Boreham Wood produced a statement 4-1 victory against title rivals Harrogate Town in a game where the visitors gave as good as they got for the most part, but Boreham Wood were able to take their chances at the right time, including a sure-fire Goal of the Season contender from Ben Whitfield.

Luke Garrard named an unchanged starting line-up from Wednesday night’s win at Scunthorpe United, while new signing Conor Wilkinson took his place on the bench.

Wood controlled a lot of the early possession, but it was the visitors who took the lead with the game’s first chance on nine minutes. Tarryn Allarakhia was dispossessed by Will McGowan, who found Bailey Hobson. The forward then produced a lovely curling shot which gave Luca Gunter no chance in the Wood goal.

Five minutes later, Oli Bainbridge was played in by Regan Booty, going on an excellent run before forcing a fine save from Town goalkeeper Luke Hutchinson.

On 21 minutes, Wood got their equaliser when Zak Brunt’s pass was deflected off Lewis Cass into the path of Allarakhia, who finished well for his first league goal for Boreham Wood, making up for his earlier error for Harrogate’s goal.

On 28 minutes, Josh Hmami attempted a similar shot to Hobson’s earlier effort, but this time it sailed well over the crossbar.

Three minutes later, Wood were lucky not to concede a penalty when it looked like Chris Bush had fouled McGowan in the area, but referee Dave Rock booked the Town forward for diving.

On 32 minutes, Jay Bird hit a rasping shot which was somehow tipped away by Hutchinson.

On 42 minutes, the visitors had a good chance when Hobson went on a good run before releasing Cass on the right, but the former Grimsby Town full-back was just off target.

On 45 minutes, Wood took the lead when a lovely build-up ended with an inch-perfect pass by Booty to Bird, who was fouled to win Boreham Wood’s first penalty of the season. Brunt made no mistake from 12 yards.

HT: BOREHAM WOOD 2-1 HARROGATE TOWN

The visitors, who were perhaps unlucky to be behind at the break, started the second half with real purpose, and the dangerous McGowan was inches wide with his effort two minutes after the restart.

That was as good as it got for Town, because when Boreham Wood got going, they were incredible.

On 54 minutes, Allarakhia went on an excellent run down the left and his cross was only just cut out before it reached Bird.

A minute later, Bird forced an excellent save from Hutchinson at his near post. From the resulting corner, Bush headed the ball across to Bird, who made no mistake at the far post with his head. It was a goal that his excellent performance deserved.

On the hour mark, Bird had a shot blocked before Brunt forced another excellent save from Hutchinson.

On 64 minutes, recently introduced substitute Ben Whitfield produced a volley that will live long in the memory, giving Wood an unassailable three-goal lead.

Unfortunately, Boreham Wood’s afternoon did not end perfectly, as Booty was shown a straight red card on 79 minutes for a challenge on Ethan Bristow.

Wood saw out the final 11 minutes and seven minutes of stoppage time in comfort.

It is now seven wins out of nine for top-of-the-table Boreham Wood as they go into a busy week, with Everton U21 at home on Wednesday night and Solihull Moors away next Saturday.

Boreham Wood: Gunter, Clarke (Wilkinson 72), Bainbridge, Bush, O’Connell, White, Brunt (Marshall-Miranda 81), Booty, Allarakhia (Richardson 72), Cashman (Whitfield 64), Bird

Subs not used: Golden, Kensdale, Stapleburg

Harrogate Town: Hutchinson, Cass, Bristow, Burrell (Taylor 63), Dryer, Baptiste, Hobson, Williams (Thomson 71), McGowan (Craig 71), Hmami (McGuckin 63), Dologhan (Muldoon 64)

Subs not used: Oxley, Horton

Man of the Match: Jay Bird

Written by Brett Lewis.