A cracking second-half goal from Charles Clayden was enough to return Boreham Wood to the National League for the 2025–26 season, after a one-season stopover in the National League South.

Luke Garrard made two changes to the starting line-up following the victory at Torquay United, with Jayden Richardson replacing Cameron Coxe at right-back and Jon Benton coming in for the injured Erico Sousa on the wing.

It was a nervy opening to the match, as both sides were cautious in their approach play. Riley Court went close for the visitors after six minutes, but his deflected shot was well saved by Nathan Ashmore in the Wood goal. Nine minutes later, Matt Rush headed over from a Jon Benton cross. On 22 minutes, Bivesh Gurung tested Ashmore from distance, but the Wood keeper was equal to it.

Four minutes later, an excellent Jayden Richardson cross was just out of Rush’s reach as he failed to connect. On 32 minutes, a Ben Brookes cross was met with a George Fowler header, but Ashmore pulled off an excellent save to deny him. Brookes was denied by Ashmore again four minutes later. On 38 minutes, Reiss Greenidge forced Ashmore into a good save with a header. The two sides went into the break level.

HT: Boreham Wood 0–0 Maidstone United

Two minutes after the restart, Boreham Wood took the lead – and what a goal it was. After some fantastic approach play from Abdul Abdulmalik, Charles Clayden curled in a brilliant shot that gave Stones keeper Alexis Andre Jr no chance at all. After the goal, the visitors controlled much of the possession, and Fowler was denied once more by Ashmore in the Wood goal.

On 67 minutes, Berkeley-Agyepong’s well-struck shot was saved well by Ashmore. Seven minutes later, Sam Corne forced another good save. Although the visitors were dominant in terms of possession, they were unable to really threaten Boreham Wood, and the hosts held out well to secure victory.

FT: Boreham Wood 1–0 Maidstone United

While not at their best, Boreham Wood did well to hold out and secure the all-important victory. The Wood were able to see the game through and clinch a vital win and promotion back to the Vanarama National League.

Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Richardson (Payne 80), Ilesanmi, Reynolds, Yarney (Bush 63), O’Connell, Whelan, Clayden (Appiah 70), Benton (Marsh 70), Abdulmalik, Rush.
Subs not used: Coxe, Sagaf, Dixon.

Maidstone United: Andre Jr, Eweka, Brookes, Greenidge (Kyprianou 90+2), Fowler, Higgs (Coulthirst 76), Blair, Court (Willis 68), Gurung (Krasniqi), Leahy, Berkeley-Agyepong.
Subs not used: Corne, Coulthirst, Krasniqi, Holden, Kyprianou, Trusty.

Man of the Match: Callum Reynolds.

Match report written by Brett Lewis.