Boreham Wood v Yeovil Town
Saturday 25th September 2021, 3.00pm
LV Bet Stadium Meadow Park, Vanarama National League
Match Preview written by Aaron Bennis (BWFC Media Assistant)
THE CONTEXT
This Saturday, Wood look to bounce back from their first defeat of the season as they host Yeovil Town.
The Glovers have started the season fairly strongly, sitting ninth with three wins and two defeats from their opening five games.
Wood have moved down to fifth owing to their defeat to Solihull Moors last time out, but remain just three points off top spot.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
“THE DESTROYER”
LUKE WILKINSON
The first signing of the Darren Sarll era, defender Luke Wilkinson arrived at Huish Park on a free transfer to link up with his former Stevenage boss in 2019. After coming through the ranks at Bristol City, he was released when he was 17 and subsequently offered a trial by Portsmouth, who signed him on a professional deal in the summer of 2009 after he impressed in a reserve game against Fulham, going on to help the reserves remain unbeaten until the end of the season with him at the heart of the defence. A one-month loan deal was agreed for Wilkinson to join Northampton Town but he failed to make an appearance and instead joined Conference side Eastleigh, with the deal eventually being extended until the end of the season.
After being released by Portsmouth, he signed for newly promoted League One outfit Dagenham & Redbridge, once again being loaned out to gain experience a few months later. This time he would arrive at Boreham Wood on an initial one-month loan before being extended by a further month and later until the end of the season. He finished the campaign with 28 appearances to his name, with his form convincing the club to re-sign him for the following season on a five-month loan. He was a mainstay in the team with 25 appearances and returned to the Daggers at the end of January, joining another Conference side in Dartford a month later. This loan move would prove even more successful as he claimed his first piece of silverware by helping Dartford win promotion to the Conference Premier via the play-offs. His form in the non-league would convince his parent club to finally give him an opportunity with the first team upon his return, and he would reward this faith by playing 46 times and winning the Player of the Season award.
A move to Luton Town in 2014 allowed him to link up with former Daggers boss John Still, where he remained until January 2016 when he signed for Stevenage. This coincided with Darren Sarll’s promotion to caretaker manager and then first team manager at the Boro, and he would sign the defender for Yeovil Town after his arrival at Huish Park in 2019, going on to make 53 appearances thus far.
“THE PLAYMAKER”
SONNY BLU LO-EVERTON
19-year old midfielder Sonny Blu Lo-Everton is enjoying just his second taste of regular first team football having joined the Glovers on loan until January. The Scotland youth international joined Watford as an under-9 and has risen through the ranks, committing his future with the Hornets in 2020 before going on a short-term loan to Wealdstone last season; ten appearances for the Stones brought two goals and some much needed experience. Lo-Everton returned to Vicarage Road ahead of the current campaign and featured heavily in pre-season with the first team under Xisco Munoz, appearing against the likes of Arsenal, Brentford, West Brom and Stevenage. Capable of playing as a winger on either flank or as a #10, Lo-Everton is a creative but unselfish attacking midfielder who has won many plaudits during his time in Hertfordshire, impressing in the academy and is regarded as one of the hottest prospects to come out of it in recent years. An FA Youth Cup match against Birmingham City brought a standout performance from the youngster, who stole the show in front of a wide range of scouts and representatives from many clubs, including Ajax, who were there to watch current England international Jude Bellingham on the opposing team.
Lo-Everton first came across current Yeovil manager Darren Sarll when he was 15 with Sarll briefly joining the club’s academy setup. Sharing a pitch with players up to eight years his senior was a testament to his ability as well as his attitude at a young age, and Sarll was keen to encourage his attacking talents. This would be seen again a few years later, when Sarll signed Lo-Everton on a loan deal to Huish Park, and he has started all but one National League game so far this season.
“THE FINISHER”
JOE QUIGLEY
A graduate of the AFC Bournemouth academy, striker Joe Quigley enjoyed a successful loan spell at local side Poole Town initially for a month before being extended, and his form won him the club’s Player of the Season award. After his return to Bournemouth, he branched out to other parts of England and even Wales with Torquay United, Wrexham, Woking, Gillingham, Newport County and Boreham Wood, the latter of which he helped reach the play-off final with a number of substitute appearances during the run-in as well as the subsequently play-offs.
After being released by Bournemouth, he had stints at Maidstone United and Bromley as well as loan spells with Eastbourne Borough and Havant & Waterlooville, eventually leaving Bromley for Dagenham & Redbridge and spending time on loan at Billericay Town. He joined Yeovil in the summer of 2020 and put away 12 goals in his debut season, making him the second highest scorer before starting the current one like a house on fire, netting five goals in five games.
LAST TIME WE MET
Yeovil Town 1-0 Boreham Wood
Saturday 17th April 2021
Huish Park, National League
It was a first defeat in eleven for the Wood as they were deservedly beaten by Yeovil Town, thanks to a sole strike by Tom Knowles.
The home side controlled much of the early stages with a lot of the ball being in the Glovers’ favour, nearly taking advantage after just 15 minutes with Ruben Reid going close to meeting an excellent cross by Albi Skendi that was well cleared by Tom Champion. This began a period of dominance from the hosts who had a number of chances to take the lead. Tom Knowles had the first of these opportunities, leading a counter attack with pace following a Wood corner but Nathan Ashmore was on hand to clear the danger. Ashmore proved to be the hero again shortly after when he denied Femi Ilesamni from putting it in his own net, but was unable to prevent Yeovil’s dominance from eventually paying off when Knowles finished off an excellent team move to open the scoring.
A brilliant run from Matt Worthington saw him play a pass infield for Skendi to run on to, who found Knowles to strike a first time shot past Ashmore midway through the first half. This lead was nearly doubled by the same player, but his effort two minutes later went just wide. Wood were keen to prove they weren’t out of the contest, creating their best chance of the half with Gus Mafuta being denied by Glovers’ keeper Jimmy Smith after a good run. Luke Garrard’s men grew into it during the second period with extended spells of possession, however chances remained at a premium.
Tyrone Marsh should have produced an equaliser but could only find the crossbar with his header, before another attempt by Knowles meant Ashmore needed to be alert once again. Late chances for Matt Rhead and Corey Whitley saw Wood continue to go close, but the Glovers were able to hold out for a well-fought three points.
PRE MATCH WORDS
HOW TO WATCH
MATCH TICKETS
All spectators are encouraged to pre-purchase their match tickets to avoid queuing and congestion upon entry into the ground. Tickets are also available to be purchased on the day via cash and debit/credit card.
Home supporters purchasing match tickets on the day should go to the club’s ticket office located in the main club car park, whereas visiting supporters can purchase match tickets on the day from their designated turnstiles.
Home Tickets (General Sale) – Click Here.
Home Tickets (Black Card Members) – Click Here.
Away Tickets (General Sale) – Click Here.
LIVE UPDATES
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
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