Hitchin Town v Boreham Wood
Tueday 11th August 2021, 7.30pm
Top Field, Pre-Season Friendly
Match Preview written by Aaron Bennis (BWFC Media Assistant)
THE CONTEXT
This evening, Wood end their pre-season schedule with a short trip to Hitchin Town, and look to build on their impressive 4-0 victory over Arsenal.
The Canaries were unable to finish their previous campaign, owing to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wood were fortunate enough to make it to May with a full season under their belt, finishing 14th in the National Premier.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
“THE DESTROYER”
BEN WALSTER
Primarily a left-sided defender, Ben Walster has been a mainstay in the Hitchin Town defence since his move in 2014. After arriving from MK Dons, he played 35 times in his debut campaign and went on to have a successful time in yellow and green over the following three seasons. He left briefly to join Chesham United and then Biggleswade United and Cambridge City, but returned in the summer of 2019. Walster has made a total of 196 appearances for the Canaries.
“THE PLAYMAKER”
ALEX MARSH
An attacking midfielder by trade, Alex Marsh has enjoyed a productive career in non-league. Having spent time in the youth teams of Rushden & Diamonds and Peterborough United, Marsh made a name for himself during his time with Biggleswade United. Having joined United ahead of the 2016/17 season, he got off to a fine start to life in Bedfordshire with 12 goals in 16 appearances. He reached the same number the following campaign before entering the 2018/19 season full of confidence. A remarkable 32 goals in 46 games from midfield secured his name in Biggleswade folklore, with an influential role in the club’s treble-winning season that saw them promoted as well as being voted Player of the Season. He soon found himself out the door, leaving as United’s all-time top scorer with a total of 62 goals in 106 games. Hitchin Town welcomed Marsh with open arms, and although he is yet to match the success of 2018/19, he has still notched nine goals in 38 games since his move to North Hertfordshire.
“THE FINISHER”
CALLUM STEAD
Callum Stead has enjoyed a fine start to life at Top Field, having joined from Welwyn Garden City last summer. After coming through the ranks at Luton Town, he endured mediocre spells with Hoddesdon Town, Langford and Biggleswade United before moving to Hertfordshire and firing home 11 goals in 30 appearances. Impressing people with his work rate and eye for goal, this caught the attention of Hitchin Town who announced his arrival ahead of the 2020/21 campaign. He scored six goals in 12 games for the club, with manager Mark Burke offering the highest of compliments by comparing the highly-rated striker to Jamie Vardy.
LAST TIME WE MET
Hitchin Town 0-1 Boreham Wood
Tuesday 10th July 2018
Top Field, Pre-Season Friendly
A narrow victory for Wood was secured thanks to a first half strike from Morgan Ferrier during pre-season.
In the initial stages, Hitchin found it difficult to gain and maintain possession with some delicate combinational moves from the Wood – one involving Femi Ilesanmi, Keiran Murtagh and Morgan Ferrier who had the anti-climax of an ‘air header’.
Despite Wood’s domination of possession, it was a first-half penalty, conceded by Jon Butler and converted by the impressive Morgan Ferrier in the 26th minute that allowed the visitors to leave victorious.
Ferrier had a nice run in possession in the second half but sent his shot over the bar. Murtagh followed shortly after with an on target free-kick but was held by Mollison in Hitchin’s goal.
It soon became clear that this game was a very useful workout for the home teams defence.
HOW TO WATCH
MATCH TICKETS
Due to the updated government guidelines, both home and away fans are now able to enter Top Field Stadium to watch the game live. All tickets need to be purchased online in advane. There will be no on the day sales at the stadium.
TO BUY YOUR MATCH TICKET – CLICK 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
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