Boreham Wood v Stockport United
Saturday 23rd January 2021, 3.00pm
Edgeley Park, Vanarama National League
THE CONTEXT
On Saturday, Wood make the trip to Manchester where we match up against Stockport County in the Vanarama National League at Edgeley Park.
The Hatters come into this fixture on the back of a comfortable 2-0 away victory against league strugglers Dagenham & Redbridge.
However, Wood were knocked out of the Buildbase FA Trophy in our recent fixture, after Torquay United came to town and emphatically beat us 4-0 at Meadow Park.
THE FORM GUIDE
THE WOOD
Previous six games (in all competitions): –
Torquay (H) | FAT | 0-4 L
Dover (A) | VNL | 1-1 D
Millwall (H) | FAC | 0-2 L
Barnet (A) | VNL | 0-3 W
Aldershot Town (H) | VNL | 3-2 W
Notts County (A) | VNL | 0-1 W
Unfortunately, Wood’s chances of a trip to Wembley vanished after we were on the wrong end of a 4-0 onslaught against top of the table Torquay United in the 4th Round of the Buildbase FA Trophy on Saturday.
It was a tale of two halves at Meadow Park on Saturday with the score still level going into the break, but an Asa Hall wonder strike in the 51st minute was just the beginning.
From there on in, Wood failed to create any notable chances and the pressure from the Gulls paid dividends when three goals in quick succession came in the final 10 minutes of the tie.
Some great positives from the match were the return of club captain Mark Ricketts who has been missing since early November, and also the return of Zaine Francis-Angol in the second half.
Despite a slight dip in form from Wood in the cup competitions, we still sit the most in form side in league proceedings over the last five games and remain the only unbeaten side across this period.
THE HATTERS
Previous six games (in all competitions): –
Dagenham & Redbridge (A) |VNL | 0-2 W
Notts County (H) | FAT | 1-2 L
West Ham (H) | FAC | 0-1 L
Altrincham (H) | VNL | 2-2 D
Wrexham (H) |VNL | 2-0 W
Altrincham (A) | VNL | 1-1 D
The Hatters currently sit 4th place in the Vanarama National League and are four games unbeaten in their last four league games.
Much like Wood, the hosts for Saturday’s game were knocked out of both the FA Trophy and the FA Cup in a matter of weeks with defeats to West Ham and Notts County.
A fortnight ago, Premier League side West Ham came to Edgeley Park and impressively for the hosts, it took until the 83rdminute for the deadlock to be broken via a Craig Dawson header.
The Hatters have been particularly impressive on defensive duties this season and only two sides have conceded less goals (16) than them in the league.
The news was released that Stockport have parted ways with Jim Gannon on Thursday and assistant manager Dave Conlon will take interim responsibility for Saturdays match.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
“THE DESTROYER”
SAM MINIHAN
Minihan started his senior career with Rochdale in League One and made his professional debut in 2012.
The right back then took an alternative route of heading to Loughborough University, a well-respected side who plays in the Midland Football League.
After graduating from University, Minihan signed for National League North side Worcester City, and made 34 appearances in his debut season whilst picking up Players Player and Young Player of the season awards.
After impressing at Worchester, Minihan signed a deal with Stockport in 2016 and has gone on to feature over 120 times since.
In the 2018/19 season, the attacking right back made 46 League appearances which helped the Hatters win the National League North.
“THE PLAYMAKER”
JOHN ROONEY
Rooney came through the youth system at Everton but was released , which saw Rooney sign for Macclesfield Town in 2008, where he spent two seasons featuring 41 times.
The attacking Midfielder then moved to the US where he played for New York Red Bulls and then Orlando City.
A return to England came in 2012 when he signed for Barnsley followed by a move to Bury and then onto Chester City where he made over 100 appearances.
Rooney enjoyed an immaculate 2019/20 campaign with National League champions Barrow where he scored 20 goals, picking up National League Player of the year award along the way.
“THE FINISHER”
ALEX REID
Reid began his career at Aston Villa in their academy before he joined the league Football Education’s Player Placement Programme in Sweden in 2014.
The forward then moved back to England in 2016 and signed for Fleetwood Town, but soon after went on loan to Wrexham, Solihull Moors and Stevenage.
After impressing on loan with the Boro, Reid signed a permanent deal in 2018 and went on to make 11 first team appearances.
Reid spent the 2019/20 campaign on loan with National League clubs Dagenham & Redbridge and Ebbsfleet United, scoring 11 goals in 23 appearances which then caught the eye of the Hatters.
He has been clinical in front of goal so far this season and is the leagues 5th top scorer with seven goals in 15 games.
LAST TIME WE MET
Stockport County 1-3 Boreham Wood
Saturday 4th January 2020
Edgeley Park, Vanarama National League
Tyrone Marsh found the bottom corner of the Stockport net after just two minutes played in the play-off place clash.
Despite some early pressure from the Hatters, Marsh doubled the lead in the 22nd minute with a long range strike looping over the Stockport keeper into the back of the net.
Kanbongo Tshimanga scored his 16th goal of the season just before half-time, meaning we would go in three goals to the good at the break.
The Hatters started the second half the brighter and were rewarded for their efforts in the 52nd minute when Devante Rodney finished well from a tight angle.
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 Stockport County Live Stream Pass for £7.50.– 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)
