AFC Fylde 2-2 Boreham Wood
Mill Farm Stadium
26th September 7.45pm, Vanarama National League
Despite dominating the second half, Boreham Wood had to settle for a draw in a very entertaining game in Lancashire when they fell behind in the first half to a Danny Whitehead goal, before two Angelo Balanta goals put Wood 2-1 in front. Unfortunately Owen Evans, equalised late on for the hosts.
Luke Garrard made two changes from the starting line-up following Saturday’s defeat against Aldershot Town with Erico Sousa and Angelo Balanta coming in for David Stephen and Regan Griffith.
The hosts had the better of the first half at Mill Farm. They controlled early possession and on eight minutes Connor Barrett stole the ball from Femi Ilesamni on the halfway line before advancing on goal and shooting wide. On fourteen minutes, Danny Whitehead crossed the ball for Gold Omatayo who glanced his header wide. Four minutes later, the Coasters took the lead when former Salford City midfielder Whitehead tried his luck from distance and his shot deceived Nathan Ashmore to finish in the back of the net. It was no more than the hosts deserved. On twenty-four minutes, Boreham Wood got an unexpected equaliser. Tyrone Marsh played the ball to Angelo Balanta who struck a fantastic shot on the turn to give Theo Richardson no chance in the Fylde goal. Boreham Wood supporters celebrated the first goal the team has scored in the first half all season with an impromptu conga!!
On twenty-eight minutes, Fylde’s Barrett forced a good save from Ashmore, with a shot from distance. Three minutes later, a purposeful run from Lee Ndlovu nearly lead to a goal but he dragged his shot just wide. On thirty-five minutes Omatayo’s shot went just wide for the hosts. Five minutes later, Whitehead’s curling freekick was tipped over the bar by Ashmore. On the stroke of half time Omatayo shot just wide for the hosts following a lovely move involving Barrett and Whitehead.
HALF TIME: AFC FYLDE 1-1 BOREHAM WOOD
The hosts came out for the second half with the same attacking intent. Whitehead fired over from distance, two minutes after the restart. Two minutes later, the Coasters, “shot on sight” policy was evident again when Jonathan Ustabasi’s effort from distance went well wide. At this point, Boreham Wood managed to get a foothold in the game and dominate proceedings. On fifty-one minutes, Tom Whelan’s corner was cleared into the path of Cameron Coxe, whose subsequent miss hit cross almost found the corner of Richardson’s goal. Wood should have taken the lead on fifty-seven minutes when following some excellent play involving Tyrone Marsh and Ndlovu, Taelor Okane made a heroic last ditched tackle to deny Ndlovu, just when it looked like he would roll the ball into the net. Four minutes later, Erico Sousa cut in from the left and hit the Fylde post. On sixty-five minutes, Sousa cut in again from the left, but this time played the ball to Whelan who shot well wide when well placed.
On Sixty-nine minutes, Fylde’s Nick Haughton forced a save from Ashmore. Two minutes later, Boreham Wood took a well-deserved lead when an excellent run and cross from Ilesamni was expertly put away by Balanta for his second goal of the match. The hosts then went on the offensive and within a couple of minutes both. Josh Kay and Naughton shot just wide. On eighty-two minutes a brilliantly struck Whelan freekick crashed off the Fylde crossbar. Kay went close again on eighty-six minutes for the Coasters, but his effort was just too high. On eighty-eight minutes the hosts equalised when Owen Evans finished well from close range. During five minutes of stoppage time, the hosts pushed for a winner but the game ended with both sides sharing the points.
In truth Boreham Wood were second best in the first half but fought back well in the second period and just as they looked in charge, Fylde got their equaliser.
FULL TIME: AFC FYLDE 2-2 BOREHAM WOOD
Man of the match: Angelo Balanta
Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Coxe, Ilesamni, Bush, Sass-Davies, Payne, Whelan, Sousa (Stephens 90), Marsh, Balanta, Ndlovu,
Subs not used: Abraham, Abayomi, Owens, Griffiths,
AFC Fylde: Richardson, Graham, Obi, Gordon, Whitehead, Ustabasi, (Ligendza 77) Omatayo, Evans, Okane, Barrett (Haughton 63), Charman (Kay 60)
Subs not used: Conlan, Philliskirk,
By Brett Lewis
OUR CLUB. OUR TOWN. OUR COMMUNITY.
