MATCH PREVIEW: WEALDSTONE (H)

Boreham Wood vs Wealdstone
Saturday, 6th April 2024, 3:00 pm
Mangata Pay UK Stadium Meadow Park, Vanarama National League

PREVIEW

In the week of Luke Garrard’s end-of-season departure announcement, it looks set to be another massive afternoon at Meadow Park tomorrow as the Wood host local visitors, Wealdstone, a must-win game in our fight for survival in the national league and the push to end the gaffers final season with the club on a high. Our last encounter with the Stones came back in October as we made the short journey to Grosvenor Vale. The game saw the Wood take the lead inside 18 minutes through a wonderful Erico Sousa finish into the bottom left corner of the Stones’ net. However, just before the half-time break, the home side drew the score level through their number 7, Tarryn Allarakhia. The second half would see the Stones go down to 10 men with Mason Barrett being shown a second yellow for a foul on Femi Ilesanmi. However, despite having the 1 man advantage, the Wood were unable to find the winner. The Stones sit just 2 places above the Wood in the table on 20th, having accrued 3 more points than Luke Garrard’s men. As both sides seek to retain their National League status, it is sure to be a tough battle. The gaffer and his side need you to be the 12th man tomorrow.

FORM GUIDE

Wealdstone – L-L-L-D-L

David Noble parted ways with St. Albans City to take charge of Wealdstone in January. Since then, the North-West London side have won 25% of their games, winning 4, drawing 5 and losing 7. The Stones’ position in the league is mirrored in the form guide where they sit 20th after suffering 4 losses, playing out a draw and only winning once in their previous 6 in the league. After their FA Trophy quarter-final exit on penalties to Solihull Moors, the Stones would respond with a 2-1 win on the road against AFC Fylde. Dillon De Silva put David Noble’s side 1-0 up in the 9th minute of play. Wealdstone would take the narrow lead into half-time but, 13 minutes into second half proceedings, the Coasters equalised through Nick Haughton. However, it wouldn’t be long after that the Stones grabbed the winner with Manny Duku firing home with a superb strike into the top right of the Fylde net. David Noble’s men would then return to Grosvenor Vale for the 2 following fixtures, the first being against Bromley. It would be the Ravens who took home the 3 points from this London derby, despite going down to 10 men, as Michael Cheek fired home in the 74th minute.

This was followed by a 1-1 draw to Kidderminster Harriers in a game which saw the visitors equalise late on. Max Kretzschmar broke the deadlock for the Stones on the stroke of half time but, as it looked like the home side would secure a crucial 3 points against a relegation rival, Ashley Hemmings would level for the visitors with a goal in the 82nd minute. In their penultimate game of March, the Stones would make the journey up the M1 to Altrincham. It would, however, be a day to forget for Wealdstone as they were thrashed in Greater Manchester despite briefly leading in the game as Charlie Barker put the Stones 1-0 up in the 33rd minute. David Noble’s side would only hang onto their lead for 3 minutes as Alex Newby levelled for the home side. This would be the start of a Wealdstone collapse as the Robins put 3 more past Marcus Dewhurst in the Stones’ net, the game finishing 4-1. Following this, Wealdstone’s poor form would continue as they travelled to bottom of the league, Oxford City. The hosts came away with the 3 points after a 1-0 win and this was followed by a visit from Solihull Moors on Monday. The Stones would fail to get revenge for their FA Trophy exit, however, as the Moors’ Jamey Osborne won the tie in the 96th minute.

ONES TO WATCH

Jack Cook:

30-year-old defender and skipper, Jack Cook joined the North-West London side from Woking in June 2021. Before his move, the full back demonstrated his skill over three impressive seasons in Surrey, racking up 127 appearances for the Cardinals. His time there was marked by significant contributions to their promotion from National League South in 2018/19 and a memorable FA Cup run, where they faced Premier League, at the time, Watford in the 3rd Round of the competition. Acknowledged for his outstanding performances, he secured the Wealdstone Supporters’ Player of the Season award for two consecutive years and was given the captain’s armband after his debut season at Grosvenor Vale. In the current season, Cook has bagged 5 goals in 37 league appearances, his most recent coming in a 3-2 win away at York City.

PRE-MATCH INTERVIEW