Boreham Wood ran away 0-3 winners as they claimed a dominant victory at Ebbsfleet United, managed by former Wood favourite Daryl McMahon.

Angelo Balanta deservedly broke the deadlock in the 35th minute, with a stunning effort on the edge of the area.

Jamie Turley (49) doubled the scoring early in the second half, with a similarly spectacular strike. Joe Quigley then added a third thanks to some smart footwork in the 66th minute.

Tom Champion had returned to the back three, with Mark Ricketts in central midfield, alongside Keiran Murtagh. Danny Woodards slotted in at left wing-back.

It was a quiet start from both sides, with Ebbsfleet claiming the first chance of the game. Luke Coulson had countered for the Fleet and looked through on goal, but for a superb challenge from Turley.

The Wood’s first effort came on the 15-minute mark, as Murtagh saw a shot blocked and Quigley poked wide, when surrounded by defenders.

Experienced Fleet striker Danny Kedwell was fed into the box by Marvin McCoy, but he blasted his shot wide of the post, from close-range. 

Bruno Andrade gave a flash of what was to come from the Wood, as he fizzled a half-volley from 25-yards, that was held by Nathan Ashmore.

A late run from Woodards almost gave the visitors an opener on the half-hour. The wing-back had raced down the wing to meet Kane Smith’s cross, but sent his diving header past the post.

It took a moment of magic from Balanta to get the Wood firing; the Columbian midfielder set himself, before curving a stunning volley, off the side of his boot and into the roof of the net.

Turley almost added a second on the brink of half time, but he could only nod Andrade’s whipped free-kick wide.

It took just four second half minutes for the Wood to add a second. Andrade’s corner fell to Turley on the edge of the box and he thundered a shot past a helpless Ashmore.

The Wood’s set-pieces were troubling the home side and another Andrade corner crashed off several bodies, before The Fleet could eventually scramble it clear.

It wasn’t just the Portuguese winger’s set-piece prowess that was causing McMahon’s side problems, as his trickery down the wing brought him into the penalty area, but his driven cross was thumped clear by Chris Bush.

Looking to get in on the act, Keiran Murtagh lifted the ball above two defenders with keep-ups, but he lashed his effort around the post.

Ebbsfleet countered and Jack Payne tried his luck from range, but he sent his 20-yard strike wide.

The home side were trying to pile on the pressure, but a vital block from a sliding Tom Champion kept them at bay, as they crossed dangerously into the area.

At the opposite end, Balanta countered for Boreham Wood, he had Andrade to his right, but dummied the defender and curled the ball at Ashmore, who saved well.

Another viscous volleyed attempt from Murtagh then forced an impressive diving save out of The Fleet stopper.

Quigley then netted his first league goal for Boreham Wood, after being sent through on goal. The forward cut back on his marker, took a touch and fizzled the ball into the bottom corner.

Desperate for a clean sheet, Ricketts threw himself in front of Bush’s powerful free kick, which smashed off his back and out for a throw-in.

The hosts continued to pressure the Wood, but they stood firm, heroically blocking three attempts off the line, with Turley, Champion, Stephens and Smith all involved.

Andrade narrowly missed a chance to put the Wood four up, as his headed effort drifted inches wide of Ashmore’s goal. The forward was then brought down in the area by Bush, as he looked to add to Ebbsfleet’s misery. However, Andrade stepped up and crashed his effort against the crossbar.

The Wood: G Smith, K Smith, Woodards, Ricketts, Stephens, Champion, Murtagh, Andrade, Quigley (Folivi 84), Turley, Balanta

Subs not used: Harfield, Shakes, Turgott, Davey

Ebbsfleet United: Ashmore, McCoy (Shields 45), Winfield ©, Powell (Bubb 45), Drury, Kedwell, Payne, Magri, Coulson (Weston 55), Bush, Wilson

Subs not used: Rance, Jordan

Goals: Balanta 35, Turley 49, Quigley 66

Attendance: 1,366

 

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