‘CRIMINAL’ WOOD ARE BERATED BY GARRARD

ANGRY Luke Garrard labelled his Boreham Wood side’s performance as ‘criminal’ as they were sent spinning into the relegation zone for the first time this season by a clinical Dagenham & Redbridge at Meadow Park.

Two goals from Josh Rees and a goal a piece from Ryan Hill and Inih Effiong saw the visitors race into a four-goal first-half lead before Kabongo Tshimanga pulled one back just before the break for Wood, who failed to test Elliot Justham’s goal any further.

It culminated in a fifth straight defeat for Garrard’s men, who are now in serious danger of relegation, three points adrift of safety having played two games more than Wealdstone above them.

“It was extremely poor,” boss Garrard moaned. “You speak all week about the importance of getting a result today but we didn’t look like a side who needed three points, we looked like a side who were going through the motions.

“I’m telling myself that I’ve got to go careful here because I want to out a few but that’s not what I want from a team who are fighting for their status in the National League.

“It was criminal in the first half and it’s hugely frustrating.”

Dagenham took the lead with their first meaningful attack on eight minutes. Dion Pereira played a great ball to former Wood midfielder Josh Rees whose first time finish gave Nathan Ashmore no chance in the Wood goal.

Ashmore did brilliantly then to keep out efforts from Ryan Hill and Rees before Inih Effiong fired wide with the goal gaping. But, on 24 minutes, the Daggers did eventually double their lead, Rees again finishing from close range.

And nine minutes later, it was 3-0, courtesy of Hill’s shot from outside the penalty area which left Ashmore clutching at thin air.

Effiong compounded the misery with a fourth on 45 minutes with an outstanding free kick before Wood pulled a goal back seconds later – Kabongo Tshimanga producing an exquisite chip over Justham following a slip by defender Tom Eastman.

Wood showed more fight at the start of the second half – Matt Robinson’s header forcing an excellent save from Justham.

Dagenham’s David LongeKing had an effort ruled out by referee for offside and this sparked Wood into a spirted finale.

Lee Ndlovu headed over on 70 minutes when he really should have scored, while Justham kept out efforts from Robinson and Tyrone Marsh.

Rees almost got his hattrick for the Daggers but fired just wide when well placed, but boss Ben Strevens was still left a proud manager.

“We were clinical with our chances in the first half,” Strevens said. “While it was more difficult to maintain this in the second half, we were well in control of the game. Full credit to the players.”