The Match Background

The Greens contest league action under the lights for the final time this season on Wednesday evening – two weeks after the clash should have originally taken place. That game fell-foul of the recent wet weather that seems to have besieged the non-league pyramid over recent weeks and both sides fortunes have flipped in the intervening time. Had the game taken place as scheduled, then the Poachers may well have pitched up in NG34 as favourites, but the Greens recent three game unbeaten stretch has revitalised a flagging Greens side. Fuelled by a trio of fresh signings and the return from injury of key players, the Greens are looking good for a strong end to the campaign. Saturday’s 2-0 triumph over AFC Mansfield was as comfortable as the Greens could have wished and I propelled them up into seventh position in Premier Division North, within just eight points of the play-off places. The Poachers meanwhile were being defeated 1-0 by Melton Town at Tattershall Road at the same time on Saturday. That was their first defeat in nine games and just the second goal they’ve conceded in that time with their newfound form built on impressive defensive solidity. That was on show again last week when they took Lincoln United to penalties in the Lincolnshire FA Senior Trophy Final – though they were edged out in the shootout by the Whites as they just missed retaining the trophy that they won last season. So, with the Poachers run coming too late to sneak into play-off contention – and the Greens own hopes relying on a near perfect run between now and April the 13th – it certainly feels a more important night for the hosts than the visitors. But be assured, with local bragging rights firmly on the line, the Poachers are not here on Wednesday evening simply to make up the numbers…

Team News

Player/Managers Tom Ward and Nathan Arnold will check on the fitness of defensive pairing Latrell Patterson and Issa Gaye who were both withdrawn as a precaution on Saturday afternoon against AFC Mansfield while midfielder Lewis Daff, who continues to play through persistent hamstring trouble may also be checked too. Despite that there is mostly good news for Ward and Arnold as they enter the final five games of the season not least in the full returns of Kyle Watkins and Jake Henderson from knee injuries with both available to feature from the start against the Poachers on Wednesday. Watkins has appeared in recent weeks, though has played through the pain barrier while Jake Henderson hasn’t appeared for the Greens since being stretchered off at Hucknall Town last month. Tom Ward himself is also back in contention on Wednesday having served the final game of his three-match suspension on Saturday while Nathan Arnold may also be putting the ‘Player’ back into Player/Manager after sitting out recent games because of an injury picked up at the back end of last month.

The Opposition

Defensive solidity has been the name of the game for Boston Town over recent weeks, with a tightening of the ship coinciding with a seasons-best run of form. Up to Saturday's narrow 1-0 reversal at home to Melton Town, the Poachers were unbeaten in nine league outings, conceding just once - at Kimberley Miners Welfare - during that run. Back-to-back 0-0 draws with Sherwood Colliery and Loughborough Students at the beginning of February was testament to that newfound resilience, something that Manager Martyn Bunce had urged his side to build on after a frustrating first half to the campaign.

He'd also called on his side to find consistency after a campaign blighted by a lack of it. Dropping as low as 15th come the dawn of the new year, the Poachers had begun to look unnervingly over their shoulders before this handy run of form propelled them into mid-table safety. It may all have come too late to see the Poachers themselves into the play-offs, but they could still have a say on who makes it, starting with Wednesday evening's clash with the Greens.

Undone in the end by Tyreace Palmer's 27th goal of the campaign, the Poachers fighting spirit was firmly on show against a Melton side themselves on a run of just one defeat in six. Another stalemate would have technically seen the Poachers record four straight 0-0 draws against the league's top four - if you include last week's gut-wrenching Lincolnshire FA Senior Trophy Final defeat to Lincoln United that is. The Poachers enjoyed the best of the contest overall and deservedly got their stab at penalties after a 0-0 draw in normal time. Having already skied two penalties that would have won them the trophy, the experienced Richard Ford was the unlucky man to take the brunt of defeat with his spot kick saved by Whites keeper Jack Steggles.

Add into all that three points against Skegness Town over Christmas and the Poachers have proved themselves tricky opponents for many of Premier Division North's top sides. It's hardly surprising when you consider the depth of experience in the Poachers side. Jason Field - a man who played across town for Boston United - provides Richard Ford's solid Centre back partner, while they are back up by the highly rated Travis Portas between the sticks should they be breached. He was very nearly the hero in the county Cup final saving two Whites penalties on the trot. Up top, the Greens will know from the reverse fixture the partnership of Harry Limb and Jordan Nuttell can cause issues with that pairing opening the scoring for the Poachers at Tattershall Road in February. Long-serving Captain Lee Beeson is another consistent in this Poachers squad that is full of local and dedicated talent. That kind of loyalty isn't very often displayed at this level, but the Poachers have been shrewd in making sure they aren't poached from themselves. Add into that a core of exciting young talent and the Poachers are well set as they begin to make plans for next season.

Previous Meetings

This evening’s contest will be the 34th meeting between the Greens and the Poachers with the record over those meetings even with the Poachers winning fourteen to the Greens 12 alongside seven draws. It’s been just six weeks since the two sides last met at Tattershall Road with the Poachers running out 2-0 winners on that occasion. The Greens were lacklustre throughout the afternoon and fell to goals from Jordan Nuttell and Lucas Dakin in the second half in front of 132 spectators in Boston. The Poachers will have seen that as payback for a Greens double last season as the two sides finished 5th and 6th in Premier Division North, respectively. The Greens were triumphant at the Mortgages4You Stadium in September 2022, with second half goals from Jacob Fenton and now-Poacher Joe Smith seeing the Greens to a 2-0 victory. That was followed in February of last year with another Greens victory with Joe Smith again involved – he scored both as the Greens fought their way to a 2-1 victory with Fraser Bayliss’ reply not enough to get the Poachers a share of the spoils in front of 222 spectators at The MKM Ground.

The Match Details

Admission to The MKM Ground on Wednesday evening is priced at £7 for adults and £4 for concessions with under-sixteen’s free (alongside a paying adult). There is also a military discount available when showing the relative documentation for £5. We can accept both cash and card at the turnstiles and at the bar and snack bar which will be open throughout the game. Copies of our matchday programme the ‘Green Army’ will be available once again with copies priced at £1.50 each on the turnstiles and featuring an interview this week with striker Tom Waumsley. Wednesday’s match referee is Paul McVey, and he is assisted on the day by Alex Elderkin and Rob Slater. Kick-off at the MKM Ground is scheduled for 7.45PM.

Words; Oliver Atkin