MATCH REPORT: ALTRINCHAM (A)

Altrincham 1-1 Boreham Wood
J Davidson Stadium
19th August 3.00pm, Vanarama National League

It was honours even at Altrincham for a Boreham Wood side who were once again, better in the second half than the first. They were behind at half time, thanks to a goal from Regan Linney, before a second half equaliser from Lee Ndlovu, ensured a point a piece for both sides. Luke Garrard named an unchanged line up from Wednesday defeat against Solihull Moors. He was going to hand a first start to Liam O’Neil but he got injured in the warm up, meaning Charlie Owens kept his place in the starting line-up. Liam Miller was then added to the bench for the first time in a Vanarama National League fixture.

Boreham Wood started the game very well and on four minutes, a lovely flowing move between Mo Sagaf, Charlie Owens and Tom Whelan ended up with Kwesi Appiah seemingly falling over his own feet as he was about to shoot. On sixteen minutes a thirty-yard piledrive from Chris Bush was well saved by Ethan Ross in the Robins goal. The hosts then dominated for the rest of the and has soon had three opportunities to score. On twenty-two minutes, an excellent one two between Justin Amaluzor and James Jones ended with Nathan Ashmore saving well from Jones. A minute later Chris Conn-Clarke was off target when well placed. Almost straight away, Ashmore made another save, this time from Regan Linney.

On thirty-one minutes, Altrincham took the lead when an uncharacteristic error from David Agbontohoma let in Linney, who finished well past Ashmore in the Wood goal. Six minutes later the hosts should have added a second when Elliot Osborne’s excellent through ball picked out Chris Conn-Clarke who was one on one with Ashmore, but Jamal Fyfield somehow got back to make a tackle. Just before half time Boreham Wood were hit with injuries to both Owens and Sagaf with Cameron Coxe and Tyrone Marsh coming on to replace them. Chris Bush then shot wide from distance when well placed.

HALF TIME: ALTRINCHAM 1-0 BOREHAM WOOD

Boreham Wood were better after the break and played on the front foot more. On forty-nine minutes. Lee Ndlovu played the ball back to Kwesi Appiah who’s well struck shot went just over the crossbar. Just after the hour mark, Wood equalised through Ndlovu who owed his goal to the work of Femi Ilesamni. Ilesamni went on an excellent run from his own half when he went past James Jones as if he wasn’t there before delivering an inch perfect cross and all Ndlovu had to do was guild it in.

It looked at this point like Boreham Wood would go on to get the winner, but Altrincham were organised and resolute in defence, making it difficult for Wood to break them down. Tyrone Marsh went close with a free kick on seventy-seven minutes. Five minutes later, Marsh was just off target again, this time with a volley. The hosts started to wake up again in the final few minutes and caused several nervy moments for the Wood backline. Matty Kosylo shot straight at Ashmore and Isaac Marriott shot wide.

After a poor first half, it was a good point for Luke Garrard’s men. The worrying this to come out of the match, are injuries to three key midfielders with Liam O’Neil injured before the game and Mo Sagaf and Charlie Owens, just before half time. Let’s hope some of them return before the match against Oldham Athletic next Saturday.

FULL TIME: ALTRINCHAM 1-1 BOREHAM WOOD

By Brett Lewis

 OUR CLUB. OUR TOWN. OUR COMMUNITY.