Pilgrims hit three to get into play-offs

The Non-League Football Paper

By Christian James

BOSTON broke into the play-off spots, while Southport sunk to fourth bottom, in a game made comfortable by a second yellow for visiting captain David Morgan. United’s full-backs combined for the first opening of the game: Brad Nicholson worked space to cross from the left to Jai Rowe, who nodded over. A similar move broke the deadlock on 31 minutes, Nicholson instead setting up Martin Woods to pick out the number two’s head; Rowe this time able to bury it from six yards. Seven minutes in and it was almost two, Michael Bostwick picking out Jimmy Knowles for an improvised volley with the outside of his right foot, striking the post. Southport had offered nothing until lax play by United allowed Richie Bennett through to test Aaron Chapman. Minor flashpoints interrupted the flow of the second half until the 62nd minute when Jacob Hazel swivelled to volley home after Nicholson’s long throw. The visitors’ fate was sealed four minutes later as Deji Sotona (recently introduced) knocked the ball past Morgan, who hauled his man down. There was still time for Keziah Martin to storm through and crash past Chris Renshaw, confirming beyond all doubt a seventh loss in nine for Southport. Boston are on a run of just one defeat in ten.