Boreham Wood succumbed to defeat in East Sussex against a well-organised and determined Eastbourne Borough side. A penalty by Erico Sousa gave Wood a half-time lead before second-half goals from Dominic Odusanya and Fin Ballard-McBride turned the match on its head.
Luke Garrard named an unchanged starting line-up from Wednesday night’s draw against Hornchurch.
The visitors controlled much of the early possession and could have taken the lead after 10 minutes following some excellent interplay between Shaun Williams, George Alexander, and Dominic Odusanya, which created a chance for Freddie Carter, but he couldn’t keep his shot down. Four minutes later, a delightful pass from Chris Bush picked out Tom Whelan, who controlled it brilliantly before firing over the crossbar. Erico Sousa fired just wide a minute later. Shortly afterward, the Sports should have taken the lead when, after an excellent run down the right by Courtney Clarke, he played the ball into Michael Klass, but with all the time in the world, the Eastbourne forward shot over the bar.
On 21 minutes, a bullet header by Femi Ilesamni crashed off the Sports crossbar with the keeper well beaten. On 34 minutes, Abdul Abdulmalik was dispossessed by Clarke, who went on an excellent run, eventually playing in Alexander, who then forced Nathan Ashmore into a good save. Three minutes later, a Williams free kick sailed over Ashmore’s crossbar. On 39 minutes, Sports keeper Joe Wright brought Kwesi Appiah down in the penalty area, and referee Harry Wager had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Sousa made no mistake from the spot, sending Wright the wrong way. Two minutes later, Cameron Coxe struck a volley over the bar as Wood looked for a second goal.
HT: Eastbourne Borough 0-1 Boreham Wood
The hosts came out after the break in determined mood and almost went in front four minutes after the restart. The dangerous Clarke played in David Sesay, and with the Wood defence backing away, they allowed him to get a shot in, which went narrowly wide. Two minutes later, Pierce Bird played in Moussa Diarra, but his shot was off target. Wood then had a good chance when Abdulmalik played in Sousa, who was denied by an excellent block by Clarke.
The hosts’ improved second-half performance was rewarded on 74 minutes when they equalised. Odusanya’s free kick was headed on by Diarra into the path of George Alexander, who got a slight touch to divert the ball past Ashmore, with the Wood defence ball-watching. This goal knocked the stuffing out of Luke Garrard’s team, and 10 minutes later, the Sports took the lead. Sesay made a good run before playing the ball to Fin Ballard-McBride, who took it past two Wood defenders and finished well into the top corner. Unfortunately, Boreham Wood offered very little after that and didn’t look like coming back into the match.
FT: Eastbourne Borough 2-1 Boreham Wood
It was a disappointing afternoon for Boreham Wood. They again created enough chances to win a game of football but once again were punished for only taking a one-goal lead into the break. With the distraction of the FA Cup next week, Boreham Wood have 10 days before their next league game against Farnborough, and Luke Garrard will expect a quick return to winning ways.
Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Coxe, Sousa, Ilesamni, Bush, Hare (Agbontohoma 90), Payne, Whelan, Abdulmalik (Goddard 52), Appiah, Dixon (Marsh 72).
Subs not used: Sagaf, O’Connell.
Eastbourne Borough: Wright, Diarra, Alexander, Klass (Johnson 46), Sesay, Carter, Bamba (Quick 78), Odusanya, Williams (Ballard-McBride 46), Clarke, Bird (Ligendza 78).
Subs not used: Pavey.
Man of the Match: Chris Bush.
Match report written by Brett Lewis.