Pre Season Friendly.
Boreham Wood 0 Cambridge United 0,
by John Mead.
The evening gave Ian Allinson a chance to try out options and get a good look at his side after two gruelling tests against Brentford and Arsenal.
Facing a Division Two side they met a side much like themselves, who give very little away, hence the scoreline.
Several perceived first choice starting eleven were left on the bench for the game, giving the likes of triallist Steve Smith, formerly of Bromley and Dover Athletic the chance to impress. He performed well at left back for the opening half, before plying his trade in the middle of a back four after the break.
Scott Thomas continued to impress in the middle of the park, this time partnering Sam Cox, who played the full 90 minutes.
Smith used his long throw in to set up Callum Donnelly for an early effort which went high, before the impressive Harrison Dunk, another former Bromley player missed the target with a free kick for the U’s.
Wood played some good attacking football, yet a very assured defence marshalled by Tom Bonner gave visiting keeper Chris Dunn all the protection he could wish for. He was called upon after 22 minutes, when Graeme Montgomery found the target from a set play, his low driven effort met by a diving save.
Tom Elliott at the other end was given a hard task to control a straight ball through the middle and failed to test James Russell who was rarely called upon the whole evening, a testament to the fine defensive performance that took place before him.
Lee Angol was a handful for the visitors, a threat that was missing after his withdrawal at half time.
Ricky Shakes was busy all over the park and made a fine interception to break up a dangerous move which Greg Taylor looked to finish. The last chance of the half fell to Donnelly who shape a fine curling drive that was well read by Dunn between the posts.
A raft of substitutions followed the interval, with Dunk skying a shot when well placed, a feat which Matty Whichelow replicated at the other end. Defences were well on top as Allison replaced tired legs with youth, giving first year PASE product George Beattie and Jack Vasey a run out.
The visitors tried hard to find a winner, a move involving Tom Champion, Taylor and Dunk ended with an over hit cross, with both sides finding it difficult to produce a final ball of quality into danger.
After the game a very satisfied Ian Allinson summarised, “ I was very pleased with all of them, we looked bright and sharp against Division Two opposition. I had a chance to look at options and get minutes into those who needed it. Mario Noto was given the task of playing at right back and did not disappoint, whilst our midfield looked superb 
tonight, with Sam Cox partnering Scott Thomas. Both did extremely well. We do need to transfer the energy to in front of goal however and we are looking to bring in one or two more to help the cause. In Lee Angol I have a player that will just keep on getting better but of course he needs support.”
Wood have two matches in as many days now, starting with the visit of a full strength Watford side on Thursday evening. The following night Reading are the visitors, who have decided to bring a mixed squad of First team players and youth, giving Wood a tough couple of fixtures to negotiate!
Team: Russell, Noto ( Nunn 84), Smith, Cox, Reynolds ( Hope 45), Hill ( Garrard 70), Shakes ( Vasey 82), Thomas ( Morgan 45), Angol ( Sterling-Parker 45), Donnelly ( Beattie 79), Montgomery ( Whichelow 45).
Subs not used: Courtnage.
