The atmosphere at York Street, which could hold more than two thousand fans, was tense and oppressive. Thick rain clouds hung low overhead, as if a downpour could begin at any moment, mirroring the tension surrounding this highly anticipated clash between the top two teams in the National League.
The 45 minutes of the first half had ended. Only the substitutes from both sides remained on the pitch warming up, while the cheering from the stands had faded. The fans also needed a breather before the second half began.
The score on the scoreboard beside the pitch remained unchanged from 45 minutes earlier.
Boston's style of play was defensive, almost suicidally so. They were the classic type of team whose attack was built on the foundation of keeping a clean sheet, relying almost entirely on counterattacks. However, unlike New Manchester United's match against Arsenal, when Bruce had entrusted Hleb with deciding the game in the final 10 minutes after defending for the first 80, Boston intended to defend stubbornly for the full 90 minutes.
Some people might find it strange. How could a team like this climb to second place in the league?
There was nothing surprising about it. The National League was, after all, an amateur competition. The teams' tactical systems were generally not as rigorous as those in professional leagues, and their squads contained large numbers of amateur players. When they failed to break through an opponent's defence, they easily became impatient and were caught on the counter by Boston.
But New Manchester United played very steadily. Under Juninho's direction, they gave Boston no opportunities at all. However, they were equally unable to break through Boston's ironclad defence.
It was rather amusing. When New Manchester United had set up an ironclad defence against Arsenal, the fans had celebrated the victory. Now that Boston were frustrating them with the same approach, they found it difficult to accept and cursed their opponents for being shameless.
Of course, for Boston to have climbed to their current position, both their players and head coach had to possess a certain level of ability, especially in the tactics they had devised to contain New Manchester United.
Žigić, who had performed excellently this season, had made almost no impact in this match. He was tightly marked by the opposition's two centre-backs. Whenever New Manchester United carried the ball into Boston's half, Boston would deliberately commit fouls before they reached the final 35 metres because they feared Juninho's outstanding free-kick ability.
These were all tactics New Manchester United had once used to suppress their opponents, but now they were being used against them.
On the surface, New Manchester United had firmly controlled the first half, but they had created very few genuine chances. With their main attacking weapon, Žigić, completely contained, most of New Manchester United's attacking threat had disappeared.
"We could see in the first half that New Manchester United's powerful attack was completely neutralised by Boston United. This is the first time this season that New Manchester United have been forced into such a difficult position by an opponent. In the closing stages of the first half, we could even see clear signs of frustration among their players. We have every reason to believe that Boston will be even more proactive in the second half!"
This clash between the top two teams in the table had attracted a live broadcast from a local East Midlands television station, which had also invited a veteran supporter to provide commentary. However, the commentator was clearly on Boston's side.
"I paid close attention during the first half. New Manchester United won a total of 13 free-kicks in the attacking third, but all of them were some distance from goal. I believe this was something Boston specifically planned before the match. After all, the opposition have an outstanding free-kick specialist. Once they win a set-piece within 35 metres, his technique poses a huge threat to us."
"In addition, we have also tightly restricted New Manchester United's two flanks. Combined with the fact that the tall centre-forward Žigić has been contained, their attacking firepower has been completely neutralised. At the same time, their defensive line is pushing further and further forward, leaving plenty of space behind for us to exploit on the counterattack. This is an excellent opportunity, and I believe Boston's head coach will certainly recognise it!"
"The players from both sides are returning to the pitch. We can see that Boston have made no changes to their lineup, and the team's fastest striker, number 9, remains on the field. It is clear that Boston intend to use his pace to launch counterattacks while continuing to threaten New Manchester United's defensive line."
"Wait, New Manchester United are making the first substitutions."
As the commentator spoke, the assistant referee on the touchline had already raised the electronic board. Number 11 Crouch replaced number 18 Krzynówek, while number 20 Kitson came on for left-back Patrice Evra.
Even the commentator was surprised that New Manchester United had made two substitutions at the start of the second half, especially since both players coming on were strikers.
However, when Crouch and Kitson lined up alongside Žigić, every Boston supporter in the stadium, including the television commentator, gasped in shock.
Žigić stood at 2.02 metres, Crouch at 2.01 metres, and Kitson at 1.91 metres. With these three giants leading the line, New Manchester United clearly intended to bombard Boston's ironclad defence throughout the remaining half.
On the touchline, Bruce stood with his arms folded across his chest. He smiled confidently at Cassel beside him and said, "Do you think Boston can defend against three tall strikers charging into the penalty area?"
