Cashman (20), White (45+1), Brunt (87), Rush (90+2)
Kouogun (47), Deeming (52), Miley (59)
In a classic encounter at Meadow Park, Matt Rush came off the bench to give Boreham Wood a dramatic late winner against a determined Hartlepool United side and secure Luke Garrard’s men their ninth National League win in a row.
Luke Garrard made one change to his starting line-up from Tuesday’s win at Woking, with Danny Cashman returning to the starting line-up in place of Ben Whitfield, who dropped to the bench.
There was no sign of what was to come in a first half that Boreham Wood dominated. They controlled possession, and some of Regan Booty’s passing was a delight to watch. It was the visitors who had the game’s first chance when a Cole Deeming free-kick was headed wide by Maxim Kouogun on seven minutes.
Seven minutes later, a delightful move involving Danny Cashman and Zak Brunt created a chance for Jay Bird, who shot just wide of Pools’ goal. On 18 minutes, during another sustained Wood attack, Cashman was fouled in the penalty area. After Brunt had missed his previous three spot-kicks, responsibility fell to Cashman, who sent Pools keeper Max Merrick the wrong way to give Wood a deserved lead.
On 26 minutes, Brooklyn Ilunga’s cross was just out of the reach of Will Harris as the visitors pushed for an equaliser. Seven minutes later, Ollie Bainbridge found Cashman, who was about to pull the trigger before Ilunga somehow got across to block the shot.
Wood continued to press leading up to the interval. Bainbridge went close on 42 minutes but was denied by the legs of Merrick after being played in by Brunt. Wood got a deserved second on the stroke of half-time with an excellent finish from Tom White for his first goal of the season. Given the reaction from the Wood bench, the Wood captain was a very popular scorer. Amazingly, White’s goal was Boreham Wood’s 60th goal of the season in all competitions.
The visitors came out for the second half with renewed intent. They pulled a goal back two minutes after the restart when a Jack Nolan corner was headed in by Kouogun. Three minutes later, Pools equalised when an uncharacteristic error from Chris Bush allowed Cole Deeming in on goal, and he produced an excellent finish past Ted Curd.
A shell-shocked Boreham Wood then went on the attack, and Brunt forced Merrick into a good save. On 59 minutes, the visitors went in front with an incredible goal by Jamie Miley. He spotted Curd off his line and tried his luck from inside his own half, giving the Wood keeper no chance.
In the period after the third goal, Wood were unable to threaten the Pools keeper but controlled much of the possession. Luke Garrard rang the changes and brought top scorer Matt Rush off the bench. They went close on 75 minutes when Bainbridge forced Merrick into an excellent save. The visitors could have put the game beyond doubt on 82 minutes, but Curd did well to deny Chris Popov.
On 87 minutes, Wood got their equaliser when Bainbridge crossed the ball for Brunt to finish. Two minutes into stoppage time, Ben Whitfield crossed the ball for Matt Rush to score the winner, register his 10th league goal of the season and send Meadow Park into ecstasy.
It was an incredible result for Boreham Wood, a team who simply do not know when they are beaten. Attention now turns to Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup First Round next Saturday.
Boreham Wood: (4-5-1) Curd, Golden, Bainbridge, Bush, O’Connell, White, Booty, Brunt (Wright 90+7), Allarakhia (Marshall-Miranda 90+7), Cashman (Whitfield 61), Bird (Rush 69).
Subs not used: Clarke, Marshall-Miranda, Wilkinson.
Hartlepool United: (5-4-1) Merrick, Clarke, Ilunga (Charman 65, Popov 74), Kouogun, Lavelle, McNally, Miley, Sheron, Deeming (Hugill 79), Nolan, Harris (Hunter 79).
Subs not used: Fisher, Penprase, Gibson.
Man of the Match: Zak Brunt
Written by Brett Lewis.
