In a pulsating encounter at Meadow Park, Boreham Wood came from behind to win, courtesy of two late goals from Matt Rush to beat a dogged Boston United side.

Luke Garrard named an unchanged starting line-up from last Saturday’s fantastic win at Forest Green Rovers.

It was the visitors who had majority of the possession in the opening few minutes, but it was Zak Brunt who had the game’s first opportunity with a stinging effort from outside the area which fizzed just over the bar. Three minutes later, Wood had another good chance when a well-worked corner routine involving Brunt and Lewis Richardson ended with Farhaan Ali Wahid shooting just wide.

Wood were playing the ball around nicely at this point, but the Pilgrims were defending their penalty area well. Ali Wahid fired over the bar on 20 minutes. Five minutes later, the visitors took the lead against the run of play with their first effort on goal. It was an excellent finish by Thomas Cursons after an incredible run which bamboozled the Wood defence.

On 31 minutes, Wood had a good chance to equalise when an exquisite pass from Regan Booty picked out Matt Rush, whose shot was brilliantly saved by Pilgrims keeper Louis Chadwick. Ali Wahid didn’t get the ball a lot down the left, but when he did, he gave Sai Sachdev, the Boston right-back, a few problems. On 38 minutes, his cross was only lacking a touch from Rush at the far post. Two minutes later, Brunt fired over when he had more time than he thought.

HT: BOREHAM WOOD 0 BOSTON UNITED 1

Wood came out for the second half with real attacking intent and seemed half a yard quicker as they played some breathtaking football. The introduction of Danny Cashman had a lot to do with the new approach and, following a good one-two with Brunt, he nearly equalised two minutes after the restart.

On 49 minutes, Brunt was involved again, playing in Rush, whose shot was somehow cleared off the line by Niall Canavan. Soon afterwards, Chadwick denied both Cashman and Rush with smart saves. Wood piled on the pressure and, on 70 minutes, an excellent run by Tylor Golden and cross to Cashman resulted in yet another save from Chadwick, when Wood supporters were expecting the net to bulge.

On 78 minutes, Ollie Bainbridge went on a good run down the left and played in Brunt, who fired just over. Soon after, Booty played in Rush, who rounded the keeper before firing wide from a tight angle.

Just when Wood looked destined not to score, the ever-reliable Rush came up with the goods on 85 minutes. An excellent pass from Brunt played in Rush and, from a tight angle, he struck it sweetly across Chadwick and into the corner of the goal, much to the relief of the players and supporters.

Rush scored the winner three minutes later when a clever free-kick from Booty found Rush again, and this time it was an even better strike to beat Chadwick and send Meadow Park into raptures. Wood were then able to hold on for the three points.

Meadow Park saw probably its best game since the Dorking Wanderers play-off semi-final and, more importantly, saw an excellent, well-drilled side play some outstanding football, patiently waiting for their opportunity to put Boston to the sword late on.

It’s worth pointing out that Boreham Wood have got ten points from their first four matches this season, having lost all four corresponding fixtures last season (Tamworth and Boston United at home, and FC Halifax Town and Forest Green Rovers away).

On Bank Holiday Monday, they will go away to Worthing, another team they lost to last time out, and will be confident of getting another three points.

Boreham Wood: Gunter, Golden (Clarke 81), Bainbridge, Bush, O’Connell, White, Brunt, Booty, Ali Wahid (Cashman 46), Richardson (Allarakhia 65), Rush.

Subs not used: Marley-Miranda, Kensdale, Stapelberg.

Boston United: Chadwick, Sachdev, Shipley, Teale, Canavan, Grimes, Aboh, Wheeldon (Mauro 77), Holohan (Agyemang 78), Rooney, Cursons (John-Lewis 81).

Subs not used: Faxon, Holmes, McBride, Hammond.

Man of the Match: Matt Rush

Written by: Brett Lewis