Brunt (31, 54), Golden (40), Bird (43)
Boreham Wood secured their seventh consecutive National League win with an emphatic 4-0 victory over AFC Fylde. Two goals from Zak Brunt, along with strikes from Jay Bird and Tylor Golden, secured all three points.
Luke Garrard made three changes from last Saturday’s FA Cup win against Woking, with Tom White and Jay Bird returning from injury in place of Will Wright and Conor Wilkinson. Ben Whitfield also started in place of Danny Cashman, while Wright and Wilkinson dropped to the bench. Top scorer Matt Rush also started on the bench following his return from injury.
The visitors started the game on the front foot, and it wasn’t long before Millar Matthews-Lewis forced Ted Curd into a good save. The Coasters continued to press, and it wasn’t until the 17th minute that Boreham Wood created their first chance. Ben Whitfield was played through and, having outpaced the Fylde defence, forced goalkeeper Patrick Boyes into an excellent save. Jay Bird seemed destined to score from the rebound, but some heroic defending from Corey Whelan denied him.
On 20 minutes, the visitors had a good chance when Greg Olley played in Luca Thomas, who fired just wide with Curd beaten. Four minutes later, Danny Mayor played a one-two with Thomas before firing just wide.
On 31 minutes, Wood took the lead when an excellent ball from Chris Bush picked out Zak Brunt, who took the ball past a Fylde defender before firing home. Brunt had a good opportunity to score his and Wood’s second three minutes later when Bird was fouled in the penalty area. However, his penalty sailed over the crossbar and into the Brook Road car park.
Wood were now controlling proceedings and doubled their lead on 40 minutes when Tarryn Allarakhia’s excellent cross was brilliantly headed home by Tylor Golden at the back post. It was the former Altrincham defender’s first goal for Boreham Wood. Three minutes later, Jay Bird added a third with an outstanding finish.
The Coasters’ manager, Craig Mahon, made four substitutions at half-time in an attempt to change things for his side, but Wood started the second half in control. Whitfield forced Boyes into a good save five minutes after the restart. Allarakhia went close a minute later before Cedric Main fired just wide for the visitors.
Wood extended their lead on 54 minutes when Golden dispossessed Will Lancaster before squaring the ball to Brunt, who scored his second and Boreham Wood’s fourth.
The game then became a little sloppy, with the appalling weather conditions not helping, but Boreham Wood remained in control. The Coasters tried to get a grip on the game and, in truth, enjoyed plenty of possession in the latter stages.
On 73 minutes, Luke McCormack forced Curd into an excellent save from point-blank range. The Yeovil Town loanee went close again three minutes later with a free-kick. Curd was called upon once more on 80 minutes, this time denying Thomas. Brunt was then denied his hat-trick when his shot was saved by Boyes.
It was another impressive win for Luke Garrard’s side, who will be looking to maintain their excellent form when they face Woking on Tuesday night.
Boreham Wood: Curd, Golden, Bainbridge, Bush, O’Connell, White, Booty, Brunt (Marshall-Miranda 84), Allarakhia (Rush 84), Whitfield (Cashman 65), Bird.
Subs not used: Clarke, Kensdale.
AFC Fylde: Boyes, Drewe, C. Whelan, Taylor, Lancaster, Mitchell (Upton 46), Merrie, Olley (McCormack 46), Thomas, Mayor (Malcolm 46), Matthews-Lewis (Main 46).
Subs not used: Pickford, Morris.
Away / Tuesday 27 October 2026 / 19:45
