Boreham Wood succumbed to their second 3–1 defeat in a row and, just like against Scunthorpe last Tuesday, they went three goals behind before attempting an improbable fightback. Goals from Olly Crankshaw, Otis Khan and Jake Cooper saw the hosts race into a three-goal lead before an outstanding Regan Booty free-kick reduced the deficit.

Luke Garrard made two changes to his starting line-up from Tuesday night’s defeat against Scunthorpe United, with Marley Marshall-Miranda and Lewis Richardson coming in for Junior Robinson and Charles Clayden.

Wood started well enough, but the hosts soon took over and dominated the first half. Abdulmalik went close after five minutes with his effort, cutting onto his right foot to force a good save from Robins goalkeeper Luke Hutchinson. Four minutes later, Marley Marshall-Miranda’s deflected shot was easily gathered by Hutchinson. On 11 minutes, former AFC Fylde midfielder Matty Kosylo fired over from a free kick for the hosts. Two minutes later, the Robins took the lead when an excellent ball over the top from Tom Crawford found dangerman Olly Crankshaw, who outpaced the Wood defence before a clinical finish past Ted Curd in the Wood goal.

On 20 minutes, Abdulmalik played an excellent ball to Regan Booty, who dragged his shot wide from the edge of the penalty area. A minute later, Charlie O’Connell tried his luck from 30 yards but fired well over the bar. Wood were unable to get a foothold in the game. Their passing was sloppy, and it was the hosts who looked most likely to get the next goal. On 35 minutes, an inch-perfect cross from Crankshaw found Jimmy Knowles, who shot over the bar. Three minutes later, Knowles fired over again. Just before the break, a teasing cross from Tom Crawford was just out of Knowles’ reach as he attempted to make it two.

HT: Altrincham 1–0 Boreham Wood

Wood started the second half with attacking intent and looked as though they were about to spend the period camped in the Robins’ half. However, they were undone three minutes after the restart when an excellent pass from Crawford picked out Otis Khan, who finished well past Curd to double the lead. Crankshaw fired just wide a minute later. Liam Humbles went close for the Robins on 55 minutes. A minute later, Regan Booty had Boreham Wood’s first shot on target since the early minutes of the match, but it was cleared off the line by Jake Cooper.

On 66 minutes, substitute Charles Clayden crossed the ball in, but it was just out of Matt Rush’s reach. Nine minutes later, the hosts made sure of the points by adding a third. Crankshaw’s shot was parried by Curd into the path of Cooper, who made no mistake from close range. On 81 minutes, Booty reduced Boreham Wood’s deficit with an incredible free kick which crashed in off the post and gave Wood a glimmer of hope. What a shame that goal wasn’t saved for a better day. Chris Bush was denied by Hutchinson in the Robins goal. In the third minute of stoppage time, Zak Brunt was denied by an excellent save from Hutchinson. Brunt was Boreham Wood’s only shining light of the afternoon.

FT: Altrincham 3–1 Boreham Wood

Boreham Wood have lost two matches in a row for the first time this season and, with Callum Reynolds going off injured early on, Wood may have to do without their skipper for a period of time. Luke Garrard will want a positive response from his players against Boston next Saturday.

Altrincham: Hutchinson, Cooper, Crankshaw, Marriott, Khan, Knowles (Weaver 71), Kosylo, Crawford (Golden 82), Humbles (Forde 81), Jones, Sassi.

Subs not used: Grant, Reddin, Fallon, Kirk.

Boreham Wood: Ashmore, O’Connell, Newton (Ilesanmi 63), Reynolds (Coxe 27), Bush, Marshall-Miranda, Brunt, Booty, Abdulmalik, Richardson (Clayden 63), Rush.

Subs not used: Sousa, Robinson, Kensdale.

Man of the Match: Zak Brunt.

Match report written by Brett Lewis.