Boreham Wood started their defence of the National League Cup in fine style with an entertaining 5-2 win against Leeds United U21s, courtesy of five excellent first-half goals, with Farhan Ali Wahid stealing the show on his first start for the club.

Luke Garrard predictably rang the changes for the National League Cup from Saturday’s win at Halifax Town, with James Clarke, Ollie Kensdale, Lewis Richardson, Danny Cashman, Farhan Ali Wahid and Marley Marshall-Miranda starting instead of Tylor Golden, Tom White, Charlie O’Connell, Zak Brunt, Abdul Abdulmalik and Matt Rush, who all dropped to the bench.

The visitors started on the ascendancy and, after two minutes, they broke away after Regan Booty was dispossessed, with Sam Alker firing over the bar. Carrick Njinko fired wide shortly after.

On 7 minutes, Wood took the lead with their first attack when a corner was flicked on by Booty and found the back of the net. The Wood players started to settle down after the goal and began to control a lot of possession.

After nice build-up from Ollie Kensdale and Booty, Tarryn Allarakhia fired just over the bar on 20 minutes. On one of their now rare attacks, Leeds defender Louis Enahoro-Marcus headed over on 28 minutes.

Three minutes later, Wood doubled their lead when an inch-perfect cross from Ollie Bainbridge was headed in by Lewis Richardson.

On 41 minutes, Farhan Ali Wahid crowned an impressive first-half performance with an outstanding finish to extend Boreham Wood’s lead. In the second minute of stoppage time, the Fulham loanee turned provider by playing in Allarakhia, but in truth, it was an unbelievable curling effort from the former Rochdale man to give Wood a fourth.

Wood weren’t done yet and, just before the break, they scored another excellent goal, this time from Richardson, whose inch-perfect shot beat goalkeeper Robbie Cook at his far post.

HT: BOREHAM WOOD 5 LEEDS UNITED U21s 0

Wood made three changes after the break, introducing Tom White, Charlie O’Connell and Tylor Golden to give his side some fresh legs. Zak Brunt and Matt Rush were introduced soon afterwards.

The early part of the half didn’t have the intensity of the first period. Although Wood still dominated possession, they were unable to offer anything of note for a while in the second half.

Joshua McDonald forced Luca Gunter into an excellent save on 62 minutes. Seven minutes later, Sam Chambers pulled one back for the visitors with a deflected shot.

On 75 minutes, McDonald added a second with an excellent finish. The second Leeds goal sprung Wood into life and they proceeded to have numerous chances to extend their lead.

On 78 minutes, a pinpoint Brunt cross met the head of Rush, who forced an excellent reflex save from goalkeeper Cook. A minute later, another Brunt cross was headed by Kensdale against the crossbar via a fingertip save from Cook.

On 82 minutes, an excellent run and shot by Ali Wahid was met with another brilliant save from Cook. The Fulham loanee was at it again a few minutes later with a lovely curling effort that was just wide of the post.

In the final minute, Brunt again produced a cross that Rush headed just wide.

It was a very entertaining encounter in which Luke Garrard was able to try some of his fringe players, none of whom let him down. Some of them will be breathing down the necks of some of the regulars with Forest Green Rovers away on Saturday.

Farhan Ali Wahid really stood out on his first start. He was able to run well with the ball, and some of his intelligent short passing was a joy to watch. On the rare occasion he lost the ball, he was able to win it back.

Boreham Wood: Gunter, Clarke, Bainbridge (Golden 46), Bush (O’Connell 46), Kensdale, Marshall-Miranda, Booty (White 46), Richardson (Rush 59), Allarakhia (Brunt 59), Ali Wahid, Cashman.

Subs not used: Abdulmalik, Stapelberg.

Leeds United U21s: Cook, Lane, Philpott, Howard, Enahoro-Marcus, Howson, Vincent, Pickles, Njinko, Chambers, Alker.

Subs not used: Kenyon, Render, Whitehead, McDonald, Mensah, Egan-Riley, Bird.

Written by Brett Lewis.