Boreham Wood v Eastleigh
Saturday 30th January 2021, 3.00pm
Meadow Park, Vanarama National League
THE CONTEXT
Boreham Wood host 15th place Eastleigh in the Vanarama National League at Meadow Park on Saturday.
The Spitfires’ last fixture came on Tuesday evening when they hosted Dagenham & Redbridge and comfortably won 3-0.
The Wood extended their unbeaten run in the league to eight games on Tuesday, when an in-form Chesterfield side travelled to Meadow Park and partook in a 0-0 draw.
THE FORM GUIDE
THE WOOD
Previous six games (in all competitions): –
Chesterfield (H) | VNL| 0-0 D
Stockport (A) | VNL| 1-1 D
Torquay (H) | FAT | 0-4 L
Dover (A) | VNL | 1-1 D
Millwall (H) | FAC | 0-2 L
Barnet (A) | VNL | 0-3 W
Meadow Park was the venue to host the two most in-from sides in the National League when Chesterfield came to town on Tuesday where the points were shared after the game finished 0-0.
In the early stages of the game, it was the visitors who dominated proceedings but in familiar fashion to recent weeks, the Wood defence were well organised and soaked up the pressure well. On the brink of half-time, Wood had a rare chance when Junior Morias raced through, but his effort was blazed over the bar.
In the 56th minute, Tom Champion and Corey Whitley were introduced by Garrard and from there on in, Wood dominated the game and controlled possession.
Morias had the ball in the back of the net in the 72nd minute but unfortunately it was given as offside, much to the surprise of both benches.
This draw extended Wood’s unbeaten run to eight games in the league with our last defeat coming at home to Altrincham back in early November.
THE SPITFIRES
Previous six games (in all competitions): –
Dagenham & Redbridge (H) |VNL | 3-0 W
Sutton United (A) | VNL | 3-0 L
Kings Lynn Town (H) | VNL | 0-1 L
Weymouth (A) | VNL | 1-1 D
Woking (A) | VNL | 0-0 D
Weymouth (H) | VNL | 0-0 D
The Spitfires come into this fixture off the back of an impressive 3-0 home victory against the Daggers thanks to a goal from Ryan Hill and a brace from Joe Tomlinson.
Prior to Tuesday’s win, the Spitfires had not won a single game in their previous eight fixtures, in all competitions.
Despite sitting 15th in the league table, Ben Strevens’ side have been impressive on their defensive duties this season with conceding 19 goals so far this season.
With the close nature of the National League, despite Wood sitting five places above our visitors for Saturday’s match, a win would see the Spitfires leapfrog us into the top half of the table.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
“THE DESTROYER”
JOE PARTINGTON
Parrington began his youth career with Portsmouth but was released in 2006 and went on to sign for AFC Bournemouth.
The defender spent four years with Bournemouth where he made a total of 52 appearances in League One. During his time with the Cherries, Partington spent time on loan with Eastbourne Borough and Aldershot Town before he signed for Eastleigh in 2015.
In the 2015/16 season, Partington won the Player of the Season award with the Spitfires. The 30-year-old then parted ways with Eastleigh in 2017 and signed for Bristol Rovers where he went on to feature 53 times.
Partington re-signed for the Spitfires in 2019 and has been a mainstay in the side making 44 appearances since his re-joined.
“THE PLAYMAKER”
JACK PAYNE
Jack Payne came through the youth system with Gillingham and made his senior debut in 2008 against Chester City in League two.
Due to a lack of game time, Payne joined Peterborough on loan in 2013 where the deal was made permanent in the following season.
In 2016, Payne joined Blackpool and featured in the League Two play-off final victory over Exeter City. After spending just one season with Blackpool, Payne then signed for Ebbsfleet where he spent two years and made over 50 appearances.
Payne spent time on loan with Eastleigh in 2018 and a year later the deal was made permanent. The midfielder has been pivotal to Eastleigh’s squad since he joined and has featured over 60 times, barely missing a game.
“THE FINISHER”
BEN HOUSE
Ben House started his youth career with Aldershot Town before joining the academy at Reading in 2016. A year later, House signed his first professional contract but was released from the deal with the Royals at the end of last season.
House spent time on loan with Swindon Town and Dagenham & Redbridge during last season’s campaign. The 21-year-old featured 11 times for the Daggers last season and scored two goals along the way.
The impressive performances attracted the attention of several National League clubs but it was Eastleigh who won the signature of the young forward.
House is Eastleigh’s top scorer this season and was named National League Player of the Month in Novermber for his performances in the previous month where he scored five goals.
LAST TIME WE MET
Boreham Wood 2-2 Eastleigh
Saturday 28th December 2020
Meadow Park, Vanarama National League
Boreham Wood took an early lead after just eight minutes played when Piero Mingoia found himself on the end of an inviting Kane Smith cross.
On the stroke of half-time, the Spitfires equalised via a Danny Hollands header. The lead for Wood was soon restored in the first minute of the second half when Jamal Fyfield headed home to make the score 2-1.
After a dominant second half display from Wood, Eastleigh capitalised on a rare chance in the dying embers of the game when Tyrone Barnett headed home Jack Payne’s cross.
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 our BWFCtv Match Pass for just £9.99. You will receive the live stream, match commentary and a complimentary e-programme, too – BUY YOURS 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)
