Boreham Wood v Chesterfield
Tuesday 26th January 2021, 7.45pm
Meadow Park, Vanarama National League
THE CONTEXT
On Tuesday evening, Wood host Chesterfield in the Vanarama National League at Meadow Park.
The Spireites come into this fixture on the back of a 2-1 home win against Wrexham on Saturday, thanks to an 89th minute winner from Akwasi Asante.
Whereas Wood were held to a 1-1 draw after a fantastic performance at Edgeley Park in our recent game against Stockport County.
THE FORM GUIDE
THE WOOD
Previous six games (in all competitions): –
Stockport (A) | VNL| 1-1 D
Torquay (H) | FAT | 0-4 L
Dover (A) | VNL | 1-1 D
Millwall (H) | FAC | 0-2 L
Barnet (A) | VNL | 0-3 W
Aldershot Town (H) | VNL | 3-2 W
Wood travelled to Edgeley Park on Saturday to face a strong Stockport County side and came back with a valuable point.
John Rooney opened the scoring for the hosts in familiar fashion, when he curled a free kick into the top corner past Nathan Ashmore after just seven minutes of play.
Wood had some good chances in the first half to grab a leveller, with notable opportunities falling to top scorer Kabongo Tshimanga who could not convert to level the scoreline.
The pressure from Wood eventually paid off in the 60th minute when Tshimanga fired past Hinchcliffe at his near post. After the equaliser, the hosts had a good spell of possession and looked dangerous in the final third, Wood also defended well restricting the Hatters to half chances.
In the later stages of the game, it looked like Wood were more likely to find the winning goal, but the home side held out well and the points were shared.
THE SPIREITES
Previous six games (in all competitions): –
Wrexham (A) |VNL | 2-1 W
Boston United (A) | FAT | 1-1 (1-4) W
Solihull Moors (A) | VNL | 2-1 L
Solihull Mootrs (H) | VNL | 1-0 W
Brackley Town (H) | FAT | 0-0 (4-3) W
Barnet (H) | VNL | 6-0 W
The Spireites come into this fixture in good form having lost just one of their previous nine matches in all competitions.
James Rowe’s side have been particularly impressive in front of goal this season with only two sides in the National League having hit the net more than their 28 goals so far.
Spireites forward Tom Denton has chipped in with an impressive nine goals so far and is the joint second top scorer in the entire division.
The visitors will come to Meadow Park with high spirites after their 89th minute winner against Wrexham on Saturday.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
“THE DESTROYER”
LAURENCE MAGUIRE
Maguire is a product of Chesterfield’s academy and signed his first professional contract with the club in 2015.
Brother of England and Manchester United Defender Harry, Laurence is also regarded as an England International after he was called up to the England C team in 2018.
In 2017, Maguire was loaned out to AFC Fylde where he made five appearances before being recalled by the Spireites.
The 23-year-old has notched up a total of 83 first team appearances for the Spireites, including 14 this season.
“THE PLAYMAKER”
JAK McCOURT
Jak McCourt began his footballing career with Leicester City, and spent time on loan with Torquay United and Port Vale during while with the Foxes.
In 2016, McCourt signed for Barnsley but made just one first team appearance before then joining Northampton Town.
McCourt spent just one season with the Cobblers before he signed for Chesterfield in July 2017. The Midfielder then had spells with Swindon Town and Macclesfield Town before the Silkmen went into liquidation.
Consequently, McCourt then joined the Spireites for his second spell at the start of the 2020/21 campaign.
“THE FINISHER”
AKWASI ASANTE
Asante began his senior career with Birmingham City and made his debut for the Blues in 2011.
In search for regular first team football, Asante joined Northampton Town and then Shrewsbury Town on loan.
In 2014, Asante signed for Kidderminster Harriers prior to making a move to National League North side Solihull Moors in 2015.
Asante was integral in the Moors’ National League North title winning campaign in the 2015/16 season, and scored 28 goals in 61 appearances during his time at Damson Park.
This impressive goal scoring record attracted a lot of attention from Football League clubs, but it was Grimsby Town in League 2 who won the signature of the sought after forward. Due to injury, his game time was limited at Grimsby and he was therefore released in 2018 which saw a move to Tamsworth for Asante.
The 28-year-old spent the 2019/20 campaign with Chester in the National League North and scored an impressive 22 goals in 33 games.
Asante joined the Spireites this season and has so far scored an impressive six goals in seven appearances, including a brace in Saturday’s home win against Wrexham.
LAST TIME WE MET
Boreham Wood 2-2 Chesterfield
Saturday 10th August 2019
Meadow Park, Vanarama National League
The deadlock was broken in the 15th minute when Kabongo Tshimanga was tripped in the penalty area, and then converted from the spot.
The Spireites then levelled the scoring via Scott Boden when he found himself on the end of a Joe Rowley cross to fire home. Chesterfield took the lead on the brink of half-time when Jonathan Smith headed home from a corner past Gregory in the home side’s net.
Adam McDonnell equalised for Wood in the 52nd minute, and shortly after the Spireites were reduced to 10 men when Laurence Maguire was sent off for a late challenge on Keiran Murtagh.
From there on in, Wood dominated proceedings, but the visitors did well to hold on to a point.
PRE MATCH WORDS
STAY HOME, STAY SAFE
LIVE STREAM
Unfortunately, no fans will be allowed to attend this fixture, however, you can watch the game live by purchasing our BWFCtv Match Pass for just £9.99. You will receive the live stream, match commentary and a complimentary e-programme, too – BUY YOURS HERE
LIVE UPDATES
Alternatively, you can keep up with the action via our Twitter and Instagram pages, where there will be regular updates throughout the course of the match.
Instagram: @boreham_woodfc
Twitter: @boreham_woodfc
OUR CLUB. OUR TOWN. OUR COMMUNITY.
Match Preview written by Joe Karadzas (Press Assistant)