Mario Rescues A Point.
The Skrill South.
Boreham Wood 1 Farnborough 1,
by John Mead.
Mario Noto’s superb second half free kick ensured a point from this entertaining game. In a very watchable contest both sides had a real go at each other but Ian Allinson was left the least satisfied of the two managers.
“ I thought we could have been out of sight by half time with the quality of ball in the final third being something we still need to work on.” That said Wood produced some excellent free flowing football against a side determined to use their own pace on the counter attack.
A win for either side would have been a real nerve settler given the frantic relegation battle just below them. However Farnborough’s first draw of the year and another two points dropped at home by Wood did little to smooth the ride.
Wood started well and except for a few pockets of play were pretty much in control of the game from start to finish. Half chances came and went before Kudos Oyenuga showed great control inside the penalty area hitting a low curling effort that tested Kevin Scriven in the Boro goal.
Graeme Montgomery then carved out a fine chance with a blistering run down the left wing, passing two defenders before issuing a telling cross that picked out the run of Oyenuga at the far post. Scriven was beaten but ex Wood loan player Matthew Ball read the move well and tracked back to clear a certain goal off the line.
Wood were playing some fine football and the slick exchange of passes between Ben Nunn, Noto and Matty Whichelow set up Junior Morias for a power drive that the impressive Scriven tipped acrobatically to safety.
The Farnborough front pairing of JJ Hooper and Connor French briefly showed, forcing James Russell to rush out and save at the feet of French. Then with 24 minutes played Wood were surprised against the run of play. Exploiting a gap in the defence down the right wing Hooper strode free before finishing with a perfect shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net.
Another attack followed with Luke Garrard lucky to see a Russell save deflect off his body and over the bar. The visitors enjoyed their best spell with Russell rushing out of his area to deny Hooper, before Dan Bennett saw his audacious attempt on the resultant open goal sail wide of the target.
Wood returned in the same attacking vein after the break with Nunn setting up Montgomery whose flick was held by Scriven. When Oyenuga won a free kick twenty eight yards from goal Noto stepped up to execute the perfect response, curling a superb effort around the wall and leaving Scriven no chance finding the left hand corner of the net.
The game remained exciting, Sam Cox dug deep to win a string of tackles in the middle of the park, with Morias remaining a constant thorn in the side of the Boro defence.
With Wood playing a high line the defence were sprung on occasions. Callum Reynolds was drawn out of position allowing the visitors to break and a goal chance was eluded by the superb Cox who got back to make a brave clearing header.
Noto in his best game of the season for Wood played a one two with Morias before Montgomery blasted over from ten yards.
The last chance of the game featured the two Wood substitutes. An exquisite back heel from Loick Pires sent Lee Angol through on goal, only for Scriven to deflect the effort into the side netting.
The breathtaking tie was summarised by Ian Allinson who commented, “ We got caught on the break by their centre froward who was a real handful. With injuries restricting our selection at the back we need to bring in another player quickly to see us over the line. It was another point earned in the right direction and we still have a game in hand over Farnborough and Chelmsford City, who still have to come to us. Junior Morias was lively again tonight and if he gets the right service his goal tally will continue to grow.”
Wood travel to Concord Rangers this Thursday, their first ever visit to the Canvey Island based club who have had an assured first season at Conference South level.
Team: Russell, Nunn, Morgan, Garrard, Noto, Reynolds, Whichelow (Pires 83), Cox, Morias, Oyenuga (Angol 73), Montgomery.
Subs not used: Mawer, Brown, Courtnage.
Goals: Boreham Wood: Noto 55.
Farnborough: Hooper 24.
Wood Man Of The Match: Mario Noto.
