Aldershot Town v Boreham Wood
Saturday 20th March 2021, 3.00 pm
The EBB Stadium, Vanarama National League
THE CONTEXT
Boreham Wood travel to The EBB Stadium on Saturday where they will match up against Aldershot Town in the Vanarama National League.
In their recent fixture, the Shots were on the road to face FC Halifax Town and lost 1-0 thanks to a Jamie Allen winner in the 83rd minute.
Whereas Wood hosted Notts County at Meadow Park and drew for the fourth consecutive game as it finished 2-2.
THE FORM GUIDE
THE WOOD
Previous six games (in all competitions): –
Notts County (H) | VNL | 2-2 D
Torquay United (H) | VNL | 0-0 D
Woking (A) | VNL | 0-0 D
Dagenham & Redbridge (A) | VNL | 2-2 D
Wealdstone (A) | VNL | 1-0 L
Solihull Moors (H) | VNL | 2-2 D
On Tuesday evening, Wood had to settle for a point against Notts County, despite going two goals to the good, the visitors scored twice in the last 15 minutes to make it 2-2.
Wood came out the blocks flying and opened the scoring after just two minutes on the clock when Kabongo Tshimanaga laid the ball back well to Tyrone Marsh who struck superbly from 20 yards past Sam Slocombe in the County net. Ashmore was called into action on several occasions in the first half and in familiar fashion saved well to keep Wood in-front.
In the 55th minute, Tshimanga doubled our lead when he played a well-executed one two with Keiran Murtagh and finished well to score his 12th league goal of the season.
The following 20 minutes were dominated on all fronts by Luke Garard’s side but in the 75th minute, a goal from nothing came from the hosts when Michael Doyle whipped in a corner and the ball deflected in the net off a Wood player past Ashmore.
Controversy struck in the 85th minute when the referee gave a penalty for the Magpies after the ball allegedly hit a Wood hand, much to the players and Garrard’s disgrace but Inih Effiong stayed composed and tucked home the equaliser from the spot.
The game ended 2-2 much to Wood’s disappointment as another dominant performance goes beckoning and we are now with just one win from our last 10 games.
THE SHOTS
Previous six games (in all competitions): –
FC Halifax Town (A) | VNL | 1-0 L
Altrincham (H) | VNL | 2-1 W
Hereford (H) | FAT | 1-1 (3-5 Penalties) L
Maidenhead United (A) | VNL | 3-1 W
Wrexham (H) | VNL | 3-0 W
Solihull Moors (H) | VNL | 1-3 L
In their recent fixture on Tuesday, the shots travelled to Play-Off candidates FC Halifax Town and came away on the wrong end of a 1-0 defeat.
Prior to Tuesday’s defeat, the Shots had won three on the bounce in the National League, all three wins came against sides that sit above them in the League.
Danny Searle’s side have struggled at the back this season and currently have the 6th worst defensive record conceding 38 goals.
Despite the hosts for Saturday’s game currently sitting three places below the Wood, they have three games in hand and sit just two points behind us.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
“THE DESTROYER”
KODI LYONS-FOSTER
Lyons-Foster spent time in Tottenham Hotspur’s youth academy before he made the switch to Aston Villa where he signed as a scholar.
In 2016 the defender joined Bristol City but soon after went out on loan to non-league side Guernsey.
He signed for Aldershot in 2017 but only made seven appearances and left the following January when he signed for Whitehawk.
National League side Braintree Town then came calling for Lyons-Foster and he was a mainstay for the Irons in the 2017/18 campaign.
Lyons-Foster then re-joined the Shots in 2019 for his second stint at the EBB Stadium and has featured 24 times for his side this season.
“THE PLAYMAKER
JOSH REES
Josh Rees came through the youth academy with Arsenal and left in 2013 for Nottingham Forest where he made his senior debut.
In 2015, Rees went on loan to Nuneaton Town and then the following season to Torquay United where he featured 18 times in the National League.
Rees then signed for National League South side Chelmsford City and went on to make 49 appearances scoring eight goals.
The midfielder signed for National League outfit Bromley in 2017 and went on to score an impressive 16 goals and assist eight times in the 2017/18 season, helping his side reach the FA Trophy final.
Rees then spent time in League One with Gillingham during the 2018/19 campaign and spent last season with Bromley where he was integral in the Raven’s side featuring over 30 times.
The experienced midfielder then joined the Shots at the start of this season and is the club captain of his new side.
“THE FINISHER
MOHAMED BETTAMER
Mo Bettamer spent time in the youth academy with Watford but unfortunately was not offered a professional deal.
Following his release from Watford, Bettamer signed for Hayes & Yeading in 2011 but soon after went on loan to Bedfont Town due to a lack of game time.
The 27-year-old then had a successful spell with Staines Town and in the 2017/18 campaign, he had an impressive 29 goal campaign which earnt him a move to Wood’s local rivals, Barnet.
His time with the Bees was frustrating and lacked game time which meant he would spend time on loan with Welling United and Hemel Hempstead Town.
In 2019 Bettamer joined the Shots and has featured 25 times in all competitions so far this season.
LAST TIME WE MET
Boreham Wood 3-2 Aldershot Town
Saturday 12th December 2020
Meadow Park, Vanarama National League
Kabongo Tshimanga opened the scoring from the spot in the 12th minute after Jamal Fyfield was brought down in the penalty area.
In the 21st minute, Gus Mafuta doubled Wood’s lead after he found himself on the rebound of a well saved shot from Brad James in the Shots net.
The visitors reduced the deficit to one goal in the 28th minute when Shadrach Ogie smashed home a long-range effort.
An equaliser for the Shots came in the 53rd minute when Fyfield attempted to defend a cross but invertedly turned the ball into his own net.
Sorba Thomas grabbed a late winner for Wood in the 87th minute when his pace proved too much for the Shots backline, rounded the keeper and finished well to make the score 3-2.
PRE MATCH WORDS
STAY HOME, STAY SAFE
LIVE STREAM
Unfortunately, no fans will be allowed to attend this fixture, however, you can watch the game live by purchasing the Shots TV live stream for £11.99.
LIVE UPDATES
Alternatively, 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
OUR CLUB. OUR TOWN. OUR COMMUNITY.
Match Preview written by Joe Karadzas (Press Assistant) in association with LV BET.
