Bostonvs.Fylde

The home side, who are in 22nd position, trail their opponents who are a place higher by three points, each side at risk of being cut adrift without putting together a run of positive form.

Match preview

Having earned promotion from the National League North last season, it was always going to be difficult for Boston United to make an immediate impact.

However, manager Ian Culverhouse would not have anticipated the 10-match winless streak in all competitions that has recently been put together by his side.

As well as four successive defeats coming in the fifth tier, Boston lost 4-0 at home to seventh-tier Gainsborough Trinity in their FA Cup fourth qualifying round replay last week.

Improvements were made to only succumb 1-0 to Halifax Town at the weekend, but Culverhouse is aware that his side are at risk of losing touch with 20th position.

Boston are now five points adrift of that spot at a time when they are still searching for their first home victory in the league all season.

Meanwhile, AFC Fylde have recently appointed Kevin Phillips as their new manager in an attempt to help the side up the table.

Rather than begin on a positive note, the Sunderland legend has instead overseen defeats where Fylde have conceded four times in both matches.

A 4-1 loss at home to Rochdale was followed by a 4-0 reverse at Dagenham & Redbridge, the Coasters having now gone 11 games in all competitions without a clean sheet.

On the same evening that Boston will be attempting to end an eight-game league run with no home league wins, Fylde will be hoping to improve on just one point being accumulated from seven away matches.

Boston United National League form:

D

D

L

L

L

L

Boston United form (all competitions):

L

L

L

D

L

L

Fylde National League form:

W

D

L

L

W

L

Fylde form (all competitions):

D

L

L

W

L

L

Team News

With Boston having only lost to a first-minute goal last time out, Culverhouse will give consideration to selecting the same starting lineup.

Much may depend on how he wants to line up in defence with skipper Zak Mills having featured at right-back and centre-back in recent matches.

Pemi Aderoju is one of the attacking players who is in contention for a recall.

Meanwhile, Phillips will inevitably make alterations to his Fylde XI with his defensive players particularly at risk of dropping down to the substitutes' bench.

Harry Davis and Emeka Obi could both start in the centre of the backline, while Jonathan Ustabasi made his return as a replacement last time out and may feature on the flank.

That said, Gavin Massey is also in line for a recall in the same position and could get the nod.

Boston United possible starting lineup:

Stone; Coates, Bostwick, Mills, Green; Richards, Hill, Welch; Osborne, Hazel, Ward

Fylde possible starting lineup:

Winterbottom; Gamble, Obi, Long, McFayden; Mitchell, Riley; Jolley, Haughton, Massey; Zanzala

We say: Boston United 1-2 Fylde

In terms of form, there is not too much to separate these teams right now, yet we cannot ignore how Boston capitulated in the FA Cup last week. With that in mind, we are backing a narrow triumph for the away side.

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