by John Mead.
Wood travel to play off chasers Dover Athletic this weekend in the first of a difficult double header on the road. The Whites are currently fifth in the table, embroiled in a tight mini competition to secure a play off place, with six sides in reality sitting just below our hosts, all with a chance of a stab at glory come the end of next month.
Athletic have recorded two very significant results of late, namely beating Havant and Waterlooville 3-4, before holding Eastbourne Borough to a goalless draw last Saturday at Crabble, two sides looking to leapfrog The Whites into fifth spot. However, Farnborough ended their seven match unbeaten run last Tuesday, with a 0-1 win, making our game one of significant importance for Chris Kinnear’s charges.
Our record at Crabble suggests we may be something of a bogey side of late, having won on our previous two visits. It is three seasons ago since we last lost to Dover, but with games coming thick and fast and our two midweek cup ties surely having taken their toll on the squad, it will need a measured approach from the boys to come away with something. That said, we have shown we are more than capable of being party poopers as our recent fine win at home to 4th placed Ebbsfleet United suggests.
Earlier this year we played out a 2-2 draw at Meadow Park in atrocious conditions, with Jeff Goulding bagging a brace for the travelling Whites.
It could not get any tougher for Ian Allinson with a trip to in form third place Sutton United coming up just three days after our arduous trip to Kent.
Speaking before our trip to Hitchin on Thursday night, The Gaffer remained cautious regarding the Dover tie, commenting, “ Silverware has taken a precedent this week with two games in 48 hours, but that should not distract from our progress in the League. We may well have already done most of the hard work in terms of survival, but we still need at least one win and soon to be sure. There will be tired legs and we may have to adapt our game plan to get something from this game.”
Dover Athletic v Boreham Wood.
Saturday March 29th, kick off 3pm.
Crabble Athletic Ground, Lewisham Road, River, Dover. CT17 0JB.
