Oluwabori's first minute goal gives Town hard-fought win at Boston United

Boston United's home groundBoston United's home ground
Boston United's home ground
Andrew Oluwabori's early goal saw FC Halifax Town bounce back from their FA Cup defeat with a 1-0 win at Boston United.

The Shaymen had to survive some intense Boston pressure in the second-half, but showed admirable resilience not only to recover from their defeat at Oldham but produce a gritty performance and secure their first away win and first clean sheet for a month.

That's more like it.

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If the first-half last Saturday was a comedy of errors, this one offered more to smile about.

Oluwabori nicked the ball off right-back Kieran Coates after he twice failed to clear it, cut in on his right foot and fired it low across goal after just one minute.

Boston should have levelled six minutes later but captain Michael Bostwick could only head wide when well-placed at a free kick.

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Both teams were looking to bounce back from conceding four goals in FA Cup exits last time out, but Town were the more assured side, able to retain possession for longer and impose themselves better.

Neither Billy Waters or Jacob Hazel were involved much in the game, but Halifax at least looked like they might create something for their striker.

Apart from Bostwick's header and a deflected shot straight at Sam Johnson by winger Sam Osborne - probably Boston's best payer - the hosts toiled in a fairly disjointed fashion.

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Halifax weren't exactly creating a glut of chances either but their lead was preserved thanks to a much more controlled and disciplined display than a week ago, and the fact they were clearly playing a weaker opposition.

Boston were without a home win since the end of March and you could see why; it wasn't for lack of effort but it there was a lack of quality, with too many sloppy first touches in the final third and high balls that went nowhere other than back to Halifax with Will Smith and Jo Cummings aerially dominant.

Jack Evans and Scott High had stood out in midfield with a mix of combativeness and composure.

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It hadn't been an engrossing contest, but Town deserved their half-time lead.

There were encouraging signs for Boston after the restart though, with Osborne forcing Smith into a brilliant block before he had another shot fly a yard over.

Smith then cleared off the line after Coates beat Johnson to a through ball and set-up Hazel, and then Bostwick again headed just wide from the resulting corner.

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But Halifax withstood the Boston barrage, and it was a while until their next chance, when Keaton Ward fired straight at Johnson.

The second-half had been mostly about whether Halifax could hold onto their lead rather than add to it though, and continued in that vein when debutant Finley Welch hit the post ten minutes from time.

The fact that Adam Alimi-Adetoro was brought on for Oluwabori soon afterwards said much about where Town were at.

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The hosts were giving it everything, and had done pretty much everything but score after the interval.

Town finished with ten men after Adan George's second booking. but held on.

Boston: Stone, Coates (Rowe 62), Bostwick, Mills, Green, Richards, Welch (Maguire 82), Ward, Osborne (Aderoju 74), Hill, Hazel. Subs not used: Craven, Leak, Frostick, Marriott.

Shots on target: 3

Shots off target: 6

Corners: 6

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Halifax: Johnson, Senior, Smith, Cummings, Galvin, High (Bray 63), Evans, George, Cooke (Hoti 72), Oluwabori (Adetoro 82), Waters. Subs not used: Ford, Sutcliffe, Jenkins, Pugh.

Scorer: Oluwabori (1)

Shots on target: 2

Shots off target: 11

Corners: 3

Referee: Paul Cooper

Attendance: 1,720 (188 away)

Town man of the match: Special mention to Jack Evans, who was superb but so was Will Smith. Commanding display at the back and a couple of absolutely magnificent defensive blocks that prevented Boston goals.

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