Voodoo Continues.
Vanarama Conference South.
Staines Town 2 Boreham Wood 1,
by John Mead.
It is now fifteen meetings between these two sides since Wood managed a win. The voodoo struck early this time with Wood finding themselves two down inside four minutes.
Max Worsfold was allowed a run on goal on the left unleashing a drive that beat James Russell from twenty five yards. Then, less than 60 seconds later Louie Theophanous jigged past two challenges before Russell’s hesitation allowed him to slip Calum Willock through for an easy tap in.
Eighty six minutes is a long time to defend a two goal lead, especially given that this Wood side have showed it has goals in it. A scrappy affair with both sides struggling to keep possession manifested itself with Wood mainly on the offensive, winning a string of corners. After 31 minutes one such corner saw a breakthrough. Austin Lipman delivered from the left and Callum Reynolds powered a header past Jack Turner to reduce the deficit.
Nine minutes later Turner made a fine point blank save when Reynolds almost stole an identical equaliser from Graeme Montgomery’s right sided corner.
The half of few chances ended with Russell saving from Willock, which preceded an more watchable second half. Lee Angol created a fine opportunity to equalise when he stole possession from keeper Turner who was on the goal line but well out of goal. The Luton Town loanee’s shot at the empty net was going wide, but defender Chris M’Boungou made sure with a clearing header.
Angol then had a shot palmed away by Turner with Sam Cox going agonisingly close from the rebound. At the other end Russell was then forced to make his best save of the game, from his own team mate Josh Hill after Sanchez Ming beat Greg Morgan down the right before crossing into danger.
The introduction of Matthew Whichelow had the desired effect when he was immediately upended by M’Boungou when running through on goal.
Fellow substitute Ryan Hope tried a shot from the edge of the area which was pushed wide for a corner with time running out for Wood. With six minutes remaining Angol crossed from the right which caused Ifil to raise his arm, the ball striking his forearm inside the penalty area. Unfortunately for Wood the voodoo continued with referee Mr Coggins and his assistant the only two people inside the ground who saw otherwise.
Theophanous almost added to the curse, denied when Reynolds made an all important challenge.
There was one last chance to grab the all important second goal that their performance deserved at the very least. Turner failed to gather cleanly from a Reynolds header, allowing Ricky Shakes to set up Whichelow who was denied by the woodwork.
The performance pleased Wood boss Ian Allinson. “ We chased the game well but failed to capitalise on the numerous chances we created. Our reaction to going two down was pleasing and some of the decisions this afternoon obviously did not go our way. If you ask me for a Man Of The Match it has to be the Staines Town keeper!”
Speaking about the two early goals he added, “ The inconsistencies started creeping back into our play. We spent half an hour closing down Hemel Hempstead in those areas on Tuesday night and went on to win the game. This afternoon both the defenders and the midfield let me down for the opener. The second goal was down to individual errors from several players. Credit to Staines, they made the job of getting back into the game a difficult one.”
Team: Russell, Nunn, Morgan (Whichelow 66), Cox, Hill, Reynolds, Shakes, Thomas (Hope 66), Angol, Lipman, Montgomery.
Subs not used: Beattie, Noto, Courtnage.
Bookings: Cox.
Goals: Staines Town: Worsfold 3. Willock 4.
Boreham Wood: Reynolds 31.
Man Of The Match: Callum Reynolds.
