the visitors made the most of their opportunities as the Poachers’ first Trophy game since 1983 ended in disappointment.
Nantwich from the Northern Premier League West Division got their noses in front before half-time, and although Harry Limb pulled Town level in the second half, the visitors soon notched what turned out to be the winner.
Squad rotation to cope with a crowded fixture schedule of eight games in 24 days meant Town started the game without top scorer Matt Cotton, defender Luke Wilson and midfielder Layton Maddison.
There was a rare start on the left wing for youngster Harvey Graves, while Ted Gibbons took the No.10 role ahead of the midfield.
Defender Kyle Watkins made an assured full debut alongside Richard Ford in the heart of the defence.
For the visitors, right winger Iwan Roberts caused problems from the start, while the Dabbers’ influential skipper Joe Piggott pulled the strings in midfield.
Nantwich went ahead on 21 minutes with the first chance for either side when another Roberts cross from the right was parried out by stand-in Town keeper Josh Wilson. Centre-forward Luke Enright had the simple task of converting from close range.
The visitors had the ball in Boston’s net again 15 minutes later but referee George Salloway had already blown for a foul to rule out Patrick Kennedy’s header at a corner kick.
With chances at a premium, Town boss Chris Funnell threw on forwards Tom Siddons and Fraser Bayliss at the break, and after 53 minutes the Poachers carved out their first chance of the match when Harry Limb forced a low save from Liam Hall in the Nantwich goal.
On the hour Limb pulled the home side level.
Siddons was hauled down on the edge of the penalty area, and while most onlookers were expecting a cross from the set piece, Limb blasted a shot which took a slight deflection and arrowed into the top corner of the net.
But five minutes later the visitors restored their lead, right back Aidan Roxburgh racing on to a long through ball and slotting home the winner.
POACHERS: J. Wilson, Ging, Smith (Houlston 66), Tate, Ford (Zaluzinskis 68), Watkins, Graves (Bayliss 45), Archer (Siddons 45), Limb, Gibbons, Munton.