Zak Brunt (2), Lewis Richardson (19), Matt Rush (55)
It was an outstanding performance from Boreham Wood in Gloucestershire as they came away from Forest Green with a comprehensive 3-0 win and, in turn, secured their first ever victory at the New Lawn. The goals came from Zak Brunt, Lewis Richardson and Matt Rush.
Luke Garrard made two changes to his starting line-up from last Saturday’s win against Halifax Town, with Lewis Richardson and Farhaan Ali Wahid starting ahead of Tarryn Allarakhia and Abdul Abdulmalik.
Wood got off to a blistering start by opening the scoring after just two minutes. An inch-perfect pass by Charlie O’Connell found Lewis Richardson, whose control was exemplary before he went on a great run and played in Zak Brunt, who finished brilliantly past Ethan Ross. It was similar in many ways to the winner against Carlisle United in the play-off semi-final, but better.
Five minutes later, O’Connell headed over from a Regan Booty corner. On 12 minutes, Wood had another good chance to add a second when Richardson again caused havoc to the Green defence before playing in Matt Rush, who fired just wide from a tight angle.
At 19 minutes, Wood added a second, and it was an even better pass from Charlie O’Connell that found Richardson, who provided the finish and the goal that his performance deserved.
Forest Green, despite Wood’s two goals, were always in the game and some of their approach play was excellent. A good run by left-back Neil Kengni on 31 minutes created a chance for Kyle McAllister, whose well-struck shot cannoned off the post with Luca Gunter beaten. Omari Patrick had a similar shot soon after, but this time it went over the bar.
The hosts continued to show attacking intent, but the Wood defence held firm going into the break.
Wood started the second half in control, and the endeavour shown by the hosts in the first half was not present after the break. Soon after the restart, some good interplay between Richardson and Brunt almost resulted in a goal for Rush, who slid in at the back post to meet a Richardson cross, but it was just out of his reach.
At 55 minutes, Wood added a third when Rush got on the end of a Brunt pass after a slick Boreham Wood move. The goal killed the game as a contest, with Wood now in total control.
Luke Garrard rang the changes, and it was two of the substitutes, Tarryn Allarakhia and Danny Cashman, who were involved in Wood’s next move. Allarakhia played a good ball to the Crawley loanee, but his effort was just off target.
The way Wood played the ball out from the back was a joy to watch. Goalkeeper Gunter and Chris Bush were heavily involved in playing the ball around and did not lose possession once. The short passing of Regan Booty was the springboard for many attacks, one of them coming at 81 minutes when he played in Brunt, who in turn found Cashman, whose first-time shot was well saved by Green goalkeeper Ethan Ross.
At 87 minutes, Green were reduced to 10 men when Tre Pemberton was shown a straight red card following a nasty challenge on Rush, which ended Rush’s afternoon.
In the fourth minute of added time, Allarakhia went on a good run before forcing Ross into a good save.
This performance was a statement of intent against a team considered to be one of Boreham Wood’s rivals at the top end of the table. Luke Garrard’s men will be full of confidence going into the Boston United game on Thursday night.
Forest Green Rovers
Ross, Pemberton, Kengni (Naughton 46), Clarke (Ajayi 89), Campbell, McAllister, Rees (Kelly 61), Patrick (Osude 61), Ewing (Melloe 46), Etaluka, Mabete
Subs not used: McNicholas, Berry
Boreham Wood
Gunter, Golden, Bainbridge, Bush, O’Connell, White, Brunt (Marshall-Miranda 84), Booty, Ali Wahid (Cashman 60), Richardson (Allarakhia 60), Rush (Clarke 89)
Subs not used: Kensdale, Stapelberg
Man of the Match: Lewis Richardson
Written by Brett Lewis.
