A late comeback from the hosts proved too little too late as Stalybridge claimed all three points at RAF College Cranwell in the Football Conference Youth Alliance.

Boston started brightly, controlling the play in the first few minutes. Melville and Juris Kormis both threatened the Stalybridge goal with efforts just off target.

Stalybridge threatened Sam Vince’s goal with a succession of chances and the pressure paid off when number four expertly volleyed in from a corner on 11 minutes.

Boston looked to draw level straight from kick-off, Melville seeing a powerful header just go over. REVELL then grabbed a deserved equaliser after 21 minutes, flicking his header past the away goalkeeper.

It only took Stalybridge a minute however to reinstate their lead. Once more from a corner, number four thundered a header into the top corner. Buoyed by their quick response, Stalybridge pressed to further their lead and came close with number eight driving over the bar.

Soon after, Stalybridge extended the scoreline to 3-1. Capitalising on a mistake by the Boston backline, number 10 kept his head to coolly slot past Vince.

There was still time for the visitors to add another before the break, number seven heading in from six yards, giving Vince no chance in the United goal.

Starting the second half how they finished first, Stalybridge added a fifth. Number 10 jinked his way into the Boston box before dispatching a high drive into the top corner to claim his second of the afternoon.

In need of a response, Boston upped the tempo and hit back minutes later, MELVILLE giving the home side a glimmer of hope by brilliantly heading in Aaron Eyett’s pinpoint delivery from a free-kick.

Boston however were reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of captain
Niall Delahoy.

The deficit was cut further as Boston ended the match strongly. Joe Briers exploited a gap in the Stalybridge defence with a precise cross, teeing up SQUIRE to volley home Boston’s third with 10 minutes left on the clock.

Squire and Karolis Andriulionis then had chances apiece however both were superbly thwarted by the Stalybridge goalkeeper.

Despite the late pressure from Boston, Stalybridge held out to secure a 5-3 victory.

Boston (4-4-2): Sam Vince; Niall Delahoy, Charlie Melville, Josh Spencer, Charlie Rossington; Leon Squire, Aaron Eyett, Joe Briers, Lewis McKue (Jordan Sowerby 60); Juris Kormis (Karolis Andriulionis 60), Curtis Revell.