A hat-trick from right back James Clarke and goals from Zak Brunt and Abdul Abdulmalik secured a comprehensive 5-1 win against Wealdstone at the Mangata Developments Stadium Meadow Park and in turn secured a play-off spot.

Luke Garrard made one change to his starting lineup following Saturday’s draw at Truro City with Leon Ayinde, returning from international duty, coming in for Lewis Richardson on the right.

It was an interesting opening to the game with both sides looking to attack. Wood could have had a penalty on six minutes when it looked like Zak Brunt was fouled in the penalty area, but referee Ben Atkinson waved it away. Three minutes later, Tom White’s goal bound shot was blocked by Stones defender Mason Barrett. On 18 minutes, an excellent pass from Chris Bush found Abdul Abdulmalik who was in on goal, but Stones keeper Dante Baptiste made a good save. The Wealdstone stopper produced an even better save three minutes later when Boreham Wood’s number 10 cut inside and tried to place his shot in the far corner.

On 30 minutes, Wealdstone had their first effort on goal when Deonysus Woodman headed wide from a corner. Three minutes later, Wood took the lead. Leon Ayinde’s shot was well saved by Baptiste before James Clarke fired in the rebound, his first goal for the club. On 37 minutes, Matt Rush played an exquisite ball to Brunt who forced Baptiste into another excellent save. From the resulting corner, the Stones’ number one was on hand again to save Rush’s shot. On 42 minutes, Clarke got his and Boreham Wood’s second with an outstanding volley from a Brunt cross, which followed some excellent build up play from Abdulmalik and Ilesanmi.

HT: Boreham Wood 2-0 Wealdstone

With Luke Garrard’s men seemingly in total control, the second half started in the worst possible way. A slip from Chris Bush allowed Sean Adarkwa to steal the ball and pull a goal back three minutes after the restart. For the next period of the game, Wood started to look vulnerable. Wealdstone had some newfound belief and Adarkwa nearly equalised on 51 minutes, but he saw his effort narrowly wide. However, Wood restored their two-goal lead three minutes later when an excellent one-two between Brunt and Rush ended with a deadly finish from the former. The visitors would then have a flurry of chances in quick succession. Dylan Kadji had a shot deflected over the bar and a minute later, Ted Curd was called into action, saving well from Kadji. On 60 minutes, Nathan Tshikuna played an excellent pass to Kadji who was once again denied by Curd. 11 minutes later, Tshikuna struck the foot of the Wood post.

On 74 minutes, Wood put the game beyond doubt by adding a fourth. Keeper Baptiste was adjudged to have fouled Abdulmalik in the box, which too many looked less like a penalty then the foul on Zak Brunt early in the game that wasn’t given. Our usual penalty taker Zak Brunt generously gave the ball to James Clarke for an opportunity to complete his hat-trick, and the Wood number 15 wasn’t going to miss this one, sending Baptiste the wrong way to claim the match ball. On 79 minutes, Abdulmalik added a fifth with a deflected shot off Jack Cook. In the closing period of the game, Baptiste kept the score from being a thrashing with a series of excellent saves. On 88 minutes he made a double save to deny both Josh Landers and Zak Brunt. In the first minute of stoppage time, Erico Sousa struck a shot that looked destined for the top corner before Baptiste somehow got a hand to it.

FT: Boreham Wood 5-1 Wealdstone

It was an impressive performance from the Wood against a Wealdstone side full of confidence after securing a place at Wembley and thrashing Hartlepool United. Luke Garrard’s men go into the closing stages of the regular season in great form with a play-off spot secured and an outside chance of getting third place in the league.

Boreham Wood: Curd, Clarke, Ilesanmi, Bush (Newton 81), O’Connell, White (White 63), Brunt, Booty, Abdulmalik (Richardson 80), Ayinde (Sousa 63), Rush (Landers 80).

Subs not used: Coxe, Henry.

Wealdstone: Baptiste, Hutchinson, Boldewijn (Georgiou 46), Woodman, Barrett (Cook 69), McAvoy, Kadji, Agyemang (Adarkwa 46), Wells-Morrison (Hinchy 46), Tshikuna, Obiero (Olomola 79).

Subs not used: Johnson, Nathaniel-George.

Man of the Match: James Clarke.

Match report written by Brett Lewis.