Ebbsfleet United 3-1 Boreham Wood
Kuflink Stadium
30th September 3.00pm, Vanarama National League
It was a disappointing afternoon for Boreham Wood as they succumb to a 3-1 defeat in Kent against a good Ebbsfleet United side. Luke Garrard made two changes from the starting line-up following Tuesday’s night’s draw at AFC Fylde with David Agbontohoma returning from injury in place of suspended Chris Bush and new loan singing Matt Robinson making his debut in place of Tom Whelan who drops to the bench.
In a lively opening, both sides gave as good as they got. Wood had the first chance on three minutes when skipper Jack Payne fired narrowly wide from outside the penalty area. Five minutes later Luke O’Neill was just off target from a free kick for the hosts. On eleven minutes, Nathan Ashmore was called into action against his old club by denying Ouss Cisse with a smart save. A minute later, Boreham Wood should have taken the lead when a lovely flowing move involving Erico Sousa, Tyrone March and Cameron Coxe finished with Lee Ndlovu not connecting properly with his shot.
On twenty-two minutes The Fleet took a deserved lead who Boreham Wood failed to clear their lines and Darren McQueen’s shot was deflected into the path of Luke O’Neill, who made no mistake from close range. Eight minutes later, the hosts doubled their lead when an excellent pass from Franklin Domi picked out McQueen who finished well past Ashmore in the Wood goal. Boreham Wood pulled one back on thirty-six minutes when Angelo Balanta scored from outside the penalty area for his fourth goal in the last three matches. Ndlovu had a good chance to equalise, three minutes later but his shot was just wide of Mark Cousins goal.
HALF TIME: EBBSFLEET UNITED 2-1 BOREHAM WOOD
Boreham Wood came out in the second half with real purpose as they pushed for an equaliser. Coxe had a good chance on forty-nine minutes. He failed to connect properly with Marsh’s cross and screwed his shot wide. Eight minutes later, Mark Cousins produced an excellent fingertip save to deny Femi Ilesamni at the back post. On sixty-two minutes, Marsh took the ball around the goalkeeper but was unable to sort his feet out to shoot on goal. A minute later David Agbontohoma was just off target with a header.
The Boreham Wood dominance came to an abrupt end on sixty-five minutes when defender Billy Sass-Davies was given a straight red card, meaning Boreham Wood were down to ten men. Five minutes later Ebbsfleet got their third goal. A cross from Josh Wright was dummied by Hayden White before McQueen smashed the ball past Ashmore to make it 3-1. There was no way back for Boreham Wood and if anything, it was Ebbsfleet who looked more likely to get the next goal. Former Wood midfielder Billy Clifford nearly did in the third minute of injury time but was denied by Ashmore. Two minutes later, Ashmore made another save, this time denying Josh Wright before referee Aaron Farmer called a halt to proceedings.
It was another disappointing afternoon for Boreham Wood. While the sending off halted their momentum in the second half, the team were playing catch up after a poor first half and not for the first time this season, were unable to take their chances at key times in the match. With Hartlepool United and Chesterfield due at Mangata Pay UK Stadium, Meadow Park in the next seven days, Luke Garrard will want to see improved performances and results in both games.
FULL TIME: EBBSFLEET UNITED 3-1 BOREHAM WOOD
Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Coxe, Ilesamni, Agbontohoma, Sass-Davies, Payne, (Whelan 84) Robinson, Sousa (Abraham 81), Marsh, Balanta (Stephens 72), Ndlovu,
Subs not used: Owens, Griffiths,
Ebbsfleet United: Cousins, O’Neill, Wright, Cisse, McQueen (Clifford 72), Domi, Solly, Chapman (Tanna 72), White, Amoo (Coulthirst 79), Hollis,
Subs not used: Edsar, Odokonyero,
By Brett Lewis
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