Match preview: Hemel Hempstead (H)

Tomorrow, Luke Garrard’s men host local rivals Hemel Hempstead in the Vanarama National League South, kicking off at 15:00.

Last season for the Tudors

Hemel Hempstead Town narrowly avoided relegation from the Vanarama National League South. That season, the Tudors finished 20th, just four points clear of the relegation zone, with a record of 13 wins, 11 draws, and 22 losses.

Form guide

The Tudors have proven hard to beat in recent weeks, with just one loss in their previous six fixtures. With two wins, three draws and one loss, Hemel Hempstead find themselves 12th in the form guide, helping lift them to 10th in the Vanarama National League South table.

In their previous outing, Hemel Hempstead endured a 1–1 stalemate against Enfield at Vauxhall Road. Lee Allinson’s side had a nightmare start as the visitors went ahead through a fourth-minute Lennon Peake opener. The Tudors grew into the game soon after; however, it took until the 67th minute to find an equaliser through Joe White’s finish. Although both sides pushed for a winner, they had to settle for a point.

Last time we met

The Wood edged a thrilling Hertfordshire derby 4–3 at Hemel Hempstead thanks to a late Matt Rush winner. Femi Ilesanmi, Kwesi Appiah, and Tom Whelan gave Wood a 3–1 half-time lead, but the hosts fought back through Oliver Lynch and Brandon Barzey, who scored twice. Barzey’s second, a stunning 20-yard strike, levelled the match with nine minutes left. Wood regained the lead six minutes later when Appiah’s effort was saved and Rush tucked in the rebound, with the visitors holding on to seal victory and spark jubilant celebrations between players and travelling fans.

One to watch

Brandon Barzey will be one for Wood to keep an eye on tomorrow afternoon. The Montserrat international has been a regular in the side and has scored 11 goals this season, including a brace against Wood in the reverse fixture.

The Wood

Luke Garrard’s side bounced back to winning ways in their previous fixture against Salisbury. The Wood had dropped to seventh after three consecutive defeats to Weymouth, Dorking Wanderers and Maidstone United, but Saturday’s 3–0 win lifted them to sixth, with ambitions of climbing further up the table.

The Wood got off to a great start in the win against Salisbury, with Matt Rush’s ninth-minute finish giving them the lead. Rush secured his brace late in the second half to double the advantage, and Erico Sousa rounded off the scoring in the 84th minute, redeeming his earlier penalty miss.

Pre-match interview

Can’t join us tomorrow afternoon?

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