Boston United bowed out of the National League Cup at the quarter-final stage on Tuesday evening following defeat to a talented West Ham United side.
The Hammers led inside 13 minutes through Ryan Battrum, but the Pilgrims levelled 15 minutes later with Jordy Hiwula on target.
The match remained finely-poised until Emeka Adiele’s superb solo effort with five minutes to play – booking the East Londoners progress to the last four of the competition in the process.
United boss Paul Hurst had made five changes to his side ahead of kick-off – and the Pilgrims fell behind when Adiele motored down the left to cross for BATTRUM to slam the ball home from midway inside the penalty area.
The hosts should have levelled a minute later, but Waldock fired wide after linking up well with Hiwula and Dylan Hill.
Boston did equalise in the 28th minute when Waldock darted clear on the left to pull the ball back across for HIWULAto finish well at the back post.
Stockport County loanee Andrew Wogan made a cracking save to deny Josh Ajala, as the Hammers threatened to re-establish their advantage.
There was another Wogan save from Ajala after the break, while Hill’s low drive deflected wide after meeting Kieren Donnelly’s driven cross from the right.
West Ham sealed the deal five minutes from time when ADIELE started and finished a rapid break into the Pilgrims’ half with a driven effort which gave Wogan no chance.
Boston (4-2-3-1): Andrew Wogan; Ben Grist, Oisin Gallagher, Connor Teale, Matty Carson; Jordan Richards (Greg Sloggett 46), Arjan Raikhy; Kieren Donnelly, Liam Waldock (Frankie Maguire 68, Luca Alonzi 78), Dylan Hill; Jordy Hiwula (Ken Aboh 68). Subs (not used): Jacob Scott, Finley Ging, Rhys Lovett (gk).
West Ham (4-2-3-1): Finley Herrick; Jethro Medine (Gabriel Caliste 67), Josh Briggs, Ezra Mayers, Rayan Oyebade; Preston Fearon, Mohamadou Kante (Tyron Akpata 46); Ryan Battrum, Josh Ajala (Regan Clayton 90), Emeka Adiele; Josh Landers (Daniel Cummings 90). Subs (not used): Elisha Sowunmi, Luis Brown, Reece Byrne (gk).
Referee: Richard Eley.
Attendance: 688.
PIC: Chris Bray.
Words: Craig Singleton
