LUKE FUMES AS OUT OF SORTS WOOD SLIP AGAIN

FURIOUS Luke Garrard admitted his Boreham Wood side had “hit a wall” after an eighth league game without a win further dented their play-off hopes.

Garrard’s men haven’t won a game since their famous FA Cup fifth round tie at Everton and they now lie seven points adrift of the play-off places, albeit with two games in hand.

But their misery was Dover’s joy as Andy Hessenthaler’s men recorded only a second win of the season to move onto zero points for the campaign following their 12-point summer deduction.

The Whites, who went into the game winless in 11, took the lead on seven minute when Will Evans brought down Michael Gyasi, who picked himself up to convert the resulting penalty.

But their joy was short lived as Scott Boden levelled two minutes later, firing home from 12 yards after being found by Dennon Lewis.

Dover regained the lead on the half-hour mark with an excellent finish from Koby Arthur and held on to subject Wood to only a second home defeat of the season.

“We lost fair and square and were poor,” Garrard said ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Wealdstone. “We are way off at the moment and have hit a wall.”

Dover gave notice of their intention to frustrate as early as the second minute when George Wilkinson’s shot was deflected narrowly wide. But they were in front five minutes later when Evans was adjudged to have brought down Gyasi and the Whites front man sent Taye Ashby–Hammond the wrong way from the spot.

Wood’s response was swift. Two minutes later an excellent run and cross by Lewis created a chance for Boden who finished well past Alexis Andre in the Dover goal.

But Dover weren’t going to fold and they were back in front on the half-hour with the goal of the game, – Arthur’s exquisite chip into the corner of the net that gave Ashby-Hammond no chance.

Wood showed precious little conviction at the start of the second half and it was the visitors who came closest to scoring early on when an Arjanit Krasniqi free kick sailed over the crossbar.

Tyrone Marsh rattled the post for Wood from Adrian Clifton’s cross but that was about all Wood could muster as battling Dover put their bodies on the line.

Indeed, Arthur nearly wrapped it up with a third goal on 83 minutes but this time fired wide. Similarly, Wood’s Jacob Mendy Mendy shot wide when well placed – it was just one of those days for the home side.

Delighted Dover boss Andy Hessenthaler said: “The boys put in a real shift and got what we deserved today. Kobi Arthur’s goal was fantastic and worthy of being a winning goal.”