Dover Athletic v Boreham Wood
Tuesday 12th January 2021, 7.45pm
The Crabble Stadium, Vanarama National League
THE CONTEXT
Boreham Wood travel to the South coast tomorrow evening, where we face bottom of the table Dover Athletic in the Vanarama National League at the Crabble Stadium.
The Whites’ previous competitive fixture came on Boxing Day when they hosted Dagenham & Redbridge in front of the BT Sport cameras. It was a goal from former Wood man Angelo Balanta in the 47th minute that was enough for the Daggers to come away with all three points.
Wood made history by entering the 3rd Round of the Emirates FA Cup for the first time in the Club’s history but unfortunately were knocked out by Championship side Millwall when we lost 2-0 at Meadow Park on Saturday.
THE FORM GUIDE
THE WOOD
Previous six games (in all competitions): –
Millwall (H) | FAC | 0-2 L
Barnet (A) | VNL | 0-3 W
Aldershot Town (H) | VNL | 3-2 W
Notts County (A) | VNL | 0-1 W
Hartlepool (A) | VNL | 1-2 W
Canvey Island (A) | FAC | 0-3 W
History was made at Meadow Park on Saturday when we faced Millwall in the illustrious 3rd Round of the Emirates FA Cup for the first time in our history.
The game started with an early attack from Wood which ended in Lions defender Jack Cooper picking up a yellow card inside the first minute of the game for a late tackle on Kabongo Tshimanga. Wood keeper Nathan Ashmore was called into action early on and made several emphatic saves to keep the score level.
After a long period of attack from the visitors, the inevitable happened when West Bromwich Albion loanee Kenneth Zahore fired home past Ashmore to open the scoring. Despite going into the break a goal down, Wood were far from out of the tie and with a much improved start to the second half, Wood created several chances.
In the 51st minute of the game, Cooper who received a yellow card in the opening minute, looked to close-line Morias but somehow, the referee kept his cards in his pocket, much to Luke Garrard’s disgrace.
After a good spell of attacking football from the home side, the visitors raced up the other end of the pitch, won a corner kick, and the resulting corner met the head of Lions defender Shaun Hutchinson who doubled the deficit making the score 2-0.
Ashmore showed his class throughout the game, supporting Garrard’s claims of him being the best keeper in the league which rightfully earned him the MOTM award.
Although the Wood come into Tuesday’s fixture on the back of a 2-0 defeat, we are still 5 games unbeaten in the league with our last defeat coming in November against Altrincham. We now also have Junior Morias back in the squad, on loan from St Mirren who looked dangerous playing just behind Matt Rhead and Tshimanga on Saturday.
THE WHITES
Previous six games (in all competitions): –
Dagenham & Redbridge (H) | VNL | 0-1 L
Woking (A) | VNL | 2-1 L
Kings Lynn Town (A) | VNL | 2-0 L
Woking (H) | VNL | 1-5 L
Altrincham (H) |VNL | 0-1 L
Eastleigh (H) | VNL | 3-2 W
Dover Athletic currently sit bottom on the Vanarama National League, albeit have at least four games in hand over the seven teams above them.
Even though the Whites have played considerably less games than the rest of the league, they noticeably have the worst goal scoring record, with having scored just six goals in their ten games played.
Only four teams have conceded more goals than the Whites, which is a particularly bad stat considering the number of games that Dover have played in comparison to the rest of the division.
The Whites come into this fixture on the back of a 1-0 home defeat to the Daggers, this defeat means that they have won just once out of their previous 11 competitive fixtures.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
“THE DESTROYER”
SAM WOOD
Sam Wood began his senior career with Cray Wanderers, before he then went on to feature over 150 times for National league side Bromley FC.
After three years with the Ravens, Wood joined League Two side Brentford winning promotion during his opening season with the Bees, as well as picking up Supporter’s Player of the Season.
During his time with the Bees, Wood spent time on loan in League Two with Rotherham United. Following three years with Brentford, Wood moved on to Wycombe Wanderers where he went to spend five successful seasons, featuring 213 times.
Wood then moved on to Eastleigh where he spent one season, before a move back to the Ravens at the start of the 2018/19 campaign.
After signing for the Whites at the start of this season, he was instantly made club captain by Andy Hessenthaler, who Wood played under during his time with Eastleigh in 2017/18.
“THE PLAYMAKER”
JACK MUNNS
Munns came through the youth academy with Leyton Orient and then on to Tottenham Hotspur but was released and the attacking Midfielder joined Charlton in the Championship. Failing to impress he was released after spending just the single season at the club.
His signature was wanted by many, but in 2015 he opted to sign for National League side Cheltenham Town. Munns helped the Robins win the National League in his first season with the club and netted 60 times across a two-year period.
The Robins were then relegated from the Football League in 2017 and Munns joined fellow National League side Dagenham & Redbridge for a single season where he featured 26 times.
The 27-year-old joined the Whites in 2019 and has made 34 appearances for them since.
“THE FINISHER”
AHKEEM ROSE
Ahkeem Rose signed an 18-month contract with Grimsby Town in 2016 following a successful trial period with the club.
The Forward made 43 appearances in all competitions with the League 2 side before being released by the Mariners in May 2020.
Rose signed for the Whites at the start of this season and made his debut on the opening day of the season coming on as a substitute in the 73rd minute.
The 22 year old has made 12 appearances so far this season with starting six of them and bagging himself two assists.
LAST TIME WE MET
Dover Athletic 0-2 Boreham Wood
Saturday 7th December 2019
The Crabble Stadium, Vanarama National League
Sorba Thomas opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute for the third successive away game.
The in-form Tshimanga pounced on a defensive error from the Whites and squared it to Justin Shaibu in the 59th minute to double the lead for The Wood.
This win extended our unbeaten run to seven games in the National League which spurred the side on to finish in a play-off place.
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 via Dover Althics stream which costs £8 and can be purchased HERE.
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)
