Matt Rush (50, 55, 90+3)
A brilliant second-half hat-trick from top scorer Matt Rush was enough to give Boreham Wood a comprehensive win against Hartlepool United in a one-sided encounter at the Mangata Developments Stadium Meadow Park.
Luke Garrard named an unchanged lineup following Boreham Wood’s defeat to Solihull Moors on Easter Monday.
Boreham Wood were dominant from the start against a poor Hartlepool side who were unable to offer a great deal of threat. Wood created a good opening on two minutes when James Clarke crossed the ball to Zak Brunt, who was just off target with a first-time shot. On 14 minutes, Brunt went close again, but his goal-bound shot was headed away by Pools defender Maxim Kouogun. Wood continued to boss things, and Femi Ilesanmi went close on 27 minutes when played through by Abdul Abdulmalik, but fired just wide.
Three minutes later, Leon Ayinde’s header was well saved by Nick Hayes in the Pools goal. On 31 minutes, Matt Rush played in Clarke, whose shot was blocked by Tom Parkes on the line. Twelve minutes later, Abdulmalik struck a shot that looked like it was going over before dipping and striking the crossbar. On 44 minutes, Pools had their first effort of the match when a Charlie Caton cross was headed goalwards by Alex Reid, but Ted Curd managed to keep it out. Just before the break, Ayinde fired just wide with a shot at goal.
Wood continued their dominance after the break, but there was more end product this time. Five minutes after the restart, they took a deserved lead when Brunt played in Rush, who rounded the keeper before slotting the ball into an empty net. On 55 minutes, Rush got his and Boreham Wood’s second by heading home from a delightful Regan Booty cross. Wood continued to turn the screw, and Abdulmalik forced a good save from Hayes eight minutes later.
It looked like Rush would complete his hat-trick on 79 minutes when he was played in by Brunt, but Kouogun did well to get in his way and shield the ball back to the keeper. Wood’s top scorer was not to be denied, and in the third minute of stoppage time he produced an excellent finish past Hayes in goal to complete the scoring and claim the match ball.
It was an excellent performance from Luke Garrard’s men against a lacklustre Hartlepool side who offered little. With only two matches of the regular season left, they will want to wrap up the campaign with wins at Morecambe and at home to Sutton United to go into the play-offs in a winning run of form.
Boreham Wood: Curd, Clarke, Ilesanmi, Bush, O’Connell, White, Brunt, Booty (Reynolds 62), Abdulmalik (Richardson 90+4), Ayinde (Sousa 84), Rush (Landers 90+4).
Subs not used: Coxe, Newton, Henry.
Hartlepool United: Hayes, Benn, John, Parkes (McNally 62), Kouogun, Hunter (Walker 84), Miley (Sway 62), Daly, Caton (Folarin 82), Sinclair, Reid (Oliver 82).
Subs not used: Smith, Sheron.
Man of the Match: Matt Rush.
Match report written by Brett Lewis.
Away / Saturday 18 April 2026 / 15:00
