Basford Create History To March On

Boston United 3-3 Basford United *2-4 pens (FA Cup Third Qualifying Round Replay) 05/10/22

It’s amazing to think as recent a go as 2006 when Boston United were in the Football League taking on the likes of Notts County and Mansfield Town on a level playing field, Basford United were in the Notts Amateur Alliance and taking on teams like Netherfield Albion, AC Bulwell and Dale Hotel FC on parks pitches.

Now, just one division separate’s the two sides and after last night’s epic replay battle in the world’s oldest KO competition there’s certainly not a huge gulf in class, Basford in the end coming through a good 210 minutes plus of football to eventually win via a penalty shoot out, and reach the fourth qualifying round for the first ever time in their history, setting up a tie against high flying National League side Solihull Moors in the West Midlands.

After the initial match ended 1-1 at Greenwich Avenue on Saturday, the sides were asked to go at it again to provide a winner at the newly built Jakemans Stadium in Lincolnshire on Tuesday evening.

Boston, a league higher, immediately enforcing their ‘favourites’ tag thanks to an own goal by Dom Roma on seven minutes immediately doubled by a Jake Wright on nine.

Basford however didn’t give up, they created chances through Thornhill and Grantham in the first half before a former Pilgrim, Gregg Smith, pulled one back against his old club on 55. Before Anthony Dwyer did what he did best, the in form striker chesting and vollying home after Smith’s effort came crashing back to him off the bar.

That set up a frantic last twenty minutes with both teams looking for a winner, before extra time was called with the scores level at ninety.

With a new found confidence it was Basford who drew first blood in the added half hour as substitute Munakandafa, on loan from Notts County, fired home to give the away side the lead, but that wasn’t the drama unfolded, a penalty to Boston was later dispatched by Pollock who’s goal sent the game to a shootout.

Matt Thornhill prior to the whistle was red carded for a second booking but that didn’t dent the visitors spirit, Basford scoring their first two spot kicks before Preston saved Bosto’s second, Starkie and then Preston scoring himself, before Boston missed their fourth to secure a 4-2 shootout win and history for the travelling army.

Boston United: Davies, Mills (Myles 53), Hull, Pollock (Belehouan 46), Ferguson, Pollock, Leesley, Atkinson (Abbott 40), Brown (Platt 92), Wright, Crawford.

Basford United: Preston, Betts, Irvine, Roma, Barnes, Thornhill, Chapman (Bertram 91), Grantham (Munakandafa 76), Dunn (Starkie 61), Dwyer, Smith (Palmer 109).

Venue: Jakemans Stadium (1,196)

*Main image @Basfordutdfc the Basford players celebrate their penalties win.