MATCH PREVIEW: Boston United (H)

Aldershot Town welcome Vanarama National League strugglers Boston United for the very first time on Tuesday evening, in this midweek clash at the EBB Stadium.

Despite their troubling league position, ‘the Pilgrims’ are very much relishing better times as a club after a topsy-turvy 21st century thus far. Having received an unusual double relegation from League Two in 2007 due to financial issues, the club’s 17-year wait to return to step-one ended last year via the National League North play-offs.

With 43 points from 40 games at present, the Lincolnshire side go into this tie occupying the final relegation spot, though can take solace that they are perhaps the most in form candidate among their nearest rivals approaching the final run-in.

RECENT FORM

As mentioned elsewhere, the former Football League side have found serious form at the perfect time of the campaign.

01/04/25 – Wealdstone 1-0 Boston United
29/03/25 – Boston United 3-0 Southend United
25/03/25 – Hartlepool United 4-1 Boston United
22/03/25 – Rochdale 2-3 Boston United
18/03/25 – Braintree Town 0-1 Boston United

Having found themselves eleven points adrift by late-January, they have gone on to win eight of their last 16 matches, and sit level on points with Dagenham & Redbridge with this Tuesday’s fixture in hand.

IN THE DUGOUT

Despite only beginning his managerial career in 2018, 50-year-old Graeme Coughlan arrived in Lincolnshire with substantial EFL experience both on and off the pitch.

Born in Dublin, the former central defender accrued over 500 career appearances as a player, with spells at Shrewsbury Town, Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham and most significantly, Plymouth Argyle. His time with the Pilgrims saw two promotions in four years, with the Irishman’s contributions entering him into the PFA Team of the Year on both occasions.

His managerial career has admittedly been a mixed bag. A defensive coach out of retirement, Coughlan joined Bristol Rovers’ backroom staff in December 2018, though found himself appointed interim manager shortly after his arrival.

Despite leading the Gas to fourth in League One by the following Christmas period, he made a shock mid-season move to then-fourth-tier Mansfield Town in order to be closer to his Sheffield home. Just four wins in 27 for the Stags saw him dismissed within 12 months of joining.

After an acceptable spell at Newport County between 2022 and 2024, Coughlan has been with Boston since late last year. With the club in 23rd position upon his arrival, the Pilgrims have been the 11th best side in the league since, though an impressive 44% win ratio has yet to exonerate them of serious relegation contention.

LAST TIME OUT

Incredibly, despite both having experienced Conference success in the early 21st century followed by an extended stay in the Football League, the two clubs have somehow managed to completely avoid each other over the years, having only played their first competitive fixture against each other this season, a 1-1 draw back in September.

Josh Barrett opened the scoring with a typically pinpoint finish from the edge of the area, while St. Kitts and Nevis international Jacob Hazel equalised from close range in the second-half.

PLAYED FOR BOTH

Jai Rowe – Joining the Shots on a short-term deal at the end of 2022/23, the defender played just 154 minutes across four appearances.

The 23-year-old has been an ever-present since arriving in Boston, with his most noteworthy contribution being his assistance in the goal that earned them play-off promotion last term.

TICKET INFO

Tickets are available HERE, and are priced as follows after the earlybird period has ended: