York City slump to first defeat against Boston United

Boston headed into matchday five of the Vanarama National League season without a win, having scored just one goal all season.

But the visitors doubled their goals for the entirety of the campaign so far, taking advantage of York’s frustration with a second-half dominance.

Ollie Pearce and Ricky Aguiar had been thwarted by two superb saves by visiting goalkeeper Cameron Gregory in the first-half, whilst Harrison Male denied Jacob Hazel in a one-on-one scenario.

Opportunities were thin in the first-half, but it didn’t take Boston long to register their lead when Hazel tapped home at the back post, having been kept out by Male on multiple occasions.

Boston doubled their advantage with 87 mintues played, as substitute Pemi Aderoju superbly identified Keaton Ward in space, who slid an effort past Male.

Boston started the season in a dastardly fashion, managing to secure just one point from their opening four games, which came in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Tamworth.

The one goal scored in that Tamworth stalemate for Boston was also their only goal scored this season, with the Pilgrims heading into matchday five in 23rd position, level on goal difference with rock bottom Ebbsfleet United.

These two sides had started the season in differing fashions, but had each faced three of the same teams.

Boston have so far suffered a 3-0 defeat to Rochdale, a 2-0 defeat to Southend United and a 1-1 draw with Tamworth, who City had remained unbeaten against.

A 4-0 hammering from Forest Green Rovers, saw Boston sink to the bottom of the division, only salvaging one position after gaining their first point against Tamworth.

York were heading into their Bank Holiday Monday unbeaten in the National League so far, sitting in fifth position. A 2-2 draw with Sutton United at the weekend meant that Hinshelwood’s side had accumulated eight points from a possible 12, and are currently occupying the play-off places in the early stages of the campaign.

These two sides also share history which favours the Minstermen, flashing back to 2022 and the Vanarama National League North play-off final.

It was Boston’s last visit to York, as goals from Lenell John-Lewis and Maz Kouhyar confirmed City’s return to the National League.

Boston’s play-off heartbreak saw the Pilgrims remain in the division for another two seasons, before ending their spell in the sixth tier with a play-off final victory over Brackley Town.

LIVE BLOG: YORK CITY VS BOSTON UNITED

Hinshelwood looked to combat Boston’s threat by making five changes for the second match in a row, with all five changes being those who dropped out in Saturday’s stalemate at Sutton.

Male was reinstated between the sticks, with Cameron John returning to the backline.

Aguiar, Billy Chadwick and Tyrese Sinclair were all back in the starting eleven to aid the forward lines.

Rory Watson, Darragh O’Connor, Marvin Armstrong, Ashley Nathaniel-George and Dipo Akinyemi all dropped to the bench.

Boston themselves made three changes after their draw with Tamworth, with Cameron Green, Zak Mills, Martin Woods and Tony Weston all replacing Dan Mooney, Tom Leak, Jai Rowe and Mitch Roberts.

Starting at the heart of the defence for the Pilgrims was the experienced Michael Bostwick, who has previously represented the likes of Peterborough United, Lincoln City and Millwall.

York were offered something of an early scare as Jacob Hazel raced through on goal after a mistake in the middle from City, who were bailed out by the linesman’s flag.

Hinshelwood’s side were then left stunned by visiting goalkeeper Gregory, who produced a superb close-range stop to keep Pearce’s strike out of his goal after a flick on from Callum Howe.

City were looking dangerous from corners and Alex Hunt’s delivery, as another deep cross was rushed upon by Aguiar, who swept a half-volley over the bar.

Hunt was soon testing the goalkeeper himself after evading multiple challenges on the edge of the area, before being thwarted by Gregory.

Joe Felix was forced into an important clearance with Hazel lurking for a Weston cross, before Chadwick was left frustrated when an effort was blocked and held by Gregory.

Ollie Pearce is denied at point blank range by Boston. (Image: Tom Poole)

York again were denied in superb circumstances by Gregory, with a brilliant pass by Sinclair reaching John, whose cut back into the area was hammered towards goal by Aguiar, again denied by the feet of the goalkeeper.

Boston were preferring more of a counter-attacking approach against City’s patient style of play, with the hosts having Male to thanks as Hazel raced through from the counter, but failed to beat the York shot-stopper in a one-on-one situation.

Both sides interchanged attempts on goal before the half-time whistle, with Hunt’s curling strike being held and Frankie Maguire’s being deflected wide, with the scores level for the second-half.

York had enjoyed the better of the first-half chances, but it was Boston who started the second period the brighter.

Maguire lashed a venomous effort wide of Male’s goal, before Hazel had a left-footed strike smothered by the York goalkeeper.

City had a penalty shout waved away controversially by the referee, after Pearce appeared to be dragged down in the area.

But over the remaining 35 minutes of the match, they would struggle to provide that needed spark.

Male was keeping the scores at bay with an incredible save with his feet to parry Hazel’s low strike in the area

But there was only so much the goalkeeper could do on his return to the starting eleven, as Hazel was rewarded with his efforts with a simple tap in at the back post.

The Boston striker was keen to add another to his tally when a nice one-two saw Hazel slipped in behind, only to be thwarted by the legs of Male from close-range.

Tony Weston soon saw an effort sliced wide of the target after finding himself one-on-one with Male, with Boston well in control of the match.

The match was settled with 87 minutes played, as some poor defending allowed Aderoju to pick out Ward in space, who raced through unchallenged before poking past Male.

A first defeat of the season for York, who have slipped to seventh as a result.

YORK CITY: MALE 7, FELIX 6, FALLOWFIELD 6, HOWE 6, JOHN 6, BATTY 6, AGUIAR 6 (NATHANIEL-GEORGE 6, 56), HUNT 6 (ARMSTRONG 6, 73), SINCLAIR 5 (JOHN-LEWIS 6, 56), PEARCE 6, CHADWICK 6 (AKINYEMI 6, 56)

SUBS NOT USED: WATSON, O’CONNOR, MCLAUGHLIN

YELLOW CARDS: BATTY (90+1)

BOSTON UNITED: GREGORY, MILLS, RICHARDS, BOSTWICK (LEAK, 57), GREEN (GREEN, 73), WOODS, MAGUIRE, HILL, OSBORNE (ROWE, 46), WESTON (WARD, 80), HAZEL (ADEROJU, 83)

SUBS NOT USED: MOONEY, CRAVEN

GOALS: HAZEL (69), WARD (87)

YELLOW CARDS: OSBORNE (35), WOODS (77)

YORK’S STAR MAN: HARRISON MALE. Despite conceding two goals, it was a spirited effort from the goalkeeper who kept the scoreline down during Boston’s second-half dominance.

REFEREE: STUART MORLAND

ATTENDANCE: 5893 (422)

SHOTS (ON TARGET): 3 (5) | 4 (6)

CORNERS:  6 | 5

OFFSIDES: 0 | 3

FOULS COMMITTED: 9 | 8