Goals from Matt Rush, Abdul Abdulmalik and a piledriver from Erico Sousa were enough to give Boreham Wood a comprehensive 3–1 win at Brackley Town.

Luke Garrard named an unchanged line-up from Tuesday night’s win against Aldershot Town.

Both sides played the ball around nicely in the early stages, but Boreham Wood naturally had more going forward. On six minutes, after a flowing move involving Jeff King and Abdul Abdulmalik, King played the ball across goal, just out of Matt Rush’s reach. At this stage, Erico Sousa and Joe Newton were having a lot of joy down the left, but the Saints’ backline were able to hold firm. On 16 minutes, Zak Brunt fired just wide from outside the area. Two minutes later, the hosts went on the attack and Scott Pollock played a lovely cross that Matt Lowe headed wide. On 19 minutes, Charlie O’Connell tested Saints keeper Jonny Maxted from distance, but he pulled off a really good save.

On 22 minutes, a King corner was flicked on by O’Connell into the path of Rush, but Wood’s top scorer just failed to get on the end of it. Eight minutes later, a loose ball out of the Wood defence fell to Morgan Roberts, who played in Riccardo Calder, who twisted and turned before firing wide. On 36 minutes, Abdulmalik did well to hold off the Saints defenders but fired wide when well placed. A minute later, the hosts had a chance when Tyler Lyttle’s cross was flicked on by Michael Nottingham into the path of Roberts, who didn’t react quickly enough. On 44 minutes, some lovely link-up play between Abdulmalik and Sousa ended with Abdulmalik forcing Maxted into an excellent save. On the stroke of half-time, Wood got a deserved lead. It started with some excellent approach play between O’Connell and Sousa, and a delightful Brunt pass picked out Rush, who did what Rush does best. It was an excellent finish for his 11th league goal of the season.

HT: Brackley Town 0–1 Boreham Wood

Boreham Wood continued to dominate at the start of the second half, but their flow was thwarted by a worrying-looking injury to Tom White, who was substituted on 54 minutes. For a period afterwards, the hosts were on the attack. The uncertainty didn’t last long, as Wood managed to extend their lead on 61 minutes through Abdulmalik, who finished well after King’s shot was saved by Maxted. He didn’t have to run half the length of the pitch this time, but Abdulmalik was there at the vital moment. The hosts weren’t done yet, and six minutes later Shane Byrne’s shot rattled off the Boreham Wood post.

The hosts were still in the game and had a lot of subsequent possession, but the Wood defence was well organised and nullified any threat. On 86 minutes, Wood added a third, and it was a screamer from Sousa that tore into the Brackley net before Maxted could even see it. In the last minute of normal time, Matt Lowe headed in from a corner to give the Saints a consolation goal. Wood were able to hold out for the points.

FT: Brackley Town 1–3 Boreham Wood

It was a good win on the road for Luke Garrard’s men, who continue their impressive start to the season. While they weren’t at their best, they won the game with plenty to spare.

Brackley Town: Maxted, Lyttle, Lilly, Byrne, Dean, Lowe, Price (Brown 67), Roberts (Stewart 67), Pollock (Hall 75), Calder, Nottingham (Waldron 46).

Subs not used: Gregory, Haynes, Morrison.

Boreham Wood: Ashmore, King (Coxe 73), Newton (Ilesamni 87), Reynolds, Bush, O’Connell, Brunt, White (Clayden 54), Abdulmalik (Norris 73), Sousa, Rush (Richardson 87).

Subs not used: Dixon, Benton.

Man of the Match: Charlie O’Connell.

Match report written by Brett Lewis.