Get the lowdown on our next opponents: Boston United.

The Opposition

Boston United’s National League return miraculously brought a second season under the guidance of now-former manager Graham Coughlan, who led the Pilgrims to the greatest of escapes last term.

Having ended a 22-year absence from the fifth tier with a 2-1 win over Brackley Town in the 2023/24 National League North play-off final, Boston subsequently endured a difficult time of it in their immediate return, and led to the dismissal of Ian Culverhouse midway through the campaign. Incoming boss Coughlan took charge with the Pilgrims sat 23rd and seven points from safety, but he defied all the odds by guiding them to a run of 20 points from nine matches, leading them outside of the relegation zone having been 12 points from safety at the start of the month, and was a feat that saw Coughlan named Manager of the Month for March 2025. The club soon secured safety in their penultimate match of the season, an achievement that Coughlan himself labelled ‘a miracle’, but his time at the Jakemans Community Stadium came to an end as a recently as last month, with a run of one win in 11 league games leaving the club 17th in the National League.

Former Grimsby Town manager Paul Hurst has since taken the reins in Lincolnshire, and has so far picked up four points from his opening three league games despite losing his maiden match in charge, picking up an high-scoring draw and an impressive win over promotion-chasing Southend United and Boreham Wood.

Jordy Hiwula got the winner in the latter, making it four goals since his arrival from Morecambe last summer, with the experienced striker proving to be an important member of the Pilgims’ frontline alongside talisman Lennel John-Lewis, who has notched ten goals in all competitions for the club.

As such, Boston have ensured a smooth transition following notable departures last summer, including Keaton Ward, Cameron Gregory, Jai Rowe and Tom Leak, Michael Bostwick, Kieran Coates, Adam Marriott, Cameron Green, Brad Nicholson and Mitchell Roberts. Captain Zak Mills had continued to be a regular and consistent part of the backline until sustaining an injury in November, but the likes of Matty Carson, Oison Gallagher and Connor Teale have successfully filled that gap in defence, while Greg Sloggett has taken the armband and been a crucial cog in the centre of the park, with only fellow midfielder Dylan Hill playing more games than his counterpart (33).

Looking ahead, Boston finally ended a nine-game winless run in all competitions with victory last time out in Hertfordshire, and will be aiming to increase the gap on the bottom four to make it three successive seasons in the fifth tier for the first time since the 1990s.

The Manager

Paul Hurst

Paul Hurst returned to Boston towards the start of January, replacing the outgoing Graham Coughlan following his controversial dismissal.

The former left back, who notably made over 400 appearances for Rotherham United across a 15-year spell, hung up his boots in 2008 after a brief loan spell at Burton Albion and made the transition into management with spells in charge of Ilkeston Town, Boston and Grimsby Town, kicking off his partnership with former Sutton defender Rob Scott by taking joint charge at all three.

The pair led Ilkeston from ninth in the league to second, and ultimately promotion to the Conference North via the play-offs following a 2–1 victory over Nantwich Town in the final, prior to their move to Boston, where they enjoyed great success between 2009 and 2011, winning three trophies in 2009/10, including promotion via the UniBond Premier League play-offs.

The Pilgrims were well set for another promotion when Grimsby came calling for the duo in March 2011, with Hurst going on to take sole charge after two years, and maintaining that position for another three.

He subsequently twice guided the Mariners to promotion from the National League, in 2016 and 2022, with the second coming after spells away from Blundell Park in the form of stints at Shrewsbury Town, Ipswich Town and Scunthorpe United, winning League One Manager of the Year in his debut season with Salop as they reached both the play-off final and EFL Trophy final.

After returning to Grimsby though, he managed to lead them back to League Two with victories over Notts County, Wrexham and Solihull Moors in the play-offs, seeing them bounce straight back at the first time of asking after he had failed to keep them in the division upon his return, before ending an eight-year association with the Mariners when he was dismissed in 2023, with a brief return to Shrewsbury preceding his appointment at Boston at the start of the year.

Photo Credit: Chris Bray

One to Watch

Ken Aboh

Norwich City loanee Ken Aboh has enjoyed a successful opening few months at Boston United, twice seeing his loan extended as a result of his excellent form on the flank.

A product of the Norwich academy, Aboh turned professional in 2022 after a prolific spell within the youth setup, and received praise from then-Canaries manager Johannes Hoff Thorup, having been a regular part of the team as he rose from Under-18 level, scoring bags of goals in the process.

After attracting interest from lower league opposition, he signed on loan for Stevenage in August 2024 and appeared a handful of times during his brief stint in Hertfordshire, having made his debut with 24 hours of his move being completed, scoring once; the third goal in a 4-0 EFL Trophy win over Burton Albion.

He later moved on loan to Colchester United after returning to Norwich in January 2025, making the move to Essex the following month, before gaining the opportunity to play more than he ever has before with a move to Boston back in November.

Joining on an initial one-month deal, the forward impressed at the Jakemans Community Stadium and saw his loan extended twice, first until January before opting to remain with the Pilgrims until the end of the season.

He has made 14 appearances for the club, being deployed primarily on the right flank, and scored his first goal in a 2-1 defeat to FC Halifax Town last month. Nonetheless, he has received plaudits for his energy on the wing and was named in the division’s Team of the Week after contributing to Boston’s first win in nine outings, with Jordy Hiwula notching a dramatic winner against Boreham Wood last time out.

Recent Form

Boreham Wood 1-2 Boston United

Boston United 1-2 West Ham United

Boston United 3-3 Southend United

FC Halifax Town 2-1 Boston United

Braintree Town 0-0 Boston United

Boston United 1-2 Eastleigh

Last Time Out

Jordy Hiwula scored a late winner as Boston United recorded a crucial victory over nine-man Boreham Wood at Meadow Park on Saturday afternoon.

United trailed 1-0 at half-time courtesy of Abdul Abdulmalik’s speculative effort in stoppage time but the match swung decisively six minutes after the break when Femi Ilesanmi was red-carded for pulling back Ken Aboh in the box – and Lenell John-Lewis converted from the penalty spot.

Regan Booty subsequently received his marching orders for foul and abusive language towards referee Alan Dale – and United capitalised with substitute Hiwula bagging the decisive goal nine minutes from time, slamming home the follow-up after Nathan Ashmore had denied Jordan Richards.

Photo Credit: Chris Bray

Photo Credit: Boston United Football Club