Battling Boston beaten at Eastleigh as Aboh effort ruled out
Sunday 25 October 2026 · By Nina Pardoe
Boston United twice came from behind at Eastleigh on Saturday, but they were beaten 4–2 at the Silverlake Stadium and remain in the Enterprise National League relegation zone.
Paul Hurst made five changes to his side, according to the club and Lincolnshire World, with Teale missing through injury.
Eastleigh’s Aaron Blair opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, but Boston levelled five minutes later. Lenell John-Lewis scored from the penalty spot, after Ollie Bostock was fouled.
Blair put Eastleigh back in front in the 29th minute, but Boston hit back again two minutes later through Jake Rooney. It was a lively first half, and Eastleigh manager Matt Gray later described it as “basketball”.
Rankine volleyed Eastleigh into a 3–2 lead in the 60th minute. Boston thought they had equalised late on through Ken Aboh, but the goal was ruled out for handball, according to BBC Sport.
Blair then completed his hat-trick in the fourth minute of added time to seal the win.
The club said 125 Boston supporters made the trip south, and they saw a battling performance from their side, even if it ended in defeat.
The result leaves Boston 21st in the table, the top place in the relegation zone, on 12 points from 14 games. They have three wins, three draws and eight defeats.
They are two points behind 20th-placed Tamworth, who also have a game in hand after their game at Gateshead was postponed. The clubs from 21st to 24th are relegated.
Boston’s recent form has been a concern. They have lost their last three league games, according to BBC Sport’s form guide, and they will be keen to stop the run.
The fixture list offers a big chance. Boston host bottom club Gateshead on Tuesday night, with kick-off at 7.45pm GMT. Gateshead are 10 points from safety and have won only once all season, so it is a game Boston will expect to win.
On Saturday, Boston host Scunthorpe United, with kick-off at 5.30pm GMT. Scunthorpe are 22nd, two points behind Boston, so it is another important game at the bottom of the table.
Boston are out of the FA Cup, so they have no first-round tie on 7 November. That gives Hurst more time to prepare his squad for the league.
Two home games in five days could shape Boston’s season. Six points would lift them out of the relegation zone, at least for now, and give them real momentum.
The challenge is to turn battling performances into results. Boston showed at Eastleigh that they can score goals and come back from behind, but they need to tighten up at the back.
They have conceded 27 league goals this season, and keeping clean sheets will be key in the weeks ahead. If Boston can do that, they have the quality to climb clear of trouble.
Boston United left York Street in 2020 for this purpose-built ground on Pilgrim Way in Wyberton, just south of the town (PE21 7NE). Officially the Boston Community Stadium and currently sponsored as the Jakemans Community Stadium, it holds 5,061 and feels modern, compact and easy to read. The Pilgrims play on a grass pitch of 105m by 68m. For visiting supporters the important fact is simple: you are not in a separate end. Until the South Stand is built, away fans occupy the southern half of the East Stand terrace.
The West Stand is the main seated side. It is deeper than the other sides, houses the ticket office, club shop, Ellenders bar, hospitality and the dugouts. The North Stand, still nicknamed the Town End, is a covered terrace and the noisiest home area. The East Stand is a lower terrace split down the middle: home fans use the northern half (turnstile E1); away fans use the southern half (turnstile E2), with their own snack bar and toilets. The south side is still open space. Foundations exist and a South Stand, expected to become the permanent away end plus a community sports hub, is planned, but on matchday you will look across an empty sideline.
Buy tickets in advance through the club site if you can. On the day, the ticket office is in the West Stand; turnstiles take card or contactless, not cash. Prices move a little each season, but expect seated tickets in the West Stand to cost more than terrace tickets in the East. Under-fives are usually free and concessions typically cover over-65s and younger students with ID. Check your club’s allocation and whether segregation is in force for your fixture. Stewards will point you to E2. Views from the away terrace are close and unobstructed; the stand is only a few steps high, so arrive early if you want a rail.
The ground sits off the A16, not in the town centre. Official stadium parking is for permit holders only; casual cars are turned away. Street parking around The Quadrant is possible if you are considerate of residents. Costa on the retail park sometimes sells spaces. From Boston station it is an unlovely 30–40 minute walk along busy roads. A matchday shuttle has run from the Len Medlock Centre via Boots and the Quayside Hotel; local Brylaine routes K58 (Wallace Way, a short walk) and B13 (Tytton Lane East) are useful. Taxis from the station are the simplest option — Acorn on 01205 358358 is the usual first call. There is no Uber.
Ellenders in the West Stand is the club bar and is often open to visiting fans before kick-off, though alcohol cannot be taken in view of the pitch on National League days. Fast food (Greggs, Burger King, Papa Johns, Costa) sits on the adjacent retail park; a Travelodge is opposite the ground. In town, The Eagle near the station is the classic pre-match pint. Programmes are sold around the concourses. Bags may be searched. Use the footpaths beside the A16 rather than grass verges, and give yourself time: this is a tidy new ground in an awkward spot, and the away corner of the East Stand fills quickly on a decent following.