Boston United ready for season opener

Source: Boston Standard

Published Date: 13 August 2009

Thursday, 3pm

LIAM Parker hopes he is heading for a repeat success at FC United of Manchester.

Boston United kick off their UniBond Premier season at Gigg Lane on Saturday – with the Pilgrims utility man aiming to once again score the goals which can outdo their north-west rivals.

Boston recorded two victories at FC United last campaign. After Ollie Ryan gave the amber and blacks a 1-0 league victory, Parker powered home two headers as Boston earned a 3-1 FA Trophy win.

"I scored twice in a game there last season and I'd love to get two more on Saturday and help us get off to a good start," he told The Standard.

"Pre-season's gone well for us but the aim is to kick on in the league and get a good result as quickly as possible."

Parker believes that competition for places will spur him on to improve as a player this season, but he also believes new managers Paul Hurst and Rob Scott have instilled a 'winning mentality' into the squad.

He added: "They've been working us hard in training. It's been a lot tougher than last season.

"They've made us want to win everything, every single game in training. Now I want to start well, start in the team and keep my place."

And if anyone doubted the drive behind the management – who took Ilkeston Town to UniBond Premier promotion last season – Scott moved quickly to stop those fears.

The Pilgrims enjoyed an unbeaten pre-season and Scott hopes that run continues, saying: "I've heard people suggest teams that do well in pre-season don't do well in league matches. But that's rubbish.

"If it's a league game or a friendly it's the same, I want to win, and it's the same for Paul. There seems to be a mentality in this country that it's OK to just perform well.

"But if you're involved in sport you should always want to win. I'm like that, whether it's football or tiddlywinks, and the players realise that."

Scott and Hurst were both Robins players when Ilkeston lost 3-1 at FC United last campaign. After that experience, Scott has warned his players what to expect.

"We've got to be physically strong," he said.

"Some players may not have played in front of such a big crowd before, so we need to start strong and work our way in to the match more.

"I think outside of the Football League this will be one of the biggest matches."

Boston defender Lee Canoville is an injury doubt while Adam Millson and Shaun Pearson are still returning from injury.

Anthony Church misses the game through suspension, but Gainsborough Trinity midfielder Matt Austin has joined on an initial month's loan as cover.

FC United versus Boston United kicks off at Gigg Lane at 3pm