Boreham Wood (Page 2)

Yeovil wrapped up their home campaign with a 2-2 draw against Boreham Wood at Huish Park yesterday. Here are Ian’s Five Conclusions…

We stuck with the plan and deserved the point, if not more. At half time, I expected to see Charlie Lee make changes, given how early he made them against Wealdstone. At 2-0 down, it felt to me like we struggled to find our rhythm in the 5-3-2. But, no changes were forthcoming from Charlie Lee and his team battled back when it all looked pretty bleak at half time. Fair play to Charlie, he stuck with the system that they’d been working on through the week and his team performed for him.

Luke Wilkinson fires home the equaliser. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

It was a relief to finally get something from set pieces. Our poor return from set pieces is no secret this season, but we finally managed to convert not one, but two. It feels like we’ve been waiting for a long throw to pay off since Charlie Lee was hauling them into the box in 2019. Finally, Morgan Williams (or was it Mendy?) put one in the net. And not long after that, Luke Wilkinson got his first of the season with an excellent freekick, aided by Ashmore taking a huge step to his right and leaving the left side of his goal open.

Dale Gorman had a game to forget. I think Gorman has had a decent first season at Huish Park. When he plays well, we play well. He keeps the ball ticking over and he has an eye for pass – just look at his assist for Josh Neufville against Southend. Yesterday, though, was one of his bad days. Having missed a penalty, which would have brought us level, he then got caught in possession and tried to claim a freekick as Dennon Lewis raced away to double Wood’s lead. Gorman’s frustration boiled over 10 minutes later he was booked for dissent. He improved in the second half, but he has had his moments this season.

 

I’d love Charlie Lee to still be with us next season. Considering he was brought in as Darren Sarll’s assistant until the end of the season at Skivo’s departure, Charlie Lee has had to make a hell of a step up in his short time back at the club. I think he’s been a breathe of fresh air as manager. We’ve played more adventurously since he’s taken the reins and I think the team look more relaxed – albeit with considerably less pressure. While I’m not sure he’s the right man to get us out of the National League, he’s a ready-made assistant whose relationship with the current crop (should a few remain) will be crucial to any incoming manager.

Huish Park hasn’t been a happy place this season, but yesterday had a different feel to it. The return of the Get Pedalling ride was a moment I won’t forget in a hurry. This group, who’ve shared their story of the week on our podcast feed, have been an inspiration with their efforts. To see them arrive at Huish Park led by Lee Collins’ partner Rachel, including club legend Terry Skiverton and cheered on by supporters, players and staff set a positive tone for the afternoon. Add to that, the more than 300 kids which the Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust brought to Huish Park yesterday and there was a nice feel about the place. Let’s have more of those moments next season, with the community at the heart of their football club.

Charlie Lee said he never doubted his Yeovil Town side’s ability to come back and get something out of today’s final home fixture of the season.

The Glovers’ caretaker boss made a number of changes from the goalless draw with Wealdstone on Bank Holiday Monday, playing a back three with defenders Morgan Williams and Jack Robinson at wing back against Boreham Wood.

Despite trailing 2-0 at half-time, Lee said he believed his side’s performance was “the best we’ve played since I have been manager” and never considered making changes at the break.

Caretaker manager Charlie Lee was happy with his side’s performance in the 2-0 draw against Boreham Wood.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins he said: “I turned to Jody (Brown, assistant manager) at one point when we were 2-0 down and I said ‘I don’t know why, but I think that is the best we’ve played since I have been manager’.

“It made my job easy at half-time because I said to the players ‘you have got to keep doing the same things, you have got to be brave and go back and win the game.’

“From a bad position being 2-0 down, they were exceptional in the second half, but at no point did I ever feel uncomfortable with what we were doing.”

In between goals from the visitors’ Tyrone Marsh and Dennon Lewis, midfielder Dale Gorman saw a penalty saved, but it was two set pieces which led to the goals which earned Yeovil a point.

Just before the hour, a long throw from Tom Knowles came off Boreham Wood defender Jacob Mendy to pull one back before captain Luke Wilkinson fired home his first of the season from a free-kick five minutes later.

Lee said: “We looked a threat from set pieces, we have worked on it a lot in these past few weeks and I have been very vocal.

