In a classic encounter at Meadow Park, Boreham Wood secured a 5–3 victory against an excellent Brackley Town side, despite surrendering a three-goal lead at the start of the second half.

For the fourth game running, Luke Garrard named an unchanged starting line-up in a National League fixture.

Boreham Wood dominated most of the first half and a good move involving Cameron Coxe and Zak Brunt created a chance for Abdul Abdulmalik inside the opening three minutes, but his goal-bound shot was headed clear by Saints skipper Gareth Dean. Two minutes later, however, Wood opened the scoring when an inch-perfect pass from Regan Booty found Brunt, who crossed for Matt Rush to apply a deft finish right on the goal line. Wood were nearly undone several minutes later, however, when Byron Pendleton went on a great run through the midfield before passing to Matt Lowe, who forced a good save from Ted Curd. The Saints were made to pay for that miss, however, when Boreham Wood doubled their lead, as a fantastic run and cross from Abdulmalik found Lewis Richardson, who buried it into the top left corner with a first-time finish.

Wood added a third with yet another contender for Abdulmalik’s personal Goal of the Season competition, as he put the ball through the legs of Matt Lowe before blasting his shot past Saints keeper Jonny Maxted into the top left corner. Three minutes later, Morgan Roberts fired over the bar for the visitors as they tried to get back into the game, and minutes later Dean then played in Zak Brown with an inch-perfect pass, but he failed to get any control of the ball to get a strike off. Regan Booty then played the ball to Brunt to regain some control for Wood, but his shot was well saved by Maxted. Dean headed just wide of Curd’s goal after a well-worked corner routine, but Shane Byrne eventually pulled one back for the visitors with a well-struck shot from outside the area.

HT: Boreham Wood 3–1 Brackley Town

Buoyed by their goal before the break, the visitors came out for the second half with renewed determination. Four minutes after the restart, the Saints scored again when Ben Wodskou fired in a brilliant free kick from the edge of the penalty area, which Ted Curd had little to no chance of saving. Within six minutes, the game had turned on its head and Wodskou’s shot, which was saved inside the area by Curd, allowed Zak Brown to finish well inside the six-yard area.

Boreham Wood, however, were awarded a penalty when Coxe was fouled in the penalty area, and Brunt made no mistake from 12 yards to restore Wood’s lead. The visitors were not to be deterred and Elliott-Wheeler forced Curd into a save a minute later, before substitute Ayinde had a shot blocked and Brunt’s shot was somehow cleared off the line. Wood, however, were not to be denied for long as they made sure of the points with their fifth goal, with an excellent run and cross by Brunt finding Rush to tuck home into an open net for his second goal of the game. Charles Clayden did put the ball in the net in added time despite straying offside, but the earlier five goals were more than enough to see Wood over the line.

FT: Boreham Wood 5–3 Brackley Town

It was another tremendous game of football at Meadow Park and an important win for Luke Garrard’s men. He will be disappointed that his side let a three-goal lead slip, but he will be happy with the fight shown by his side to win the game.

Boreham Wood: Curd, Coxe, Ilesanmi, Bush, O’Connell, Marshall-Miranda, Brunt, Booty (White 90), Abdulmalik (Clayden 86), Richardson (Ayinde 46), Rush (Newton 90+2)

Subs not used: Payne, Henry, Robinson

Brackley Town: Maxted, Pendleton (Byrne 33), Calder (Morrison 33), Dean, Lilly, Price (Harratt 80), Brown, Roberts, Lowe, Elliott-Wheeler, Wodskou

Subs not used: Worby, Nottingham, Andrews, Hall

Man of the Match: Zak Brunt

Match report written by Brett Lewis.