By Albatross
August 13 2002

The season gets into full swing tonight as Pools play their first home game of the season. Boston United are the visitors, and Albatross looks at what we can expect. So after a good performance at Carlisle, tonight sees Pools first home game of the season, with League newcomers Boston United looking for their first win.

Boston's problems over the close season have been well documented, and whether you agree with the punishment or not, they started the season four points behind the rest of the division and with £100,000 to find. They have decided not to appeal against this, and so they are currently bottom and three points adrift of the rest.

Saturday saw the Pilgrims draw their first League match 2-2 against a Bournemouth side that some have tipped to do well this season. After going down 1-0, Boston came back strongly in the second half and scored through an own goal after a Bournemouth player deflected Daryl Clare's shot, and then took the lead through James Gould, only to see Bournemouth equalise and hold out for a draw.

This doesn't however provide many clues for tonight. Boston are a bit of an unknown quantity still, as no-one is quite sure how good Bournemouth really are - though the failure of any of the relegated sides to win on Saturday doesn't bode well for them. By all accounts Boston were very poor in the first half, but that may be down to nerves on what was for them an historic occasion.

Recent signing Neil Redfearn is currently suspended, but former Walsall man Tom Bennett should play in midfield. Ex-Grimsby Town player Daryl Clare was a target for a number of Div3 teams before signing on at York Street last season, and was a big success in the Conference; he will need to be carefully watched.

Paul Smith and Tommy Widdrington are still not ready for First Team action, though it's encouraging that Widds managed a full game in the friendly at Durham last night.

Prediction: a comfortable 2-0 win for Pools, goals from Gord and Spike.