Boreham Wood vs AFC Wimbledon
Saturday 8th January 2022, KO 3.00pm
LV Bet Stadium Meadow Park, Emirates FA Cup 3rd Round
THE CONTEXT
This Saturday, Wood’s FA Cup journey continues in the 3rd Round, looking to get further in England’s oldest competition than they’ve ever gone before as they host League One outfit AFC Wimbledon.
The Dons will be keen to bounce back from their defeat to Oxford United last time out, having reached this stage with a thrilling 4-3 win over Cheltenham Town in the 2nd Round.
Wood had to overcome local rivals St Albans City in the previous round, comfortably dispatching of the Saints 4-0 and they will be looking to return to winning ways after their goalless draw with Barnet last week.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
“THE DESTROYER”
ALEX WOODYARD
After spending time in the Academies of Charlton Athletic and Southend United, Alex Woodyard progressed through the ranks of the latter to make his professional debut at the end of 2010, playing a handful of times before the tender age of 17. After a loan spell with Farnborough in 2011, he returned to Southend and won the Shrimpers’ Player of the Month awards for October and November 2012, but another loan spell at Braintree Town preceded the end of his time at Roots Hall after four years. Stints with Dartford, Concord Rangers and a return to Braintree saw him follow his former Concord Rangers and Braintree Town Manager Danny Cowley to Lincoln City, where he impressed and won Player of the Season award as they won promotion back to the Football League. Two years at Peterborough United was followed by a loan spell with Tranmere Rovers, before joining AFC Wimbledon in 2020 on a permanent basis.
“THE PLAYMAKER”
AYOUB ASSAL
After leaving Millwall, 19-year-old attacking midfielder Ayoub Assal joined AFC Wimbledon at under 12 level and after progressing through the Don’s Academy, he signed his first professional contract in 2019. Loan spells with Metropolitan Police either side of his senior debut for the Dons in an EFL Trophy defeat to Southend United saw him gain further experience, before a further loan with Billericay Town. The arrival of Mark Robinson as First Team Manager has benefitted the youngster, with Robinson having coached Assal at Academy level, and he enjoyed his breakthrough campaign for AFC Wimbledon last season. He struck his first league goal as a late substitute away at Shrewsbury Town which earned his side a vital point, before going on to play a key role in their League One safety. A double in a 5-1 win at Accrington Stanley won more plaudits and he was named EFL Young Player of the Month for April 2021.
“THE FINISHER”
OLLIE PALMER
The grandson of former AFC Wimbledon FC player Tony Wright, Ollie Palmer graduated from the Woking Academy whilst enjoying loan spells at St Albans City and Boreham Wood preceding his permanent departure from the Cards. He joined Havant & Waterlooville, finishing the 2012/13 season as the Conference South joint top scorer with 25 goals and was also named Player of the Year. His form saw him earn a move to then-newly promoted League Two Club Mansfield Town, before a loan spell at Grimsby Town, where he started in the 2015 Conference play-off final. Further spells with Leyton Orient and Lincoln City sandwiched a loan spell at Luton Town, featuring in the FA Trophy final for Lincoln after being named in the Team of the Tournament. Two years at Crawley Town brought 30 goals in 76 appearances, before signing for AFC Wimbledon and netting vital goals to help them stay in League One.
LAST TIME WE MET
Boreham Wood 0 – 0 AFC Wimbledon
Saturday 28th July 2018
Pre-Season Friendly
LV Bet Stadium Meadow Park
The Wood ended their pre-season campaign ahead of the 2018/19 season with a goalless draw against League One side AFC Wimbledon. Mitch Pinnock forced a save out of Wood stopper Ryan Huddart after just two minutes to bring the game to life early on. Huddart was called into action again shortly after when he made a low save from Anthony Wordsworth. The hosts looked to grasp control with Angelo Balanta’s effort ending up just wide of the near post, and chances continued coming for the Wood. An entertaining first half came to an end goalless, contrasting with the opening stages of the second that saw little action. Morgan Ferrier, Manny Parry and Keiran Murtagh tried to test Joe McDonnell before it was former-Don Femi Ilesanmi who produced Wood’s best effort of the afternoon, forcing a good save with twenty minutes remaining. A late free kick for the visitors was unable to break the deadlock before the final whistle blew.
PRE-MATCH WORDS
HOW TO WATCH
MATCH TICKETS
This is a sold out all ticket event, meaning there will be no tickets available to purchase on the day. However, our ticket office will be open for any ticketing enquiries.
For any questions ahead of the fixture please contact our ticketing department via bwfcticketing@gmail.com.
LIVE UPDATES
You can keep up with the action via our Twitter and Instagram pages, where there will be regular updates throughout the course of the match.
Instagram: @boreham_woodfc
Twitter: @boreham_woodfc
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