Boston United

v Wrexham

Saturday 26 November 2005

 

Kick Off @ 15:00

The Pilgrims
Steve EvansA bad week for Boston manager Steve Evans got worse when he witnessed his team being knocked out of the LDV Vans Trophy following a 3-0 home defeat to Conference side Kidderminster. Earlier on in the week Evans was handed a suspended £1,000 fine after he admitted to using insulting words to match officials in the game against Peterborough last month.

It has been a busy week for Evans in the transfer market after he signed Dutch keeper Michael Kuipers on loan from Championship side Brighton. Kuipers has just returned from shoulder injury picked up in January and the move is viewed as part of his recuperation process to obtain match fitness.

Also joining the Pilgrims is striker Francis Green from rivals Lincoln but David Noble is set to leave Boston after the midfielder joined Bristol City on loan with a view to a permanent move when the transfer window reopens in January.

Wrexham will come up against League 2's October player of the month after Ian Ross picked up the award for his five goals last month. The midfielder is currently on loan from Championship side Sheffield United and is currently second top scorer behind former Premiership striker Julian Joachim who has scored eight goals since his move to York Street in the summer.

Past Encounters
Mark JonesThe club's last met on the opening day of the season when Wrexham recorded a 2-0 victory courtesy of strikes from Mark Jones and Lee Roche. Prior to this the club's have only met on two occasions in the league back in the 2002/03 season when both games ended in draws. The game at the Racecourse ended 1-1 with Lee Trundle scoring for Wrexham but in the return fixture at York Street the teams shared six goals in a 3-3 draw with a brace from Trundle sandwiched in between a goal from Brian Carey.

The clubs have met on three occasions in the league with Wrexham winning once and the other two games have ended up in draws.

Form Guide

Wrexham: WLLDWLWD

League Position: 8th (18 games)

Boston: WDWDLWLL

League Position: 12th (18 games)
The midweek defeat against Kidderminster in the LDV Vans Trophy came on the back of a 2-1 defeat at home to Notts County. These two defeats ended a run of decent home form which included a 4-1 demolition of League 1 Swindon in a FA Cup replay. Boston's form is coming at home as on the road they tasted defeat at Rushden & Diamonds with draws at Swindon and Oxford. At home they defeated Huddersfield in the LDV and had a comfortable 2-0 victory over Torquay in the league.

Wrexham's draw against Peterborough last weekend ended a run of four successive wins at the Racecourse but in the game prior to this Wrexham recorded a 3-0 victory at Oxford, the first away win of the season in any competition. A last minute victory at home to Darlington came on the back of three away games which ended in defeat at Blackpool and Bristol Rovers with a point picked up at Peterborough.

Bookies View

Boston are favourites for the win priced at 5/4 with UK Betting and Total bet. The Wrexham win is at 11/5 with Bet Odd or Even, Bet365 and Stan James with Centre bet pricing the draw at 23/10.

Team News

Wrexham Team News: Denis Smith has a rare selection problem in defence with Dennis Lawrence and Paul Warhurst after returning to the squad but Wrexham travel to Boston without Robbie Foy after the striker picked up an ankle injury in training. Jim Whitley and Shaun Pejic played for the reserves in midweek after lengthy lay offs but are not match fit and they join Andy Holt on the sidelines.

Michael Ingham starts in goal with Dennis Lawrence expected to be recalled to the back three and he could partner Dave Bayliss and Danny Williams at the expense of Mike Williams. Lee Roche will be at right wing back with an unchanged midfield of Matt Crowell, Mark Jones and Darren Ferguson. Dean Bennett or Alex Smith will be at left wing back with Jon Walters and Lee McEvilly up front.

Wrexham Squad (17): Ingham, Michael Jones, Bayliss, Danny Williams, Lawrence, Bennett, Roche, Crowell, Ferguson, Mark Jones, McEvilly, Walters, Reed, Spender, Warhurst, Smith, Mike Williams.

