Zak Brunt (105+3)
An injury-time goal from Zak Brunt was enough to give Boreham Wood supporters another memorable night and cement the team’s place in the National League play-off semi-final away at Carlisle United on Sunday 3rd May.
Luke Garrard made five changes from Saturday’s win against Sutton United, with several regular starters returning to the line-up. Femi Ilesanmi, James Clarke, Zak Brunt, Tom White and Matt Rush came in, while Cameron Coxe, Callum Reynolds, Lewis Richardson and Josh Landers dropped to the bench. Wood also welcomed back legendary goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore from his loan spell at Bedford Town, taking his place among the substitutes.
It was predictably a frenetic start, with both sides threatening early on. Tom Knowles struck from distance on four minutes, but Ted Curd pulled off a fine save despite being initially unsighted. Two minutes later, Abdul Abdulmalik went on a strong run, but just as he looked set to pull the trigger, Laurent Mendy somehow recovered to clear.
On 16 minutes, Regan Booty played a delightful ball through to Matt Rush, whose goal-bound effort was well saved by Forest Green goalkeeper Harry Isted. Six minutes later, Tre Pemberton somehow missed a free header from a Kyle McAllister cross.
From that point in the first half, Boreham Wood took control and slowed the game to their tempo. They should have taken the lead following a corner when Isted collided with his own defender, Tate Campbell, before Chris Bush bundled the ball into the net. However, referee Kirsty Dowle adjudged that the keeper had been fouled by Charlie O’Connell. It would have been a goal Bush’s outstanding performance deserved.
Just before the interval, Abdulmalik nearly gave Wood the lead after a brilliant run from the halfway line, but he was denied by an excellent save from Isted.
The visitors improved after the break and enjoyed plenty of possession, but struggled to create clear chances. The centre-back pairing of Bush and O’Connell were magnificent, giving the Forest Green forwards no space.
In fact, it was Boreham Wood who created the first opening of the second half. On 55 minutes, Leon Ayinde played in Bush, but just as he was about to shoot, Campbell recovered superbly to clear. Rush went close shortly afterwards, firing just wide.
The remainder of the half became a war of attrition, with Forest Green pushing forward. However, even the introduction of prolific goalscorer Ricardo Rees failed to make a significant impact. On 77 minutes, a dangerous cross from Tom Knowles only needed a touch, but no one was there to apply the finish.
Boreham Wood saw more of the ball in extra time and raised the tempo. On 104 minutes, a pull-back from Lewis Richardson found James Clarke, whose fierce effort looked destined for the corner before Isted somehow got a touch to divert it onto the crossbar.
Wood were not to be denied and finally got their reward in first-half stoppage time of extra time. A fantastic run from Abdulmalik and an excellent cross was met by a clinical finish from Brunt that even Isted couldn’t keep out, sending Meadow Park into raptures.
On 117 minutes, Cameron Coxe crossed towards Rush, but it was just beyond the reach of Boreham Wood’s top scorer. A minute later, Forest Green had their final chance to equalise when Jayden Clarke forced Curd into an outstanding save. Wood held on to secure their place in the semi-final.
It was an incredible performance from Luke Garrard’s side against an extremely tricky and athletic Forest Green team. Boreham Wood’s extra quality proved the difference. They now face a long trip to an in-form Carlisle United, with a place in the National League Promotion Final at Wembley at stake.
Boreham Wood: Curd, Clarke (Coxe 109), Ilesanmi, Bush, O’Connell, White, Brunt (Landers 109), Booty (Reynolds 72), Ayinde (Richardson 74), Abdulmalik (Sousa 109), Rush.
Subs not used: Ashmore, Henry.
Forest Green Rovers: Isted, Mendy, McAllister, Knowles (Nwoko 100), Clarke, Campbell (Doidge 106), Mingi, Pemberton (Haughton 106), Buyabu (Kengni 96), Etaluku, Mellor.
Subs not used: Penel, Kengni, Kircough.
Man of the Match: Chris Bush.
Match report written by Brett Lewis.
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