Match Preview
Torquay United v Boreham Wood
Saturday 19th October 2019, 3.00pm
Plainmoor, The Emirates FA Cup – Fourth Qualifying Round
On Saturday, Boreham Wood make the trip to Plainmoor as we match up against Torquay United in the 4th Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup.
In the Vanarama National league there isn’t much to split the sides, Torquay currently sit in 9th position on 25 points, whilst the Wood sit two positions below in 11th, just a single point behind the Seagulls on 24 points.
Torquay will be looking to bounce back after a poor display on the road to Notts County, where they were on the end of a 2-0 loss, whereas the Wood will be seeking to pick up where they left off after an impressive 2-0 victory against league leaders FC Halifax Town.
THE CONTEXT
Boreham Wood went into their recent fixture against league leaders FC Halifax Town very much the underdog team as the home side had taken 7 points from their previous 3 matches, but against all odds the Wood came out 2-0 winners, playing the opposition and occasion expertly, as they soaked up much of the Shaymen’s pressure and scored twice from set pieces.
The main highlight of the game was a superb free-kick from Adam McDonnell, where his left-footed strike caught the Halifax keeper off guard, wrong footing Sam Johnson and nestling into the bottom left hand corner.
Whereas, Torquay United were on the receiving end of a 2-0 away defeat against an in-form Notts County side. The victory for Notts County saw their unbeaten run extended to five games, a run which started against the Wood where they won 2-1 at Meadow Park.
The last time the sides met in the FA Cup was back in 2002 when the Wood were in the Ryman Premier and Torquay United were in what was then called Division Three of the Football League.
TORQUAY UNITED RECENT FORM
Prior to last Saturdays 2-0 away defeat to Notts County, Torquay had won three games on the bounce, scoring 10 goals during that winning streak.
Despite defeat on Saturday, it has been a positive start to life back in the Vanarama National league having recently been promoted at the first attempt from the National League South after relegation the previous season.
The Gulls currently sit 9th in the Vanarama National League but have scored the joint most goals in the entire division so far, alongside Barrow and Yeovil Town with 29 goals each.
However, in truth the Gulls would likely see themselves sit further up the table and in the playoff positions, but defensively Torquay have struggled at times, with only four teams that have conceded more in the league so far.
TORQUAY’S PLAYER TO WATCH
Jamie Reid, Striker
The Torquay United striker Jamie Reid is the second highest scorer in the Vanarama National League having scored 10 goal so far. This tally includes a thunderbolt goal from outside the box against the Wood on the opening day of the season as the Seagulls defeated Wood 2-1 at Plainmoor.
Last season, Reid was pivotal to Torquay’s promotion success netting 32 times in all competitions, a season that saw him feature in the National League South Team of the Season.
Reid has so far proved himself in this division, stepping back up with Torquay after relegation the season before, and his form so far this season has attracted a high amount of interest for the striker from several League One outfits, such as Doncaster Rovers.
LAST TIME WE MET IN THE FA CUP
Torquay United 5-0 Boreham Wood (Saturday 16th November 2002, FA Cup 1st Round Proper)
It was a tough day on the pitch for the Wood after going down to 10 men in the 29th minute and against far more superior opposition outfit, the victory looked out of our hands. At the time Wood plied their trade in the Ryman Premier Division, whereas Torquay were an established Football League side, as such it was a real David versus Goliath match up.
The tie would finish 5-0 to the Gulls, but in truth it could have been a lot more if it wasn’t for a Man of the Match performance from Wood’s goalkeeper then Noel Imber, who put in an outstanding performance in the Wood goal.
However, the mood on the pitch was not a reflection of the atmosphere off of it as the Wood Army went in their numbers and were vocal for the entire 90 minutes. The Wood family made a real day out of it and it was a great occasion in the Boreham Wood history books.
The fact that the two sides sit just one point a part in the Vanarama National League now, really shows how far the Wood have come since that day nearly 17 years ago and it is a real credit to everyone involved with the club to get us where we are today.
LAST TIME WE MET IN THE LEAGUE
Torquay United 2-1 Boreham Wood (Saturday 3rd August 2019, National League)
It was a poor start to the game for the Wood on the opening day of this season’s Vanarama National League campaign, as Jamal Fyfield saw red in just the 30th minute.
However, the visiting side were very much in the game until a quick double from Opi Edwards and Jamie Reid in the 61st and 63rd minute respectively saw The Gulls go two goals ahead.
However former Torquay man Tyrone Marsh came off the Wood bench to open his account for the season and his new side in the 90th minute where he capitalised on a defensive error, but despite some late pressure from the Wood, including a number of set piece deliveries into the Torquay box, the home side managed to hold on to secure all three points.
IN FOCUS: ADAM McDONNELL
Midfield maestro Adam McDonnell has managed two assists and a goal in his last two appearances for the Wood and is our man ‘in focus’ in this week’s match preview against Torquay United in the Emirates FA Cup.
The 22-year-old Irishman is known to be a dead-ball specialist and all three of his goal involvements recently have been from set-pieces.
McDonnell hasn’t been a regular starter for Luke Garrard at the start of the season but since Captain Mark Ricketts saw red against his former side Woking, it has given the former Ipswich man a chance to prove his worth.
Signing a two-year contract during the Summer from Aldershot Town, McDonnell is demonstrating how crucial he could be in Luke Garrard’s plans going forward as the Wood sit just outside the playoff positions with just over a third of the season played.
MATCH DAY INFORMATION
AWAY DAY TRAVEL CLUB
Prices:
Adults – £35 (Season Ticket holders receive a £5 discount)
Under 16’s – £30 (Season Ticket holder receive a £5 discount)
Departure time: 8am from Boreham Wood FC
Anyone wishing to book should contact Grant Morris on grant.bwfc@outlook.com.
TICKET INFORMATION
Ticket prices are listed below for away supporters:
Adults – £13
Concessions – £11
Under 18 – £7
SEGREGATION
Away supporters will be housed in Block A of Bristows Bench (seating only).
The turnstiles for away fans are situated just off Warbro Road, with a slight walk down a quiet lane. Turnstiles are cash only (see ticket office for card payments).
Please note that the away terrace is closed for some fixtures. Away seating will be available.
Match Preview written By Joe Karadzas (Press Assistant)
