CHRIS Turner called for a reality-check and fans to keep up the good work ahead of Tuesday night's clash with Boston United.

But if he wants the former he is going to have to stop his players from playing like they did in the second half against the Third Division new-boys.

It was 2-0 - with a brace from last season's top scorer Gordon Watson - and it could have been so many more.

More than 4,800 turned out to witness Pool play their first home game of the season - and the majority were not left disappointed.

Not even a pitch-side sprinkler system that burst into life half an hour from time could dampen the party atmosphere created. And all this after just two games.

Turner had warned to expect the unexpected from Boston and in the first half, after a bright opening, the hosts were a little cagey.

But once Watson had poked in Pool's first of the evening nine minutes after the interval there was no going back.

A second from the same player, a penalty, even led to the Town End's hero receiving a standing ovation from many sections of the stands when he was replaced late on by Jermaine Easter.

Boston, who drew 2-2 with Bournemouth on their League debut, knew that three points from this fixture would erase the remaining points left from the four they were docked for financial irregularities.

Turner made just one change to the starting line-up that overcame Carlisle on Saturday. Paul Arnison, creator of two goals at Brunton Park, was drafted in at the expense of 18-year-old Anthony Sweeney.

This was the first chance Pool had to gain sweet revenge for the defeat inflicted on them by Boston more than three decades ago.

It is 31 years this December since the North-East club played the Pilgrims - and on that winter's evening it was Tuesday night's visitors who recorded a 2-1 victory in an FA Cup second round tie.

But the Pool class of 2002 had perfect conditions to entertain the Lincolnshire club on Tuesday, and they quickly settled their passing game down after an early scare from Simon Weatherstone's long range effort that flew marginally wide.

There was some promising play coming from Pool's left, but it was Pool's right-back Michael Barron who had their first real shot at goal. The skipper's drive, however, failed to trouble Boston keeper Paul Bastock.

Despite some nice interplay in the early exchanges from Turner's side, Boston should have broken the deadlock after 19 minutes.

Right-midfielder Weatherstone curled over a nicely flighted corner but an unmarked ex-Scarborough midfielder Paul Ellender headed well over from eight yards.

Pool responded in the right manner. They immediately went on the offensive and were unlucky not to score through Eifion Williams, whose superbly struck right-foot volley deflected just wide.

But after that Pool's play, as the minutes ticked towards half-time, died down.

Turner needed to breathe some new life into his players, and whatever he said had the desired effect.

Three minutes after the restart a quality cross-field ball from left-midfielder Ritchie Humphreys was chested down by Gordon Watson, but his shot on the bounce was deflected into the side-netting by Jim Rodwell.

Referee Graham Salisbury and his assistant failed to spot the block, but they did spot the a touch from a Boston man when Arnison's powerful shot missed the target.

And from the resulting corner Pool grabbed the opening goal.

Humphreys's corner from the right fell to Barron at the back post, whose shot was blocked in a melee. But the ball fell nicely for Watson and the much-travelled front-man tapped in.

The nerves were settled and Pool's confidence grew - with Watson hungry for more.

Pool's top-scorer had a spectacular right-foot curler fly just wide, shortly after setting up Mark Tinkler, who shot went wide, with a Cruyff turn on the by-line.

Boston tried to pused forward, but there attacks were normally stifled.

And, after Watson had headed against the bar a Humphreys knock, the former Southampton man struck in a penalty after Tinkler was brought down in the penalty area by Boston sub Peter Costello.

MATCHFACTS

Goals: Watson (54mins, 1-0; 77, pen 2-0)

Bookings: Cook, Lee, Tinkler, Clarke, Weatherstone (foul)

Sent off: None

Attendance: 4,841

Referee: Graham Salisbury (Preston)

POOL (4-4-2): Williams 7; Barron 7, Lee 7, Westwood 8, Robinson 7; Clarke 7, Tinkler 7, Arnison 7 (Sweeney 88), Humphreys 8; WATSON 9 (Easter 88), E Williams 7 (Henderson 90). Subs (not used): Bass, Provett.

Boston (4-4-2): Bastock 6; Hocking 6, Rodwell 5, Warburton 6, Chapman 5; Weatherstone 7, Bennett 6, Ellender 6 (Costello 58, 6), Gould 5; Cook 5, Clare 6. Subs (not used): Monnington, Angel, Town, Conroy.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Gordon Watson - two goals and could have had many more.

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