Barnet born Boreham Wood boss Luke Garrard spoke of his pride and excitement at facing local rivals Barnet, ahead of the Wood’s first ever league game against John Still’s side.
The Wood gaffer made no secret of his desire to take all three points from our local neighbours, in the highly-anticipated clash.
“I am a Barnet boy,” Garrard began. “I went and watched Sean Devine at Underhill, on the terraces with my brother and my old man – I saw them win the Conference with Giuliano Grazioli.
“There is no hidden agenda on my part, I am the Boreham Wood manager, and I want to win a game of football against Barnet – I want to win two games of football against Barnet.”
The matchup between the two sides has been marked out on the calendars of the Wood Army, ever since the fixtures were released in the summer.
With the game now approaching, Garrard called on the supporters, to turn out in their numbers and back the team.
He continued: “We are four unbeaten in December, so let’s kick on from there.
“We are not here to make up the numbers, we are here to win games of football.
“On Wednesday 26th, I am hopeful that the fans turn out and give as much vocal support as possible, because for me, I think that it is going to be our biggest game of the season.”
Barnet have already brought over 635 tickets for the clash, while the Wood Army have purchased over 206, on top of their 600+ season ticket holders.
Luke Garrard praised the growth of the club in the last few years, which has allowed them to take on Barnet, as league equals.
“I am really excited to be welcoming them to the club. I think that it shows where we have come as a club, I have got to say that.
“Considering that we played three or four leagues below them, when they were in League Two at one stage. To play them on a level par, as opposed to an FA Cup game, is pretty impressive in terms of the work that the Chairman has done.
“It is a local derby, we are six/seven miles away from them in Edgware, and not only that, it is Boxing Day, everyone wants to come and watch a game of football on Boxing Day.”
However, the 33-year-old asserted that he will be treating the match, like any other league game, and is determined to come away with a result.
“They are another team in the National League, who are coming to us and want to win a game of football.
“I am looking forward to it, because like Orient, they come here and there is an agenda to it.”