Boston Team News: Boston include recent recruits Michel Kuipers, Francis Green and David Galbraith in the squad to face Wrexham and top scorer Julian Joachim returns after missing the midweek defeat against Kidderminster in midweek. Noel Whelan has an outside chance of making the squad but he lacks match fitness.

Officials: The match referee is Paul Melin from Surrey and he is assisted by Craig Evans and Nigel Murphy with Ian Smedley as fourth official. Paul Melin has refereed 15 games this season sending off 5 players and booking 43 at an average of 2.87 per game.

Coca Cola League 2 Fixtures:

Boston v Wrexham

Bristol Rovers v Barnet
Bury v Cheltenham
Carlisle v Wycombe
Chester v Peterborough
Darlington v Rushden & Diamonds
Macclesfield v Leyton Orient
Mansfield v Stockport
Northampton v Lincoln City
Notts County v Torquay
Oxford United v Grimsby
Rochdale v Shrewsbury

Venue Guide

Address: York Street Stadium, York Street, Boston, Lincolnshire, PE21 6JN.

Telephone Number: 0870 757 9266

Fax Number: 01205 591 018

Boston Websites

How to get there?
By Car: Head past Manchester on the M62 leaving at junction 27 to join the A1 and then A1(M). At the roundabout with the A17 take the third exit onto the A17 and after passing Sleaford turn left at Swineshead Bridge onto the A1121 and then the A52 to Boston. At the roundabout with the A16 take the first exit onto the A16 John Adams Way  and right at the traffic lights into main Ridge and another right onto York Street. Allow at least 4 hours from Wrexham.

By Train: Nearest Train Station is Boston and is a mile away from the ground. The directions are a bit long so here goes: Head down station street towards the large church tower (Known locally as the Stump) and go through the car park with the Police Station on your right and then over the river on the footbridge. After the front bridge turn right into Church Lane towards the Market Place and keep going straight on and after passing the Britannia Inn you will cross over a pelican crossing. Keep going and then turn right down South Street and cross the road turning left down a small road called Spain Lane and after passing the Blackfriars Arts centre you will come to the John Adams Way dual carriageway. Cross this using the staggered pelican crossing and the ground is ahead of you down Spayne Road. Simple! Click here for the Rail Track Online Timetable or call national enquiries on 08457 484950.
When you are there
Car Parking: Away fans are advised to sue the NCP car park which is located by taking the first exit on the left off John Adams Way after crossing the river. There is parking on the opposite side of John Adams Way and this would make life easier as you will be facing in the correct direction for the away home. To reach it turn right into Main Ridge (as if you were travelling to the ground) and from there turn around to come back along John Adams Way to the car parks.

Beer and Grub: There are two pubs near by with the Coach & Horses closest to the ground on Main Ridge. The other pub is the Wellington also located further down Main Ridge. The Social Club behind the York Street Stand is only likely to admit away supporters that are official members of Wrexham Supporters club (i.e. you have got your membership card!). On the plus side the ground is only five minutes from the town centre (see directions from the station) and recommended pubs include The Eagle near the station in West Street and The Still in Market Place, as well as any Batemans pubs. The Eagle Chippy on the corner of Main Ridge does good trade on match days.

Cash Machines: The nearest machines are all under a quarter-a-mile away in the town centre. On market Place you will find a Halifax, Nationwide Barclays, and LloydsTSB. On High Street you will find a HSBC.

How much to get in?
Town End Terrace: Adults £13, Over 65's £9.50, Under 16's £6.50

Disabled Facilities
There is no parking available on site and local street parking subject to local regulations with 5 (max) places for orange/blue badge holders There are only two wheelchair spaces and no other disabled facilities with the option to site sit in a gateway at the side of the ground.

Weather Forecast
Heavy showers with temperatures reaching a maximum of 6 degrees Celsius and a 13 mph northerly wind.