Boreham Wood v Stockport County
Saturday 24th April 2021, 3.00pm
Meadow Park, Vanarama National League
THE CONTEXT
Wood are back at Meadow Park as they face promotion candidates, Stockport County, in the Vanarama National League tomorrow afternoon.
The Hatter’s last fixture was nearly a week ago when they faced Maidenhead United at home which resulted in a 2-2 draw.
Boreham Wood, however, had their last fixture on Tuesday vs. local rivals Barnet which ended in a goalless draw at Meadow Park.
THE FORM GUIDE
THE WOOD
Previous six games (in all competitions): –
Barnet (H) | VNL | 0-0 D
Yeovil Town (A) | VNL | 1-0 L
Chesterfield (A) | VNL | 0-0 D
Wealdstone (H) | VNL | 3-1 W
Hartlepool United (H) | VNL | 2-2 D
Sutton United (H) | VNL | 0-0 D
Wood faced local rivals Barnet FC on Tuesday evening and came away with a point after a goalless draw at Meadow Park.
Although it was the home side that took control, the game remained goalless although Wood went close on multiple occasions.
Wood forced twelve corners throughout the game and had chances to take the lead but Barnet, to their credit, held firm and were defensively sound. With Corey Whitely, Matt Rhead and Tyrone Marsh on the attack, it was Azaze in the Bee’s goal who denied Wood the three points.
THE HATTERS
Previous six games (in all competitions): –
Maidenhead United (H) | VNL | 2-2 D
King’s Lynn Town (H) | VNL | 4-0 W
Wrexham (A) | VNL | 0-3 W
Bromley (H) | VNL | 0-0 D
Aldershot Town (A) | VNL | 1-2 W
Hartlepool United (H) VNL | 1-1 D
The Hatter’s currently sit in 4th place but with two games in hand to League leaders Hartlepool United, two wins would see them close the gap and only trail by two points.
Stockport currently have two players in the top five of the Vanarama National League’s top goal scorers with Reid in third position scoring 14 and Rooney in fourth position scoring 13.
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 league’s 3rd top scorer with 14 goals so far this season.
LAST TIME WE MET
Stockport County 1-1 Boreham Wood
Saturday 23rd January 2021
Edgeley Park, Vanarama National League
After a lively opening, Stockport’s John Rooney gave the home side the lead from a trademark freekick after just six minutes of play, from then on it was pretty much all Boreham Wood for the remainder of the first half.
Wood produced some impressive interplay and with an excellent pass from Keiran Murtagh to Francis-Angol, his cross only required a tap in from Kabs Tshimanga but somehow County keeper Ben Hinchcliffe managed to keep it out.
Alex Reid then rattled Nathan Ashmore’s post just before the interval, meaning Stockport took the lead of 1-0 going into the break. But after fifty-nine minutes Boreham Wood finally got their deserved equaliser when the excellent Tshimanga got the goal that his team’s performance warranted when he beat Hinchcliffe at the near post.
There was plenty of good attacking play and Boreham Wood had enough chances to have won the match, however, it was a good point on the road against an impressive team.
STAY HOME, STAY SAFE
LIVE STREAM
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LIVE UPDATES
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Twitter: @boreham_woodfc
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