Woking 2 – 2 Boreham Wood
Saturday 11th February 2023
The Laithwaite Community Stadium, Vanarama National League
WOOD PEGGED BACK
Boreham Wood had to settle for a point against an in form Woking side. A goal in each half from Josh Rees put Luke Garrard’s men 2-0 up before a Rhys Browne double for Woking ensured it was honours even at the Laithwaite Community Stadium.
Luke Garrard made two changes from Saturday’s victory against Chesterfield with Cameron Coxe and Josh Rees coming into the starting line up for Will Evans and Zak Brunt. Coxe slotted in at right wing back with Erico Sousa moving to left wing back and Femi Ilesamni playing in the back three.
First Half
Wood started the match in the ascendancy controlling most of the early possession. Jack Payne played in Cameron Coxe who was denied by Craig Ross in the Cardinals goal after eight minutes. Rhys Browne then went close for the host but was denied by Nathan Ashmore. On thirteen minutes, Erico Sousa cut insight and fired his shot over the crossbar. Soon afterwards, Chris Bush was just off target with a header from a George Broadbent cross.
Boreham Wood took a deserved lead on twenty-seven minutes when a long Bush throw in, was cleared straight into the path of Rees, whose well struck shot sailed into the Woking goal. On forty-one minutes, Scott Cuthbert went close for the host but was off target with his header.
Second Half
The hosts started the second period on the front foot but during this period, were unable to create anything. They were made to pay on fifty-seven minutes when Boreham Wood doubled their lead with a second from Rees. For the second time, a failed clearance from the Woking defence, fell into the path of Rees who struck a sweet effort past Craig Ross. The hosts struck back three minutes later through former Wealdstone forward Rhys Browne who finished well at the far post after Ashmore had initially made a save from Luke Wilkinson. This livened up the local crowd who had been silent up that that point.
Despite this setback, Boreham Wood looked likely to get the next goal as some of their football on the break was excellent. Unfortunately they were unable to penetrate a stubborn Woking defence. Luke Garrard’s men were made to pay on seventy-eight minutes when Browne equalised. He converted, again at the far post following a nod down by Rohan Ince. Following the equaliser, both teams were trying to win. The hosts were smelling blood and sensed a winner whereas Boreham Wood were keen to right some wrongs, having previously been two goal to the good. Although the ball was mostly in Boreham Wood’s half, Rees and Jamal Fyfield both had the ball in the Woking net in the final few minutes. However their shots were ruled out for offside.
It was a good performance for the most part from Luke Garrard’s men against a very good Woking side. Although Wood may have been happy with a draw before the game, they’ll be disappointed to have surrendered a two goal lead with half an hour to go. Boreham Wood will want to
Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Coxe (Fyfield 51), Sousa, Ilesamni, Bush, Agbontohoma, Broadbent, Payne, Newton, Marsh (Lewis 74)
Subs not used: Ricketts, Ndlovu, Brunt
Woking: Ross, Casey, Cuthbert, Wilkinson, Daly, Amond (Dackers 65), Moss, Browne, Kellerman (Lofthouse 53), Hessenthaler (Mwabuckel 53), Ince
Subs not used: McNemey, O’Connell,
Man of the Match: Josh Rees
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