Match Preview
Stockport County v Boreham Wood
Saturday 4th January 2020, 3.00pm
Edgeley Park, National League
This Saturday, Boreham Wood travel to Greater Manchester where we match up against 5th place Stockport County in the Vanarama National League.
Boreham Wood’s New Year’s Day clash against local rivals Barnet finished goalless meaning Wood’s unbeaten run in the league was extended to 10 games.
Whereas, Stockport faced a tough FC Halifax Town side away from home and managed to come away with a point which saw them move to 5th place in the league standings.
THE CONTEXT
On New Year’s Day, Wood failed to continue our run of dominant performances and produced a somewhat lacklustre display which saw us share the points with local rivals Barnet.
With Tyrone Marsh and Sorba Thomas sidelined due to injury and suspension respectively, things went from bad to worse for Luke Garrard, as the ever-consistent David Stephens had to make way at half time due to an ankle injury.
However, despite the below par performance from the home side, we remain unbeaten in league proceedings for a total of 10 matches and look to continue that against in form Stockport County.
In their previous fixture, the Hatters secured a vital point away from home against FC Halifax Town after previously beating them emphatically at home on Boxing Day 5-1.
STOCKPORT COUNTY RECENT FORM
The Hatters currently sit 5th place in the National league and are three games without a loss. However, they have played one more game than the Wood and sit just three points ahead with a worse goal difference, so a victory for Wood on Saturday will see them leapfrog Stockport in the league standings.
The home side have lost just twice in 11 games in all competitions and have scored an emphatic 26 goals in this spell of good form.
Despite their impressive goal scoring form, they have conceded the same amount of goals as they have scored over the entire season to date (43) meaning they have the joint worse defensive record out of all the teams in the top 15 of the National League.
All indicators suggest we are in for an open and attacking match between two of the most in form teams in the division at present.
STOCKPORT COUNTY PLAYER TO WATCH
Elliot Osborne
Elliot Osbourne has scored an impressive nine goals in the league from Midfield so far this season and is Stockport’s player to watch in this Saturday’s match day preview.
Osbourne signed a permanent deal in November 2018 after impressing on his second loan spell at Edgeley Park and helped his side secure promotion as Champions of the National League North to the National League.
Featuring in all 28 games this season, the 23-year-old had proved pivotal and is the leading goal scorer for his side.
After scoring an impressive hattrick on Boxing Day against FC Halifax Town, the Wood midfield and back line will need to be aware of the threat that Osbourne possesses.
LAST TIME WE MET
Boreham Wood 4-0 Stockport County, National League, 21st September 2019
Kabongo Tshimanga opened the scoring in the 20th minute and the home sides lead was soon doubled in the 27th minute when Sorba Thomas’ effort from outside the box found the bottom right corner.
Wood went into the break three goals to the good when Tshimanga secured his brace leaving Stockport with a tough mountain to climb if they wanted to come away from Meadow Park with a result.
Tyrone Marsh added salt to the wounds when he scored in the 89th minute for the Wood meaning we saw our unbeaten run extended to three games.
IN FOCUS: KANE SMITH
Kane Smith has been arguably one of Wood’s most reliable players since returning from injury and is our player in focus for this Saturday’s match day preview.
Smith made 120 appearances over a two-season spell at Hitchin Town and scored an impressive 11 goals and provided 30 assists earning himself a trial with Premier League club Crystal Palace. His performances and spell with the Canaries was recognised by their fans recently, voting him into the Hitchin Town Team of the Decade last week.
Kane was instrumental in Woods promotion charge in 2017/18 but unfortunately suffered a knee injury in the play-off quarter final against AFC Fylde which meant he would miss the entirety of the 2018/19 season.
MATCH DAY INFORMATION
Ticket Information
Away fans travelling to Edgeley Park can buy their tickets either at the Stadium on match day or online. To pre-purchase your tickets for Saturday’s fixture, click here.
Ticket Prices: –
Adult (18+) – £18.00
Concessions (Over 65’s & Students) – £12.00
Juniors (6-17) – £5.00
0-5 Years – FREE
Away Day Travel Club
The official away day travel club is in operation for our visit to Stockport County this Saturday.
At present we have just 4 spaces remaining, with the details as follows: –
Depart from Boreham Wood FC at 9.15am.
Prices are £30 for Adults and £20 for Under 16’s (£5 discount applicable to season ticket holders.)
Please: The Chairman has again generously offered to lay on a free breakfast for all those Wood fans travelling via the away day travel club.
Anyone wishing to book, please contact Grant Morris on 07703 658 554 or grant.bwfc@outlook.com.
Match Preview written by Joe Karadzas (Press Assistant)
