Zak Brunt (20), Matt Rush (31), Charles Clayden (49)
An emphatic 3–0 win away at Braintree Town ensured Boreham Wood’s sixth league win in a row. First-half goals from Zak Brunt and Matt Rush, and a second-half header from Charles Clayden, were enough to secure the three points for Luke Garrard’s men.
Luke Garrard made two changes to his starting line-up from last Saturday’s FA Cup defeat to Burton Albion, with Junior Robinson making his first Boreham Wood start in place of Cameron Coxe at right-back, and Charles Clayden replacing Lewis Richardson out wide.
Wood started the game on the front foot and nearly got on the scoresheet after two minutes when Joe Newton crossed the ball for Charles Clayden, whose shot was blocked. Three minutes later, a lovely ball from Regan Booty played in Newton, whose cross was cleared away. On 10 minutes, a sloppy pass out of the Braintree defence allowed Clayden a run and shot, but Irons keeper Mason Terry produced an excellent save. The ball then bobbled to Abdul Abdulmalik on the left, who cut inside and produced a shot which just sailed past the post.
On 17 minutes, Terry came to the Irons’ rescue again by denying Zak Brunt, with Junior Robinson striking the rebound over the bar. Three minutes later, Wood took the lead when the hosts failed to clear the ball properly and Brunt was able to take advantage, although it took a deflected shot to finally beat Terry in goal. Wood added a second on 31 minutes when Matt Rush ran in on goal and finished well past Terry.
After the second goal, Braintree were able to get a foothold in the game for the first time. Four minutes later, Sahid Kamara Jr played in Lewis Walker, who forced a good save from Wood keeper Ted Curd at his near post. On 40 minutes, Ben Drake crossed the ball to Jacob Pinnington, who forced Curd into another save. Almost straight away, Kamara Jr fired wide from outside the area. On 43 minutes, Charlie O’Connell forced Terry into an excellent save to deny Boreham Wood a three-goal advantage heading into the break.
Boreham Wood started the second half in dominant form and added a third four minutes after the restart. An Abdulmalik shot cannoned off George Langston and fell into the path of Clayden, who headed home past Terry. Five minutes later, Pinnington went close for the Iron but fired wide. On 57 minutes, Kamara Jr found Walker, whose shot was deflected wide off Callum Reynolds. Two minutes later, a fantastic run by Abdulmalik and a great cross fell to Regan Booty, who fired over from close range with his usually trusted left foot.
On 62 minutes, Pinnington forced a great save from Curd with a powerful shot. Seven minutes later, Terry did well to deny Newton with a fingertip save. On 71 minutes, the West Ham loanee produced an even better save from O’Connell. Six minutes later, Abdulmalik was nearly on the scoresheet but, after a great run, he was denied by the outstretched leg of Terry. Abdulmalik’s follow-up was blocked by Aidan Francis-Clarke.
On 79 minutes, Rush produced an audacious chip which beat Terry but cannoned off the crossbar. Soon afterwards, Booty was just off target from outside the area. On 82 minutes, Terry produced yet another save to deny Lewis Richardson. Seven minutes later, substitute Luke Norris was denied by a clearance off the line from Ben Drake.
Boreham Wood were so dominant against a poor Braintree, and if it wasn’t for the outstanding Mason Terry in goal, Boreham Wood would have doubled their score. Luke Garrard will be happy with his side’s performance and may feel they should have been more clinical at times. Wood go into Tuesday night’s important game against promotion rivals Scunthorpe United with their tails up.
Braintree Town: Terry, Francis-Clarke, Langston, Amrore, Pinnington, Babic, Vennings, Drake, Cooper (Thorpe 74), Kamara Jr (Emmanuel-Thomas 78), Walker (Akinde 73).
Subs not used: Logan.
Boreham Wood: Curd, Robinson (Marshall-Miranda 65), Newton, Reynolds, Bush, O’Connell, Brunt (Coxe 86), Booty, Abdulmalik (Norris 78), Clayden (Richardson 65), Sousa, Rush (Ilesanmi 86).
Subs not used: Payne, Kensdale.
Man of the Match: Zak Brunt.
Match report written by Brett Lewis.
