WOOD CALL THE SHOTS!
BOREHAM Wood produced a perfect away performance to keep alive Luke Garrard’s dream of leaving the club in the National League, as abject Aldershot Town saw their playoff hopes suffer.
Wood had the game won in the first 15 minutes, to augment last weekend’s comfortable victory against Wealdstone but Garrard’s message was cautionary after their first away win since early February.
“It feels good, there’s not been many weekends where we’ve had the luxury of enjoying a result like this but I caveat that with we have a big game against Rochdale (on Tuesday) and we have to make sure we come away with three points,” said the visiting boss, who felt news of his own departure at the end of the season has given his players renewed certainty and belief.
“Since that news broke, there’s no uncertainty anymore. The weight on my shoulders has lifted and that’s probably reflected in the performances of the players. They’ve got my back and they’ve got this club’s back. It means a lot to them. But the work ain’t done yet.”
The visitors raced into an early two-goal lead and thereafter were able to defend that advantage all-too-easily against a Shots side almost entirely bereft of the verve, hunger and irresistible attacking threat which has characterised their resurgent home form this season.
In just the tenth minute, Lee Ndlovu picked up a weak defensive touch and was allowed to drift forward and fire a 15-yard drive across Jordi van Stappershoef. Five minutes later, several home defenders hesitated as a cross skidded into the box and for the second week running Ryan Glover was induced into a rash challenge. David Agbontohoma was tripped and Erico Sousa netted the penalty.
Despite what had felt like a positive start before the two goals, the hosts barely mustered a response and Boreham Wood were superior in every department – dominating midfield and exerting their physical prowess all across the pitch.
They sealed the win midway through the second half as Kabongo Tshimanga rolled Haji Mnoga in controlling a pass from deep and fired home.
Nathan Ashmore’s only save of note came in the closing minutes, parrying Jack Barham’s header, but for long periods it was the visitors who looked more likely to score again.
Tommy Widdrington’s side have faded badly but a rise from 18th last season still represents major progress for the National League’s youngest squad. “We struggled to handle their way of playing,” he said.
“They were physically stronger than us and you’ve got to tip your hat to them. But there’s two games left and if it takes us winning those two games to sneak in, it would be a fantastic achievement.”
STAR MAN: Chris Bush (Boreham Wood)
ATT: 3,050
ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★
REFEREE: Garreth Rhodes