Second half goals from Jacob Hazel and Keaton Ward handed Boston United their first National League victory of the season on Bank Holiday Monday.
The Pilgrims were full value for their 2-0 win over York City at the LNER Community Stadium – with strikes from Hazel after 69 minutes and Ward after 87 minutes silencing the large home crowd.
Cameron Gregory had saved well early on to deny Ollie Pearce and Ricky Aguiar – but thereafter United created the lion’s share of chances, with home keeper Harrison Male twice denying Hazel before his opening goal.
United again made four changes to the starting XI – with Zak Mills, Cameron Green, Martin Woods and Tony Weston all included from the off.
Gregory had to save brilliantly in the second minute to keep out Pearce’s close-range drive, before using his legs to repel a later effort from Aguiar.
Hazel went clean through in the 36th minute, but was denied by a fine Male save. Frankie Maguire’s 25-yard free-kick deflected wide moments later.
United started the second half brightly, with Maguire crashing an effort wide following good play down the right from Jai Rowe and Dylan Hill.
Male made a huge save in the 67th minute to keep out Hazel’s close-range drive, following Maguire’s assist, but HAZEL made no mistake two minutes later when he calmly slotted Jordan Richards’ pinpoint delivery beyond the reach of the impressive York stopper.
Male made a near post save to deny Hazel a quickfire second, while Rowe headed wide from Hill’s right-wing cross. Weston subsequently went racing clear, following Hazel’s throughball, but stabbed wide when well-placed.
Dipo Akinyemi’s 25-yard free-kick flew narrowly wide for the hosts, whose fate was sealed three minutes from time when Mills and substitute Pemi Aderoju teed up fellow sub WARD to run on and beat Male with a low finish at his near post.
York (4-2-3-1): Harrison Male; Joe Felix, Ryan Fallowfield, Callum Howe, Cameron John; Daniel Batty, Alex Hunt (Marvin Armstrong 73); Tyrese Sinclair (Ashley Nathaniel-George 57), Ricky Aguiar (Lenell John-Lewis 57), Billy Chadwick (Dipo Akinyemi 57); Ollie Pearce. Subs (not used): Darragh O’Connor, Paddy McLaughlin, Rory Watson (gk).
Boston (4-3-3): Cameron Gregory; Dylan Hill, Michael Bostwick (Tom Leak 58), Zak Mills, Cameron Green (Mitch Roberts 74); Jordan Richards, Martin Woods, Frankie Maguire; Sam Osborne (Jai Rowe 46), Jacob Hazel (Pemi Aderoju 84), Tony Weston (Keaton Ward 81). Subs (not used): Dan Mooney, Ellis Craven (gk).
Referee: Stuart Morland.
Attendance: 5,893 (422 visitors).
PIC: Chris Bray.
