The Wood are back at home this Saturday, December 8 (12.35pm), when we welcome league leaders Leyton Orient to Meadow Park, in the Vanarama National League. Here’s our preview…
Match Details
Boreham Wood have re-arranged the segregation areas, to make a further 100 seats available to travelling O’s supporters.
Tickets are available to purchase on the day of the game, but at an increased rate of £2 (£3 for U12s).
For home supporters, cash payments will be available on the East Stand turnstile, and card payments in the Gallery Suite bar. Away supporters will also be able to purchase tickets on the away gate in the West Stand, with cash.
The match will be segregated, and the nearest public car park is stationed in Brook Road and adjacent to stadium.
Team News
Luke Garrard has no fresh injury concerns to deal with.
The Wood came away unscathed against St Margaretsbury on Monday, and have suffered no setbacks in training.
Form Guide
The Wood will be looking for a league reaction on Saturday, having lost at home to Dover Athletic last time out.
An emphatic 5-1 win over St Margaretsbury in the Herts Senior Cup on Monday will have added confidence to the group, albeit against a side lower down the footballing pyramid.
There were first competitive goals for Connor Smith, Bradley Ash and Sorba Thomas in the game, with all three pushing for a start against Orient.
Goals from Gozie Ugwu and Tom Champion followed in the win, as Garrard’s side secured progression in the next round.
The Wood’s home form has been good so far this season, with only two losses, against Harrogate Town and Dover Athletic.
Having been one of the changes for the game against St Margaretsbury, David Stephens will be looking to return to the back three, while Ryan Huddart will be expecting to come back in, between the sticks.
The Wood currently sit 11th in the National League table, on 28-points, having played a game less than some of their rivals.
Managed by 48-year-old Justin Edinburgh, Leyton Orient currently sit top of the pile in the National League, on 50 points.
With 14 wins, eight draws and just one loss so far this campaign, they will come to Meadow Park, full of confidence.
A draw at home to Aldershot Town last Tuesday, was followed up with a 2-0 win at home to Gateshead, last weekend.
One to Watch – Macauley Bonne
Arguably the best forward in the National League, Macauley Bonne combines hard-work with an electric burst of pace and a frightening accuracy in-front of goal.
Currently sitting second in the division’s goal-scoring charts, just one goal behind Salford’s Adam Rooney, Bonne will be keen to keep up his record this campaign.
The forward began his career at Colchester United and enjoyed loan spells at Lincoln City and Woking, before joining the O’s in July 2017.
The Wood defence will need to be on top of their game against Orient, in order to keep Bonne quiet.
From the Dugout – Luke Garrard
“I think that we are coming up against one of the best teams at the level, when you look at what them and Salford are currently doing, sitting top of the pile.
“What Justin Edinburgh has done in a year with them, has been fantastic, and they have got an unbelievable squad, whichever permutation he plays.
“I just think that they are ever so good in terms of what they do. They don’t really play out from the back, they make great decisions, and they have got people in there with unbelievable experience.
“They have got the young kid Josh Koroma, who everyone is courting at the minute. And, you look at Macauley Bonne, who has been spoken about in terms of Championship sides.
“It is a task that I am relishing though, and I know that the group definitely are. For us as an underdog, we can’t wait for them to come here on Saturday.
“We have got Tom Champ, Mark Ricketts, David Stephens, Keiran Murtagh, all have played at a very good level.
“I think that it will make for a cracking game. It is 11v11 on Saturday, it is front of the cameras and hopefully we put on a performance where everyone thinks that we aren’t a bad side.”
