FC Halifax Town completed a hard-fought National League double over Boston United at The Shay on Saturday afternoon.
After taking the points in a 1-0 success at the Jakemans Community Stadium in October, the Shaymen repeated the feat on Saturday with Jamie Cooke scoring the only goal of the game in the 61st minute.
It was rough justice on the Pilgrims, who once again competed well on the big stage, but were found wanting in front of goal on an absolute quagmire of a playing surface.
United’s cause was not aided by an early challenge on Martin Woods from home defender Festus Arthur, who was yellow carded in the process of leaving the Pilgrims’ experienced campaigner in considerable pain.
Halifax keeper Sam Johnson made a decent save to keep out an angled Keaton Ward effort, while Jacob Hazel was denied from long-range by the home stopper.
Johnson was involved again before the break, denying Ward and then thwarting Hazel on the follow-up.
Halifax took the lead 16 minutes after the break with Ryan Galvin skipping clear down the Town left to deliver a pinpoint cross for COOKE to sweep home from close-range.
The Pilgrims huffed and puffed in the closing stages and saw Zak Mills denied by a goalline clearance with virtually the last kick of the game.
FC Halifax (4-2-3-1): Sam Johnson; Adam Senior, Will Smith, Festus Arthur, Ryan Galvin; Jack Evans, Scott High; Luca Thomas (Jack Jenkins 81), Jamie Cooke, Angelo Cappello (Max Wright 65); Zak Emmerson. Subs (not used): Harvey Sutcliffe, Florent Hoti, Tom Pugh, Adam Adetoro, Nathaniel Ford (gk).
Boston (4-2-3-1): Cameron Gregory; Jai Rowe, Zak Mills, Connor Teale, Cameron Green (Tony Weston 72); Jordan Richards, Martin Woods (Brad Nicholson 59); Keaton Ward (Adam Marriott 86), Jimmy Knowles (James Gale 65), Dylan Hill; Jacob Hazel. Subs (not used): Kieran Coates, Olly Green, Jake Lovelace (gk).
Referee: Will Davis.
Attendance: 1,668 (282 visitors).
PIC: Chris Bray.
