It really is do or die for Wood this Easter weekend with two games against top five opposition the ominous task facing Luke Garrard and his side. First up on Good Friday is a trip to the World Of Smile Stadium, when League leaders The Robins will be looking to atone for their recent defeat at Braintree Town.
Garrard is well aware of the task ahead; “ There will be a backlash to that defeat, no doubt, yet we go into this weekend without any fear. I know in my mind what we need to achieve points wise to attempt to pull out of trouble and we will be attempting to achieve our goal.”
It was a rather unconventional way to prepare for such a tough and important weekend of football, but two hours of football and a subsequent penalty shoot-out may may have done the squad a favour. With victories sporadic and consistency absent throughout the League campaign, reaching a final of a cup competition with a real togetherness and fighting spirit against Bishops Stortford in midweek provided game time and a combative match atmosphere that training grounds cannot replicate.
Town, like their close rivals Forest Green Rovers in the two horse title race have dropped points of late. The Robins have won just one of their last five League matches, which mirrors the current form of Wood. Another similarity is the fantastic away defensive record that both clubs share. Along with Braintree Town the trio have shipped just fifteen goals on the road to date.
Of course the comparison’s end there, with the difference in points gained between the two sides (46) possibly enough to keep Wood in the Division for another year!
The one game that bought maximum points for Town in March was the 4-0 drubbing of Woking, when Dan Holman, against his former club netted all four. Four is also the number of times the Wood defence have been up against the 2nd highest scorer in the Division so far this campaign, three of those occasions when he was at Woking, when alongside the commendable goal less draw at Meadow Park in the reverse fixture to this tie he failed to score.
Garrard concluded; “ We have eight Cup Finals now, (well nine actually!) that will decide our fate. The time for looking at other teams results is over. We remain confident as a group and hope that we can give the fans something to cheer this weekend.”
Wood follow this game up with a home tie against Dover Athletic on Easter Monday afternoon.
Cheltenham Town v Boreham Wood.
Friday March 25th, kick off 3pm.
World Of Smile Stadium,
Whaddon Road,
Cheltenham.
GL52 5NA.
