by John Mead.
F A Cup giant killers Eastleigh are next up at Meadow Park this Saturday, when both sides will be looking forward to getting back to League action. Inclement weather and our visitors Cup exploits mean that whilst Wood will be in League action for the first time in a fortnight, the Spitfire’s last Vanarama National League match was back on December 28th.
The visitors F A Cup exploits have included defeating First Division Crewe Alexander en route to holding Championship Bolton Wanderers at home, before bowing out of the competition in a compelling 4th Round replay, gaining notoriety throughout the land.
Eastleigh gained National League status, just the season before last winning the league title, but have quickly established themselves as one of the major forces in non league football, currently 5th in the table with games in hand over their nearest rivals. It is an impressive run of just 4 defeats in thirty on the road that compliments their high League position. Since Chris Todd took over the squad from Richard Hill back in October he has yet to taste defeat on the road, overseeing 9 wins and 2 draws.
James Constable will be the main threat for the visitors. He has fourteen goals to his name this season, double the amount of his nearest rival. He was on target when the two sides last met in August, netting the only goal of the game at The Silverlake Stadium in the 90th minute.
A glance at the current form shows Eastleigh picking up twenty points out of the last available twenty seven, scoring seventeen goals. In contrast Wood have picked up just ten points in the same period, finding the net on just four occasions. However in an attempt to improve things in front of goal, Luke Garrard will have two new strikers available for the game.
Jamie Lucas returns for his third loan spell from Bristol Rovers until the end of the season. He is still the Club’s leading marksman with his four goals hit earlier this season. Delano Sam- Yorke joins on loan from Forest Green Rovers, to compliment Jordan Chiedozie who impressed on his debut in Wood’s last outing, a 0-0 draw against League leaders Cheltenham Town, before succumbing to injury.
With the Wood defence having conceded just one goal in their last five games, it is hoped that the revamped forward line can deliver the goals to climb away from the relegation zone in the coming weeks, starting this Saturday.
Manager Luke Garrard is ; “Very pleased with our business in the transfer window and as I have said previously, recent results dictate that we fear nobody in this League. “.
Boreham Wood v Eastleigh.
Saturday January 23rd, kick off 3pm.
