Hazel's Sweet Return Leaves Boston United Striker Wanting More

There's nothing quite like a striker who's been through the medical room wringer suddenly remembering what the back of the net looks like. Jacob Hazel's return to goalscoring form couldn't have come at a sweeter time for Boston United, who picked up a valuable point in their 1-1 draw away at Wealdstone.

The striker, who has been wrestling with a long-term injury that's kept him sidelined longer than anyone would have liked, announced his comeback in the most emphatic way possible – by finding the target when it mattered. It's the kind of moment that makes all those tedious rehabilitation sessions and frustrating spells watching from the sidelines suddenly seem worthwhile.

Hazel's strike helped secure a decent point on the road for the Pilgrims, though they'll probably feel slightly miffed at not taking all three against a Wealdstone side that managed to peg them back. Still, in the unforgiving world of National League football, away points are never to be sniffed at, particularly when they come courtesy of a player who's been counting down the days until he could lace up his boots again.

The most telling aspect of Hazel's return might be his attitude toward the remainder of the campaign. Rather than simply being grateful to be back on the pitch, the striker has made it clear he's nowhere near ready to hang up his boots for the summer break. His declaration that he doesn't want the season to end speaks volumes about both his hunger to make up for lost time and his confidence in Boston United's prospects.

It's the sort of sentiment that will have the Boston faithful purring with satisfaction. After watching their striker battle through what must have felt like an eternity of injury troubles, seeing him not only back in the starting eleven but actively desperate for more football is precisely the kind of news that can galvanize a squad.

For Wealdstone, preventing Boston from taking all three points will feel like a minor victory, though they'll know that allowing visiting strikers to mark their comebacks with goals isn't exactly the stuff of defensive legends. The draw keeps both sides ticking along in what promises to be another typically bonkers National League run-in.

With Hazel back among the goals and clearly ravenous for more action, Boston United have added a significant weapon to their arsenal at just the right time. Sometimes the best signings are the ones already on your books – they just need a bit of patience and a clean bill of health.