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Ellie has points to make
RETURNING Pilgrim Paul Ellender has told the Boston United fans he is back for points… not praise.
The last time Ellender walked out on the York Street turf was as one of the half time Legends guests in October, when he received rapturous applause from the supporters.
But plaudits have never been as important to the centre back as winning football matches, precisely why manager Steve Welsh has drafted Ellender in on loan.
Tonight (Wednesday, KO 7.45pm) he will reignite his love affair with the home fans and pull on the amber and black shirt once again as United host Prescot Cables in a contest vital to the Pilgrims' UniBond Premier survival.
"It'll be a special occasion tonight," Ellender said. "But it's not special for me, it's special for the team.
"For me, the important thing is three points. I'm looking forward to going back and seeing the fans again – but look at the table and you know it's not the most important thing."
Ellender – the Conference-winning captain and record signing, arriving from Scarborough for 30,000 in 2002 – has returned on a month's loan from Blue Square North play-off chasers Alfreton Town.
Having left United in the summer, he returns unable to believe the situation the Pilgrims are stuck in.
He added: "It's terrible. We were doing well in a league last season and suddenly we get relegated to the UniBond.
"Obviously the league position doesn't make us look good at all. I'm gutted and no-one here's happy about it.
"If you asked me three years ago I would never have said the club would be where we are now."
Boston's relegation rivals Buxton and Matlock face one another this evening, and with Witton Albion playing Ashton last night, three points could offer them a healthier-looking league position.
But victories have been scarce for the Pilgrims due to their poor form in front of goal.
They have scored just twice in their past 13 league contests and have not found the back of the net for more than eight-and-a-half hours of UniBond Premier action.
This was summed up when three golden chances were wasted during Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Kendal Town.
But Ellender – who spent five years with Boston in the Football League – is undaunted.
He told The Standard: "If you look at the positives, we're still creating chances. It just needs a bit of luck and we'll get that confidence back.
"I'm here to help the club get out of this."
Leading scorer Ollie Ryan (22 goals) will join Michael Wood, Steve Melton and Danny Matson on the injury list, but strikers Kieran Leabon and Micky Nuttell could possibly be involved this evening against a Cables side one place, and four points, below United in the relegation zone.
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Weather for Boston, Lincolnshire
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -0 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light snow
Temperature: -5 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South
