Boston United and Lowestoft Town produced a real Christmas cracker for the 1,219 crowd, writes Terry Lynes.
The game was played at a frantic pace with the Pilgrims seemingly having the points tied up after 35 minutes as they moved into a three-goal lead. The opening goal came in the 10th minute following a period of sustained Boston pressure with Greg Tempest firing home through a crowded goalmouth from 25 yards. Boston doubled their lead 10 minutes later with a similar goal as a break down the left saw a cross headed away to Scott Garner who rifled the ball just inside the post from 20 yards.
Lowestoft were far from subdued and had three excellent chances to reduce the arrears but Jake Reed and Erkan Okay failed to get any real power in their attempts and Dean Mason shot wide of the upright when well placed.
The game seemed over as a contest when the hosts added a third goal in the 33rd minute. As with the first two goals there seemed little danger as the ball was knocked clear but from some 30 yards Rene Steer's cross-come-shot dipped over Ashlee Jones and just under the bar. The Trawlerboys though still refused to lie down and at the third time of asking were awarded a penalty on the stroke of half time.
Twice previously Reed had tumbled in the area, but this time Mason was clipped as he cut in from the left. Jack Ainsley converted from the spot.
Lowestoft were fired up from the start of the second period and Reed had the ball in the net only to have the effort ruled out for offside. An excellent cross from Adam Smith saw Shaun Bammant's header spectacularly turned over the bar by Joel Dixon but it only delayed the inevitable as in the 53rd minute another cross from the right was only partially cleared and Curtis Haynes-Brown volleyed home.
Boston restored their two-goal advantage in the 62nd minute. Striker Dayle Southwell was yards offside as he moved back from a failed attack but as the ball was played forward again he was allowed to run through and round Jones before scoring from a narrow angle. Lowestoft though hit back within a couple of minutes as Bammant teed up Reed.
Yet the fightback was off again when Dayle Southwell finished off a remarkable afternoon's goalscoring.
Lowestoft return to action tomorrow at home to Gainsborough Trinity.
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