Luke Garrard made two changes to his starting lineup from Tuesday’s National League Cup win against West Ham U21, with James Clarke returning at right-back instead of Callum Reynolds and Leon Ayinde, who was so impressive in the second half of the final, replacing Lewis Richardson on the right wing.

It was an interesting opening to the game as both teams tried to attack. The visitors were playing the ball around nicely, but it was Boreham Wood who looked more threatening. On six minutes, there was a nice one-two between Leon Ayinde and Zak Brunt, but the former’s cross was headed out by Bradley Nicholson. Wood took the lead on 12 minutes when Leon Ayinde latched onto Ted Curd’s long ball, headed past Ben Radcliffe and finished well past Adam Desbois in the Heed goal. Five minutes later, Abdul Abdulmalik volleyed inches wide.

Abdulmalik went close again on 24 minutes, but his shot was saved by Desbois before Ayinde hit the rebound just wide. Wood continued to turn the screw, and, on 31 minutes, Regan Booty played in Brunt, who was unable to get a connection on the ball. Two minutes later, Abdulmalik went on one of his trademark runs before firing over the bar. On 38 minutes, Wood doubled their lead when Brunt’s deflected shot found its way past Desbois in the Heed goal.

HT: Boreham Wood 2-0 Gateshead

The second half was only 24 seconds old when Wood made it three. A lovely run from Ayinde and a good ball back to Brunt ended with Wood’s No. 8 getting his second deflected goal of the match. On 52 minutes, Ayinde hit a fierce shot which cannoned off the crossbar. Wood, to some extent, took their foot off the gas after that, but although they still dominated play and controlled possession, they did not look like adding to their goals. Gateshead had a rare shot on goal on 67 minutes, but Nicholson blasted over.

Luke Garrard used the opportunity to give some of his players an extended rest by withdrawing Abdulmalik, Booty and Rush, and gave much-needed minutes to Erico Sousa and Callum Reynolds, who have recently returned from injury. It was Sousa who fired just wide on 75 minutes after some excellent build-up play from James Clarke and Lewis Richardson. Clarke had a goal-bound shot blocked by Nicholson three minutes later, and Richardson went close again in stoppage time after a good run, but his effort hit the woodwork.

FT: Boreham Wood 3-0 Gateshead

It was an excellent performance from Boreham Wood in a game that they dominated from start to finish. After Tuesday’s dramatic National League Cup Final win, the feel-good factor was still there at Meadow Park. Luke Garrard’s men now go to an out-of-form Aldershot Town on Tuesday night to continue their push for third.

Boreham Wood: Curd, Coxe, Ilesanmi (Newton 83), Bush, O’Connell, White, Brunt, Booty (Reynolds 78), Abdulmalik (Sousa 69), Ayinde, Rush (Richardson 69).

Subs not used: Coxe, Henry, Clayden.

Gateshead: Desbois, Radcliffe, Storey, Nicolson, Richardson, Anifowose (Chadwick 76), John, Bowen (Chapman 69), Ward (Home 69), Gilsenan (Moore 60), Boatswain (Amantchi 60).

Subs not used: Leech, Ferguson.

Man of the Match: Leon Ayinde.

Match report written by Brett Lewis.