Boreham Wood 0-1 Watford
Mangata Pay UK Stadium Meadow Park
Tuessday, 10th July, 6pm
Pre-Season Friendly
Man of the Match: Nathan Ashmore
As a new era began at Boreham Wood FC, newly instated Head Coach, Ross Jenkins began his Wood management career against his former club Watford. This was the first of seven pre-season friendly matches before the Vanarama National League South kicks off on the of 10th August. In the end, a second half goal by Jack Grieves was enough to give the Hornets a narrow 1-0 win.
First Half
It was a cagey opening as both sides looked to regain their match sharpness. Former Blackpool midfielder, Tom Ince had the games first chance on nine minutes for the Hornets, but he fired just wide. Eight minutes later, Ince had another effort which was on target, but Nathan Ashmore pulled off a smart stop. On twenty minutes, Boreham Wood had their first chance of the match but Kwesi Appiah miskicked it from the edge of the area. Straight away, the visitors should have broken the deadline when following an excellent run, Ryan Andrews crossed into the path of Vakoun Bayo who could only sky it from close range.
In the space of two minutes just before the half hour mark, Ince had another good chance for Watford but volleyed over before Wesley Hoedt’s well struck long range effort was tipped over by Nathan Ashmore. On thirty-seven minutes, Ince had his fourth effort of the half but again, couldn’t keep his shot on target. Two minutes later Leo Ramirez-Espain forced Ashmore into another good save
Second Half
The visitors continued their attacking dominance in the second half and five minutes after the restart, took a deserved lead. A James Morris shot was saved by Ashmore, but the ball bounced back into the path of Jack Grieves who had a simple chance which he poked home past Ashmore. On fifty-nine minutes, Shaq Forde forced another excellent save from Ashmore. Imran Louza twice went close for the visitors soon afterwards but couldn’t put the ball in the net.
On sixty-eight minutes, out of nothing Boreham Wood got a lifeline. A Watford player was adjudged to have handballed it in the penalty area. However, Trialist C struck the foot of the post with keeper Jonathan Bond beaten. Five minutes later Kwadwo Baah was off target for the Hornets. With two minutes left Grieves forced yet another save by Ashmore
Championship quality told in the end as Watford were the dominant side and had numerous opportunities to add to their lead. Ashmore was outstanding and the main reason the score stayed at 1-0. Despite Watford winning the match, and it was a good opportunity for Ross Jenkins to get minutes into his players, improve their fitness and implement a change of playing style which was noted by Boreham Wood supporters.
Full Time: Boreham Wood 0-1 Watford
By Brett Lewis
Boreham Wood 1st half team: Ashmore, Coxe, Payne, Bush, Agbontohoma, Goodard. Appiah, O’Connell, Trialist A, Trialist B, Sousa
Boreham Wood 2nd Half team: Ashmore, Ilesamni, Whelan, Sagaf, Trialist A , Marsh, Hare, O’Connell, Clayden, Sousa, Trialist D
Watford starting line-up: Bachmann, Hoedt, Ince, Rajovic,Tikvic, Bayo, Morris, Dele-Bashiru, Andrews, Ramirex-Espain, Clarridge
Subs: Bond, Marriott, Pollock, Louza, Sema, Abbott, Adu-Poku, Baah, Kayembe, Forde, Grieves, Eames
