Goals from Matt Rush and Regan Booty, the latter from near the halfway line, were enough to give Boreham Wood a narrow victory against Aldershot Town in difficult, windy and rainy conditions in Hampshire.

Luke Garrard made one change from Saturday’s win against Gateshead, with Lewis Richardson replacing Leon Ayinde due to the Wood number 11’s involvement with the Republic of Ireland U21s.

Boreham Wood looked in total control at the beginning of the match and were quick to take the lead. Regan Booty reacted to a clearance from a corner by smashing the ball into the path of Matt Rush from the edge of the area, allowing the Wood number 32 to beat Shots keeper Coniah Boyce-Clarke and net his 30th goal in all competitions this season. Four minutes later, Booty found Rush again and the striker thought he had doubled Wood’s lead, but the linesman flagged for offside. Boreham Wood have scored several fantastic goals this season; there were probably none better than the goal that Booty produced on 16 minutes. A mislaid pass from Callum Stewart found its way to Booty, who hit it over Boyce-Clarke from just inside the Aldershot half.

At this time, it looked like Boreham Wood would run away with it, but fair play to the hosts, who started to show what they were capable of. Charlie Warren fired just wide on 19 minutes when well placed. Three minutes later, Brody Peart pulled a goal back with a lovely curling effort from outside the area, with Wood keeper Ted Curd standing no chance of saving it. On 23 minutes, Booty played in James Clarke, whose shot was cleared off the line. The Shots got better as the half wore on, but they were unable to really threaten Curd’s goal. Shortly before the break, Lewis Richardson headed wide from a Booty corner. A minute later, Will Nightingale forced Curd into a good save.

HT: Aldershot Town 1–2 Boreham Wood

The hosts continued their territorial advantage at the beginning of the second half as the Wood defence held firm. The second half was not as free-flowing as the first, mainly due to a big downpour of rain which made the pitch more difficult to play on. On 53 minutes, Abdulmalik went on an excellent run before crossing the ball just out of Rush’s reach. Two minutes later, Josh Barrett went close for the Shots, but his goal-bound shot was well blocked by Chris Bush. On 65 minutes, Stewart had a shot blocked by Charlie O’Connell when it looked like he would score. Two minutes later, Rush was played in, but his attempt to take the ball around the keeper was thwarted by Boyce-Clarke.

On 71 minutes, Abdulmalik went on another excellent run, but his shot hit the side netting. Five minutes later, Bush played an excellent pass to Abdulmalik, who played in Zak Brunt; however, he could not get his shot on target. On 81 minutes, Stewart forced Curd into a good save. Peart nearly got a second equaliser in stoppage time, but he struck his free-kick just over the bar. In difficult conditions, Wood held out for the three points.

FT: Aldershot Town 1–2 Boreham Wood

After a blistering start for Boreham Wood and despite the poor weather conditions, they proved they could win ugly by producing a workmanlike performance. Luke Garrard will be very pleased that his side has now won two games in a row. They now go to bottom-of-the-table Truro City, where they will expect to make it three.

Aldershot Town: Boyce-Clarke, Widdrington, Barrett (Thomas 73), Peart, Grogan, Stewart, Scott, Warren, Nightingale, Scheckleford, Tetek.

Subs not used: Nash, Frost, Anderson, Henry, Nelson, Penney.

Boreham Wood: Curd, Clarke, Ilesanmi (Newton 79), O’Connell, Bush, White, Brunt (Marshall-Miranda 87), Booty (Reynolds 79), Abdulmalik (Clayden 87), Richardson (Sousa 64), Rush.

Subs not used: Coxe, Sousa, Newton, Henry, Reynolds.

Man of the Match: Regan Booty.

Match report written by Brett Lewis.