Boreham Wood beat Salisbury 3-0 and turned in an excellent performance against a poor Salisbury side. Two first-half goals by Matt Rush and a screamer late on from Erico Sousa were enough to secure a much-needed three points in their push for a playoff spot.

After three defeats in a row, Luke Garrard made four changes to his starting line-up and a change of formation. Cameron Coxe made his first start in several months at right-back, with Jayden Richardson moving to left-back. Josef Yarney returned to the heart of defence after six weeks out injured. Midfielder Tom Whelan returned from suspension, and Abdul Abdulmalik made a rare start. Mo Sagaf and Junior Dixon dropped to the bench, Josh Hare was injured, and Jo Rye missed out altogether.

Boreham Wood got off to a positive start, controlling a lot of early possession. Tom Whelan went close in the fifth minute, but he fired wide after an Erico Sousa pass. Cameron Coxe went close a minute later but shot wide after a purposeful run. In the ninth minute, Boreham Wood took the lead when an Abdul Abdulmalik pass found Jon Benton. Benton’s shot was parried by Salisbury keeper Rhys Byrne into the path of Matt Rush, who fired home from close range.

Wood continued to show attacking intent after the goal, and they fashioned a good move when Coxe found Whelan, whose first-time cross found the diving header of Rush, who was just off target. Wood deservedly got their second in the 36th minute when, after Coxe’s shot cannoned off the crossbar, Rush was there to head home for his and Boreham Wood’s second.

HT: Boreham Wood 2-0 Salisbury

Wood continued their dominance in the second half and were awarded a penalty five minutes after the restart when Coxe was fouled in the area. Sousa stepped up to take it but was denied by keeper Byrne, who went the right way to pull off a save. Following the penalty miss, the visitors grew in confidence and had their only real chance of the game in the 56th minute when Daniel Fitchett glanced a header just wide. Abdulmalik had a shot blocked by Owen Dore three minutes later. In the 62nd minute, Salisbury keeper Byrne produced an excellent double save by denying Callum Reynolds and Coxe from close range.

In the 65th minute, a confident Coxe chipped Byrne, but just as it looked like it was looping in, Byrne managed to get a hand to it to tip it over the bar. Two minutes later, Rush headed just wide from a Benton cross. In the 84th minute, Sousa sealed the three points with a fantastic strike from just outside the area. Given the way Byrne had been playing, it had to be a good strike to beat him. Substitute Junior Dixon went close in the third minute of stoppage time, but Byrne did well to deny him.

FT: Boreham Wood 3-0 Salisbury

It was a good day at the office for Boreham Wood, as the change of formation and starting line-up really helped. Coxe was outstanding on his first start for the club in several months and justified his inclusion. Boreham Wood will now go into their clash against Hemel Hempstead next Saturday with real confidence.

Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Coxe (O’Connell 81), Richardson, Reynolds, Yarney, Payne, Whelan, Benton (Dixon 85), Sousa (Sagaf 88), Abdulmalik (Clayden 74), Rush (Marsh 85).

Salisbury: Byrne, Jombati (Tonks 86), Ragguette, German, Dore, Leggett, Watts, Gregory (Hedges 53), Silva (Fasanmade 53), Brown (Perez 71), Fitchett.

Subs not used: Sommerton.

Man of the Match: Cameron Coxe.

Match report written by Brett Lewis.