Boston United 3-2 Stalybridge Celtic

Newsham gave the Pilgrims an early lead at The Jakemans Stadium and although Stephen Brogan levelled for the visitors, Weir-Daley and Newsham struck to hand United an unassailable lead.

Craig Hobson reduced the arrears in the eighth minute of added time but the Pilgrims claimed a deserved home victory over full-time Celtic.

The result was fair on the balance of play with the Pilgrims turning in a performance full of drive against one of the strongest sides in Blue Square Bet North.

Weir-Daley was deemed only fit enough for a place on the bench following illness, where he was joined by 17-year-old youth team player James Reed.

The Pilgrims fell asleep from the kick-off and Phil Marsh had a shot repelled by Paul Bastock after only nine seconds of play following Jan Budtz’s towering kick.

The frenetic start continued with Ben Milnes rattling the post from 18 yards following an Ian Ross assist. Nathan Stainfield then headed narrowly too high following a Ross corner as United’s good start continued.

The Pilgrims were rewarded on 23 minutes when Gareth Jelleyman delivered some quality from the left and NEWSHAM curled home a beauty from 18 yards to hand United the lead.

There was a melee on the touchline following United’s breakthrough with visiting manager Jim Harvey appearing to strike Newsham as the frontman celebrated. Referee Guy Stretton calmed tensions and Stalybridge levelled within eight minutes.

Marsh galloped clear down the Celtic right and delivered a pinpoint ball for BROGAN to slam home from six yards.

Substitute Arthur Gnahoua forced a tremendous block from Tom Ward, while Bastock clutched a deflected Warburton drive.

The sides traded chances at the start of the second half with Stainfield’s header from a Ross corner being inadvertently blocked by Jelleyman, while Craig Hobson turned and whistled a 20-yarder a fraction wide for the visitors.

The game was defined by three key incidents in quick succession. Bastock was alert to deny the ever-dangerous Marsh and from the resulting kick downfield, Milnes’ cross bobbled around with WEIR-DALEY slamming home the loose ball, into the top corner, from 12 yards.

Milnes was then superbly denied by Budtz following Weir-Daley’s unselfish play, but it was not long before the Pilgrims put the game out of reach. Joel Bembo-Leta handled Ross’ shot and after Stretton had awarded the spot-kick, NEWSHAM drove the penalty home to score his 50th goal for the club.

The Pilgrims were seemingly coasting but Stretton opted to play almost nine minutes of added time — in addititon to the six played at the end of the first half — and with eight additional minutes on the clock, HOBSON bundled the ball over the line after Brogan’s free-kick had seen Bembo-Leta have a shot blocked.

Boston (4-3-3): Paul Bastock; Conor Marshall, Tom Ward, Nathan Stainfield, Gareth Jelleyman; Ben Milnes, Ian Ross, Danny Sleath; Ben Fairclough, Marc Newsham (Chris Hall 81), Tyrone Kirk (Spencer Weir-Daley 55). Subs (not used): Kevin Austin, Lee Canoville, James Reed.

Stalybridge (4-3-3): Jan Budtz; Jack Rea, Kristian Platt, Rhys Meynell, Andy McWilliams; Ollie Banks (Joel Bembo-Leta 56), Greg Wilkinson (Arthur Gnahoua 27), Callum Warburton (Mitchell Austin 66); Phil Marsh, Craig Hobson, Stephen Brogan. Subs (not used): Chris Lynch, Djeny Bembo-Leta.

Referee: Guy Stretton