WOOD FIRE FOR VITAL VICTORY

A GOAL in either half from Ralston Gabriel and Idris Kanu saw Boreham Wood win their first league game in nine and move seven points clear of the drop.

Gabriel, a recent signing from Haringey, turned in Wood’s opener on 41 minutes before Kanu wrapped it up in stoppage time to delighy – and bring much-needed relief to boss Luke Garrard.

“It’s been a long time since we got three points but I felt we showed endeavour in both 18-yard boxes and that’s what it takes to get three points,” he said.

“Bromley’s form has been fantastic so this is a massive win. To leave with a clean sheet as well is very pleasing. If we play like that for the remainder of the season we will pick up more points.” Wood took the lead five minutes before half time with their first genuine attempt at goal. David Stephens did well to head Sean Shields’ corner back across goal and although Kanu’s strike lacked power the ball fell fortuitously at the feet of Gabriel who poked past David Gregory.

Bromley rallied after the break but when they did threaten they found Wood keeper Ryan Huddart in fine form. First, he tipped a fizzing Raymond strike wide shortly after the restart before excelling himself palming Luke Coulson’s 25-yard piledriver onto the bar.

Wood thought they had got a second on 68 minutes when Tom Champion met Shields’ corner with a fantastic volley but Gregory produced a stunning reaction save to divert the strike over the crossbar.

Marc-Anthony Okoye saw a header cleared off the line before Wood did finally seal victory with Kanu tapping a rebound into an empty net.

Bromley manager Neil Smith said: “It was a very disappointing afternoon, I didn’t see that performance coming. We know Boreham Wood are big and physical but we should have done better.”