TOWN'S second string had to make do with a Route I strike from Akpo Sodje to beat plucky Boston 1-0 at York Street last night in the Pontin's Division I East.
The victory - ensured by a twice-taken penalty save from Jacob Giles - came at a cost, however, with skipper Robbie Edwards being forced off suffering an Achilles injury after 57 minutes.
Town looked dangerous in attack and were able to cope with anything thrown at them in defence.
It was no surprise when their goal came in the 13th minute. Midfielder Adnan Ahmed, who grafted effectively throughout the game, got possession in Town's half and his long lob over two defenders fell precisely into the path of the unmarked Akpo Sodje.
He took a couple of paces forward, set sights and rifled an unstoppable 30-yard shot into the left-hand corner past the helpless James Coates in goal.
At the other end, agile Academy keeper Giles made two spectacular saves from a double penalty in the 16th minute and both were taken by Boston's much-travelled midfielder Tom Bennett.
Referee Amy Rayner judged centre-back Nat Brown to have pushed former England Schools' midfielder Lee Thompson in the box.
Giles leapt high to his right to brilliantly tip Bennett's shot round the post but referee Rayner, not satisfied as Town's young keeper had moved too soon, blew for a retake. This time Giles dived to his right again to stop a hard, low shot.
That was Boston's only real chance to get back in the game. Town spent the rest of the match peppering the Boston goal with shots and defending solidly when necessary.
Edwards' injury was the only post-match worry for Town, and he was having stitches in a stud wound today.
Yellow cards were shown to Brown, Sodje and Fowler.
Town - Giles, Hardy, Edwards (Hand 57), McCombe, T Clarke, Brown, Ahmed, Fowler, McAliskey, A Sodje (Young 85), Schofield.
