Match: v Boston United - LDV Vans Trophy, Southern Section Round One

Date: Wednesday, September 29th, 2004

Result: Boston 0 Cambridge Untied 1

THE JOURNEY

Departure Time: 4pm

Arrival at Ground: Uncertainties about whether we would be affected by the road closure that had obliged us to use a Plan B last time, and certainties that the traffic on the A14 wouldn't be pleasant, meant that although this was the second trip to Boston in just three and a half weeks I used a third different route to the town.

This alternative, alternative route wound between the pumpkin filled fields of Welney and Outwell. Fortunately, the many onion-laden tractors were going in the opposite direction - presumably there's no demand for onions in Boston - and we didn't encounter too many traffic delays until we reached the outskirts of Wisbech.

Nevertheless, no road to Boston is entirely straightforward and I finally parked at the ground just after 6.15pm.

AT THE GROUND

Stewards: On arrival, the steward by the car park gate gave us very clear instructions as to where we should park, but after the trouble trying to gain access to the ground via the press gate last time, I should have smelled a rat.

Oh what jolly japes these Boston stewards enjoy, as I had no sooner unpacked the broadcast kit than another steward appeared to say that I had parked in completely the wrong place. Unconcerned that I had parked where I had been instructed, Mr Worth - first name 'Jobs' - insisted I moved the car, and later strode purposefully to the new location a few minutes later just to check I had done so. I do hope I spoiled his day by being in enough time to re-park and still get into the ground to take up my favourite commentary position by the time I needed to.

The Ground: The phrase 'my favourite commentary position' may not be entirely accurate. To be honest I can think of 23 grounds in League Two alone at which it is easier to commentate - mainly because the press seats are not behind the goal in any of those other 23 grounds.

You have to be thankful for small mercies though. Last time we were there for a midweek game, it was easy to work out that the stand in which the press box is located faces directly west, as the sun dazzled you at it set behind the stand opposite.

This year though it was cloudy, so the main illumination came from the Boston Stump, picturesquely lit up behind the stand to the left of the U's fans. Boston are quite rightly proud of this unique piece of architecture and seem to have ensured that it will not be outshone by floodlights in the ground that actually made the place darker when they came on.

They are also proud of the famous people born in Boston. There's a wall of fame in the stand in which the press box is located, which includes such luminaries as John Motson and a 19th Century MP who ended it all throwing himself in Lake Michigan and is now commemorated with a statue outside McDonalds - that's a statue of the MP, not of Lake Michigan!

One person not listed on the wall of fame is Richard I, whose flag was flown proudly alongside the Cross of St George and the Union Jack from the stands at either end of the ground. It would be rather surprising if Richard I had too many fond memories of Boston though, after King John usurped his thrown and, according to legend, lost his crown in The Wash not too far from the town.

United Fans: Came in decent numbers and gave the team excellent support.

Home Fans: After a bit of drumming at the start, an increasing level of hush fell upon the home supporters.

Mascot & PA Announcer: Boston's mascot is meant, I think, to the Fen Tiger. A black, cat-like creature, it has extremely scary green eyes - although not as scary as the PA announcer's microphone technique.

There is a group of PA announcers throughout the League who do not seem to realise that a microphone with speakers amplify the voice so shouting is counter-productive. The Boston announcer is chairman of that group!

Programme: Boston's programme was the rare thing for this stage of the competition - a full-sized programme. The downside to this was that you had to pay £2.50 for the publication, but the 52 pages made a nice change from the folded A4 sheets or club calendars we have seen used in the past.

And there was an equally rare item described inside 'The Pilgrim' too - a Devon White goal mentioned in the 'Memory Match' section. U's fans of a certain age would not have been surprised to discover that it was a miscued volley that looped fortuitously over the keeper!

AFTERWARDS

The Journey Home: There were stories circulating around the ground that the road on the most direct route was actually now open, so I used a fourth route across the fens for the season. I've no doubt that should we draw them away in the FA Cup, I could find a fifth and sixth way to and from Boston just to prevent that feeling of déjà vu completely taking over.

Mileage: 150.3 miles

Total Distance for Season: 1,488 miles

Mark Johnson, with additional reporting by Gordon McMillan