Boreham Wood v Yeovil Town
Tuesday 16th February 2021, 7.45pm
Meadow Park, Vanarama National League
THE CONTEXT
Tomorrow night, Wood host 17th place Yeovil Town in the Vanarama National League at Meadow Park.
The Glovers last fixture came on Saturday against Altrincham and they comfortably won 2-0 at Huish Park.
Whereas Wood faced National League highflyers Sutton on Saturday and unfortunately left with no point after being defeated 2-0 at Gander Green Lane.
THE FORM GUIDE
THE WOOD
Previous six games (in all competitions): –
Sutton United (A) | VNL | 2-0 L
Maidenhead United (A) | VNL | 0 -1 W
Weymouth (H) | VNL | 1-0 W
Eastleigh (H) | VNL | 1-2 L
Chesterfield (H) | VNL | 0-0 D
Stockport County (A) | VNL | 1-1 D
Wood travelled to Gander Green Lane on Saturday and unfortunately came away with no points after 2 home goals from Louis John and Will Randall.
There wasn’t too much to note from the first half an hour of the game with both back lines defending well and nullifying any threat the opposing side offered.
However, the deadlock was broken in the 32nd minute when Louis John found himself on the end of a Rob Milsom corner and finished well past Nathan Ashmore.
Just four minutes after the break, the U’s doubled their lead via Will Randall after he picked the ball up in his own half and drove well at the Wood defence and unleashed a strike from the edge of the penalty area, leaving Ashmore no chance of saving.
Matt Rhead was then introduced by Gaffer Luke Garrard moments after the goal and the experienced target man had an effort saved well by Dean Bouzanis just minutes after entering the field of play. Wood then had a flurry of chances through Kabongo Tshimanga and Tyrone Marsh, but the hosts held on well to ensure the victory.
This defeat meant that Wood slipped down to 9th place in the league standings but have an opportunity to jump back into a place-off place with games in hand over high opposition.
THE GLOVERS
Previous six games (in all competitions): –
Altrincham (H) | VNL | 2-0 W
Eastleigh (A) | VNL | 1-0 L
Stockport (A) | VNL | 1-0 L
Dover Athletic (H) | VNL | 3-1 W
Maidenhead United (A) | VNL | 4-2 L
Weymouth (A) | VNL | 0-3 W
The Glovers come into this fixture on the back of an impressive 2-0 home win against 6th place Altrincham on Saturday.
Darren Sarll’s side have picked up some good form since the turn of the new year having won five out of their previous eight fixtures.
The visitors for Saturday’s game have struggled defensively this season having conceded 31 goals, only five sides have conceded more in the entire division.
However, their goal scoring form suggests they should not be sitting right down the bottom of the league in 17th place, as they have scored 27 goals in the National League so far this season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
“THE DESTROYER”
LUKE WILKINSON
Former Wood defender Luke Wilkinson came through the youth ranks at Bristol City before signing his first professional contract with Portsmouth in 2009.
Lack of game time with Pompey saw Wilkinson go out on loan to Northampton and Eastleigh, then signing a permanent move with League One outfit Dagenham & Redbridge in 2010.
During his time with the Daggers, Wilkinson joined the Wood on loan in the 2010/11 and 2011/12 seasons where he made over 50 appearances.
Wilkinson spent four seasons with the Daggers where he made over 60 appearances before signing for Luton Town in 2014.
The central defender spent two seasons with the Hatters before signing for League Two side Stevenage.
Despite making over 100 appearances for the Boro, Wilkinson was released at the end of the 2018/19 campaign which saw him put pen to paper on a two-year deal with current club Yeovil Town.
“THE PLAYMAKER”
ALBI SKENDI
27 year old Albi Skendi joined the Glovers on his first professional contract in 2019, from Stratford Town after helping Stratford to their highest ever league finish in the club’s history.
The versatile player is able to plat at his best across midfield, defence and up front.
With previous spells at Oxford City and Banbury United as well as stints in America with Los Angeles Wolfs and Marymount California University, the 6’4″ utility man is now in his second season at Yeovil. Skendi was just named the National League player of the month for February due to a strong start in 2021, specifically scoring three goals in four games.
“THE FINISHER”
RHYS MURPHY
Murphy came through the youth ranks with Wimbledon before making the switch to Arsenal where he signed his first professional contract in 2008.
During his time with the Gunners, Murphy went on loan to Brentford and Preston North End before signing a permanent deal with Dutch side Telstar.
After scoring several important goals for the Dutch side, there was a lot of attraction from Football League Clubs but he opted for League One outfit Oldham Athletic.
Soon after signing with Oldham, Murphy went on loan to Crawley Town where he scored nine goals in 15 league appearances.
The centre forward spent time at York City, Torquay, and Gillingham before signing for Chelmsford City at the start of the 2018 campaign.
Murphy bagged an impressive 28 league goals for the Clarets in the 2018/19 campaign which helped his side reach the National League South play-offs.
Since signing for the Glovers in June 2019, Murphy has scored 19 goals in 49 appearances.
LAST TIME WE MET
Boreham Wood 1-0 Yeovil Town
Saturday 22nd February 2020
Meadow Park, Vanarama National League
Kabongo Tshimanga scored his 17th goal of the season in the 73rd minute when he found himself on the end of a Tom Champion ball over the top.
The victory for the Wood saw our unbeaten run extended to 15 games which also saw us climb the table to Third.
Nathan Ashmore made some superb saves late on to keep the goal deficit in Wood’s favour and ensure the three points.
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 our BWFCtv Match Pass for just £9.99. You will receive the live stream, match commentary and a complimentary e-programme.
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)
