Forest Green Rovers 1-3 Boston United: Rovers stunned by The Pilgrims

By Alfie Ryan

FOREST GREEN R 1

Clarke 3

BOSTON UNITED 3

Cursons 1, 52 (pen), Wheeldon 75

PILGRIM PARTY: Scorer Lennon Wheeldon, leads leads the Boston celebrations

PICTURE: O Media/ Chris and Ollie Bray

Paul Hurst couldn’t hide his delight after his Boston United side stunned Forest Green Rovers at The New Lawn.

A brace from Tom Cursons and a goal from Lennon Wheeldon put an end to the Pilgrims’ five-game winless run.

“It was a bit of a strange game overall,” said boss Hurst. “We had a great start, they hit back very quickly and they put us under a bit of pressure.

“In the end it was relatively comfortable. Thinking back to last season (which finished 3-2 to Boston), it was a nervy ending after being 3-0 up.

“I understand when players or fans get a little bit edgy because you feel it yourself. It is a big three points against a team that everyone are expecting to be play-off contenders.”

Match Action

Boston opened the scoring just 45 seconds into the game when Tom Cursons was put through on goal to slot past Ethan Ross with ease.

“It was the perfect start, it was one of them when you would say, ‘almost too good’,” added Hurst.

“We spoke about Tom being on the backline and it reaped rewards instantly. I am pleased for him because he had been lacking a bit in confidence. He hasn’t scored as many goals as he would have liked, so he will be really happy with a brace.”

Rovers responded within two minutes when Jayden Clarke was found on the edge of the box to put a composed effort past Louis Chadwick and level the game up.

Second Half

Rovers should have gone ahead just two minutes into the second-half when D’Mani Mellor’s headed effort from less than five yards out missed an empty net.

“It is incredible, I do not know what has happened,” said Rovers boss Robbie Savage. “Nobody intends to miss, but I don’t know how it has been missed. I haven’t seen it back, but it is under the bar. You have to score them.”

Boston won a penalty on 50 minutes when Gabe Kircough took Cursons down inside the box. He stepped up and doubled his tally for the afternoon.

The Pilgrims extended their lead with 15 minutes to go when Wheeldon was found unmarked from a Georgie Gent corner. His effort clipped off the in-side of the post.

‘Poor’

Rovers’ three-game unbeaten run came to an end and Savage was desperate-ly disappointed.

“The stats will say the same thing, if you don’t take your chances that is what happens,” he said. “We gave a penalty away. Whether it is a penalty or not, it is poor, but you can’t miss those chances.”

STAR MAN: Tom Cursons (Boston)

ATTENDANCE:1,945

ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★

REFEREE: Jason Richardson