Boston United’s unforgiving start to life back in the National League continued on Tuesday evening with a 2-0 defeat at Southend United.
The Pilgrims trailed inside 69 seconds when Harry Cardwell shrugged off Zak Mills to fire beyond Cameron Gregory.
The hosts doubled their advantage seven minutes after the break when wing-back Gus Scott-Morriss ghosted in at the back post to score Southend’s second.
With Tom Leak and Jacob Hazel handed first starts of the season, hopes were high that United could get points on the board at the third time of asking. However, their evening was on the back foot before it had even started, with Boston and Mills appealing in vain for a foul as CARDWELL waltzed through to beat Gregory with a low drive.
United gradually found their feet and home keeper Colin Andeng Ndi saved well to keep out Cameron Green’s header, although the offside flag was belatedly raised anyway.
Noor Husin crashed a drive over the crossbar following Scott-Morriss’ cutback, while Gregory made a brilliant save to deny Danny Waldron towards the end of the first half.
Southend got a firm stranglehold on all three points seven minutes after the break when Husin’s inviting ball from the left was powered home by the head of SCOTT-MORRISS at the back post.
Harry Taylor subsequently clipped the crossbar with a header, while Gregory produced a fine save to deny Cardwell his second and Southend’s third.
Southend (3-5-2): Colin Andeng Ndi; Harry Taylor, Ollie Kensdale, Nathan Ralph; Gus Scott-Morriss (George Wind 90), Noor Husin (George Moncur 71), Cav Miley, Oli Coker, Jack Bridge (James Morton 90); Harry Cardwell (Joe Gubbins 90), Danny Waldron. Subs (not used): Adam Crowther, Jack Wood, James Hillson (gk).
Boston (3-4-1-2): Cameron Gregory; Tom Leak (Dylan Hill 86), Zak Mills, Mitch Roberts; Jai Rowe, Jordan Richards, Martin Woods (Frankie Maguire 74), Cameron Green; Dan Mooney (Adam Marriott 74); Jacob Hazel (Keaton Ward 86), Pemi Aderoju (Tony Weston 66). Subs (not used): Sam Osborne, Ellis Craven (gk).
Referee: Alan Dale.
Attendance: 6,924 (175 visitors).
PIC: Graham Whitby-Boot.