Cassel smiled wryly. It would be difficult to find another team in the world like New Manchester United, one that possessed three tall and powerful strikers at the same time. Although Crouch was not as strong in the air as the other two, his technique was excellent. With him supporting the two powerful centre-forwards, Žigić and Kitson, even if Boston's defence were made of iron and steel, it would probably still be breached.
After Crouch and Kitson came on, Olić moved to the left side of midfield, but Bruce instructed him to drop deeper and help defensively. The technically gifted Hleb was given responsibility for both flanks. Meanwhile, Abidal, Distin, and Stansson formed a three-man defence. New Manchester United had therefore switched to a 3-4-3.
However, Bruce's improvised 3-4-3 was clearly not designed merely to strengthen the attack. Juninho dropped deeper alongside Poulsen in defensive midfield, though he remained primarily responsible for organising play. With Olić also tracking back, New Manchester United's defensive cover had not weakened, while their attack had become considerably more threatening.
Wasn't 4-4-2 said to be England's most iconic formation, while the long ball was its most admired attacking method, simple, direct, and dangerous?
In the first half, New Manchester United had fielded only one target man, who had been tightly marked by Boston's two centre-backs. In the second half, Bruce simply sent on three target men. Now, let them try to mark all three!
Žigić and Kitson were both excellent in the air and physically powerful. Although Crouch was not quite as strong as the other two, his height advantage was obvious, and his excellent technique made him the link between Žigić and Kitson on the pitch.
New Manchester United then began playing long balls with absolute determination. They completely bypassed the midfield and the area 35 metres from goal, where they had been dragged into a battle with Boston during the first half. Their three strikers constantly pushed into the penalty area, while Juninho, Poulsen, and the others behind them launched long passes into the box as soon as they won possession.
With their height and strength, Žigić and Kitson could usually win the first ball. From there, they could either lay it off to Crouch, who always stayed close, or find the roaming Hleb, allowing the front four to combine among themselves.
By bringing on two strikers at the same time, Bruce was also sending a clear message to the players on the pitch. This match had to be won!
As for the impatience mentioned by the commentator, Bruce had already prepared a solution. During half-time, he had instructed Juninho to control the team's tempo.
Juninho was an intelligent player. At the start of the second half, when he saw that Boston were stunned by the sight of three tall centre-forwards, he immediately took command and led his teammates in launching a fierce assault on their goal.
The Boston players, who had originally been positioned to defend around midfield, could only look up as the ball flew back and forth over their heads without touching the ground. However, New Manchester United's long balls were launched with attacking intent, while Boston's long balls were merely desperate clearances.
It was with this thoroughly English long-ball approach that New Manchester United blasted open Boston's defence.
In the 51st minute, Kitson received a long pass from the back and headed it down to the nearby Crouch. Crouch used his long legs to flick the ball nimbly into Žigić's path, and the striker unleashed a fierce shot into the net. 0-1!
After scoring, New Manchester United were like starving tigers that had caught the scent of blood. They bared their fangs and continued charging at Boston.
In the 54th minute, another long pass came from the back. Žigić headed the ball towards goal, but the goalkeeper punched it out of the penalty area. Hleb collected the loose ball and crossed to the far post, where Kitson had been waiting to head home from close range. 0-2!
Conceding two goals in less than 5 minutes dealt Boston a tremendous blow. More importantly, New Manchester United showed no sign of easing off after taking the lead and continued attacking with the same intensity. Boston's head coach began to panic and immediately brought on another centre-back in an attempt to plug the gaps in his defence.
The substitution had some effect, but it still failed to stop New Manchester United's attacks.
At that moment, Juninho fulfilled the role expected of the team's playmaker. Seeing that Boston's defence had regained some organisation, he immediately slowed the attacking tempo. He even began circulating the ball patiently across the back to reduce the pace of the match.
As New Manchester United slowed down, Boston's anxious players breathed a sigh of relief and also began to settle. However, just as they thought New Manchester United intended to continue playing at a slower pace, Juninho suddenly sent a long diagonal pass towards the left flank.
Hleb accelerated onto it, brought the ball under control, and delivered a cross. Žigić met it at the near post and powered the ball into the net. 0-3!
That goal completely extinguished Boston's hopes of drawing level. Their head coach also took the opportunity to remove their only striker, number 9, and bring on a defensive midfielder to strengthen the defence, effectively conceding the match.
Then, in the 75th minute, New Manchester United scored again through Kitson, completing a comprehensive 0-4 victory in this decisive battle, which many believed could determine promotion to League Two this season.
(To be continued.)
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