Gainsborough Trinity will travel to Boston United on Tuesday night for an FA Cup replay following late drama at The Northolme.
Goals from Jordan Helliwell and a peach from Ashley Jackson were matched by Jacob Hazel and late heroics from substitute Pemi Aderoju, as the sides are forced to a replay.
Lincolnshire FA Cup Clash:
Dylan Wharton in the Trinity net gave fans a fright early on, as he miskicked his clearance, giving Cameron Green a chance to continue his press. Luckily, the goalkeeper recovered well, clearing the ball before it got more dangerous.
The game started off very slow after that, with Gainsborough being allowed all the ball, while Boston defended well.
Boston finally took the lead after 20 minutes. A long ball up saw Jacob Hazel battle with his man, before getting past him and tapping it past Wharton to put the Pilgrims 1-0 up.
This gave Boston the chance to gain more confidence and attempt to attack more often.
United’s lead didn’t last long, however, with the Holy Blues equalising just eight minutes later. A long throw met the head of Declan Howe, who battled with the defender well, before ‘keeper Ellis Craven came out to claim it.
The goalkeeper spilled it, however, and Jordan Helliwell was there to slot it into the top corner, with nothing the Boston defence could do about it.
The game slowed down again after the equaliser, with Trinity attacking well but unable to do enough to beat Boston again.
Ashley Jackson Beauty and a Late Leveller:
The second half started slow too, with Gainsborough looking more dominant as they tried to get a second.
It took 20 minutes in the second half, but the Holy Blues took the lead again. After playing some good football along wing, a ball was played inside to defender Ashley Jackson.
The defender chose to shoot whilst under very little pressure and drilled it into the bottom corner from 25-yards out. It was a superb goal, deserving of winning any game.
Boston came close to an equaliser almost instantly. The first ball played after Trinity’s goal was long towards the defence, and Hazel did well to reach it and beat his man. His curling effort clipped the top of the crossbar, with no chance for Wharton, but Gainsborough narrowly managed to keep their lead.
Howe came close to finding a third just a few minutes after Hazel’s chance. He danced through Boston’s defence before hitting his effort just wide of goal.
The last 20 minutes saw Boston dominate in possession and do all they could to break Gainsborough down, but it didn’t look likely for the Pilgrims.
Then, substitute Aaron Braithwaite was sent off very late on in the match for a late challenge on a Boston United player, making it a harder challenge for Trinity to hang on.
Boston equalised deep into stoppage time after a long free kick came in to the path of Pemi Aderoju. Despite appeals for a foul on goalkeeper Wharton, Trinity could not keep it in front as Boston scored with the last kick of the game.
It means the side will meet again on Tuesday night, for a replay at Boston United’s Jakemans Community Stadium.
Feature Image Credit: Heather King