Maidenhead United v Boreham Wood
Saturday 5th February 2021, 3.00pm
York Road, Vanarama National League
THE CONTEXT
Boreham Wood are back on the road as they travel to York Road on Saturday where we match up against Maidenhead United in the Vanarama National League.
The Magpies’ last game came on Saturday when they faced FC Halifax Town away from home and impressively won 3-2 thanks to an 86th minute winner from Josh Coley.
Wood hosted Weymouth at Meadow Park on Tuesday and Kabongo Tshimanga’s goal was enough to ensure a 1-0 victory.
THE FORM GUIDE
THE WOOD
Previous six games (in all competitions): –
Weymouth (H) | VNL | 1-0 W
Eastleigh (H) | VNL | 1-2 L
Chesterfield (H) | VNL | 0-0 D
Stockport (A) | VNL | 1-1 D
Torquay (H) | FAT | 0-4 L
Dover (A) | VNL | 1-1 D
Kabongo Tshimanga was on form during our 1-0 victory on Saturday against National League newcomers Weymouth at Meadow Park.
It was the visitors who started the game on the front foot, with multiple goal scoring chances in the opening 10 minutes falling to Josh McQuoid.
Wood started to create some chances of their own towards the later stages of the first half through Corey Whitley and Tshimanga but Ethan Ross saved well in the Terras net.
A quiet spell came in the opening stages of the second half, but the introduction of Matt Rhead after 66 minutes sparked a new lease of life for the hosts.
In the 72nd minute of the match, Keiran Murtagh, with an excellent pass, found Tshimanga who did well to hold off the two defenders and find the back of the net.
Wood had several chances to extend the lead in the second half, but the Terras defence stayed strong and the game finished 1-0.
This victory meant that Wood have lost just once out of our previous nine games in the National League.
THE MAGPIES
Previous six games (in all competitions): –
FC Halifax Town (A) |VNL | 2-3 W
Yeovil Town (H) | VNL | 4-2 W
Woking (A) | VNL | 0-0 D
Wealdstone (H) | VNL | 4-0 W
Weymouth (A) | VNL | 3-2 L
Torquay United (H) | VNL | 2-1 L
The Magpies currently sit 7th place in the league standings and come into this fixture off the back of two successive victories against FC Halifax Town and Yeovil Town.
Maidenhead have been impressive in front of goal this season, and only five sides have out scored the Magpies’ 28 goals in the league so far.
Magpies winger Sam Barratt is the league’s joint second top scorer with nine goals in 16 league games.
Alan Devonshire’s side come into this fixture as one of the most in-form sides in the league with three wins and a draw in their last four games.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
“THE DESTROYER”
ALAN MASEY
Alan Masey started his senior career with Wealdstone, before joining Braintree Town on loan in October 2012.
The deal was made permanent at the end of the 2012/13 campaign and he went on to make over 100 appearances at Cressing Road.
Masey then signed for Maidenhead in 2015 and was named club captain soon after joining.
The commanding centre back has been a mainstay in the Magpies side since signing on at York Road and has made over 200 appearances as he heads into his sixth season at the club.
“THE PLAYMAKER”
SAM BARRATT
Sam Barratt began his youth career at Woodley Town before joining Bracknell Town in 2011 at just 15-years-old.
Barratt became the youngest ever player for the Robins when made his debut and impressively scored at just 16 years of age.
In 2014, Barratt signed for Maidenhead United and during his four seasons at the club, he featured 97 times and was a key part to the team that won the National League South in 2016/17.
Barratt signed his first professional contract with Southend United in 2018 but suffered a knee injury which halted his first team opportunities.
As Barratt returned from injury, he struggled to get back into the first team and re-joined the Magpies at the start of this season.
Impressively, Barratt is the joint second top scorer in the National League with nine goals in 16 league games.
“THE FINISHER”
DANILO ORSI
Danilo Orsi spent his youth career in the US before moving to England where he signed for East Thurrock United.
In 2018, Orsi signed for Hungerford Town in the National League South and was his sides top scorer which helped them survive relegation.
Orsi then signed for Hampton & Richmond at the start of last season and went on to score an impressive 14 goals in 34 league appearances.
This goal scoring record attracted a lot of attention from several National League clubs, but it was Maidenhead who won the signature of the young Forward.
Orsi has scored seven goals in 15 appearances this season, including a brace in Saturday’s 3-2 away win against Halifax Town.
LAST TIME WE MET
Maidenhead United 0-1 Boreham Wood
Saturday 7th March 2020
York Road, Vanarama National League
In the 22nd minute, Tyrone Marsh got down the line well and put an excellent ball into the path of top scorer Tshimanga who slotted home his 18th league goal of the season to make the score 1-0.
Marsh nearly doubled Wood’s lead in the 60th minute but his fierce effort was denied by Taye Ashby-Hammond.
Nathan Ashmore was then called into action in the later stages of the game and saved Josh Kelly and Odysseus’ efforts well.
Ashmore was then consequently sent off for a second yellow card in the dying embers of the match.
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 live by purchasing the live stream provided by Maidenhead United for £10–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)