“I don’t like to criticise players but I have criticised them for set pieces and they had the bit between their teeth today.

We had a left back playing left wing back and a centre back playing right wing back and they were incredible.

Morgan Williams could play that position for the rest of his career, he was sloppy on the ball a couple of times, but that was the whole team and I thought there was a lot of positives.

There will be a lot more positives coming out of today than there has been in other games recently.

The result keeps Yeovil in 13th place in the National League table with their final day opponents Altrincham two points behind them with a game in hand. They travel to Bromley on Tuesday night before hosting Yeovil at Moss Lane next Sunday.

Venue: Huish Park
Saturday, 7th April, 3pm kick-off

Conditions: Lovely clear day.

Pitch: Looking good.

Attendance: 2,599

Scorers: Tyrone Marsh 11 (0-1), Dennon Lewis 27 (0-2), Jacob Mendy o.g. 59 (1-2), Luke Wilkinson 65 (2-2)

Bookings:

Yeovil: Gorman 36, D’Ath 53
Boreham Wood: 
Raymond 37, Evans 65

Referee: Ryan Atkin

 


Yeovil Town : (5-3-2)

Grant Smith

Morgan Williams, Mark Little (for Reuben Reid, 83), Luke Wilkinson, Max Hunt (for Ben Barclay, 90), Jack Robinson

Lawson D’Ath, Dale Gorman, Matt Worthington (for Jordan Barnett, 90)

Tom Knowles, Josh Neufville

Substitutes: Ben Barclay, Jordan Barnett, Alex Bradley, Reuben Reid, Adi Yussuf.

Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Evans, Stephens, Comley, Mendy Mendy, Smith, Mafuta, Raymond, Boden (for Clifton, 82), Marsh, Lewis. Substitutes: Ashby-Hammond, Smith, Joyce, Orsi.



Match Report

A second half free-kick from captain Luke Wilkinson earned Yeovil Town a point in their final National League home match of the season.

Having gone 2-0 down after a powder puff first half performance, Charlie Lee‘s men turned things around with an improved second half appearance.

A long throw from Tom Knowles was flicked in to his own net by Boreham Wood defender Jacob Mendy to pull one back after the hour mark before Wilkinson stepped up to lash home the equaliser five minutes later.

Here’s how it went down at Huish Park……

 

First half

Caretaker manager Charlie Lee went for a back three of Luke WilkinsonMax Hunt and Mark Little to match up to the opposition who arrived at Huish Park still in with a shout of a play-off place. Morgan Williams and Jack Robinson 

The opening exchanges favored the home side albeit their possession was never turned in to any real threat on the visitors’ goal and after 11 minutes Boreham Wood opened the scoring with their first attack.

Mark Little lost the ball to Jacob Mendy who drilled a ball across the face of goal and visitors’ top scorer Tyrone MARSH was on hand inside the six yard box to open the scoring with his 11th of the season.

Yet another goal conceded far too easily but, on 17 minutes, Yeovil were gifted a golden opportunity to half the deficit. Tom Knowles controlled the ball superbly inside the box and went down under contact from the Boreham Wood defender and, despite the forward getting back on his feet, the referee pointed to the penalty spot.

Dale Gorman. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Dale Gorman stepped up and his effort was saved by Nathan Ashmore. Put that down as ‘good height for the goalkeeper’ and from the follow-up the ball was put back in to the box by Knowles and Morgan Williams headed wide.

On 24 minutes, Wood had a penalty shout when Kane Smith’s shot was blocked by Wilkinson, the visitors were convinced it was handball, the referee was not. But three minutes later they doubled their advantage.

Dennon LEWIS won the ball 40 yards from goal and found himself one-on-one with Wilkinson and made no mistake with a composed finish.

A golden opportunity to level the scoreline spurned followed by another gift of a goal. Sigh. It just sums us up this season, doesn’t it?

It took until moments after the board went up to confirm the amount of added time before half-time for Yeovil to fashion a meaningful chain and no surprise it was Knowles whose shot was smartly stopped by Ashmore.

Play almost immediately swung to the other half as goal-scorer Lewis hassled Jack Robinson in to a mistake, burst forward but his shot was stopped by Grant Smith.

If this change of formation was an experiment by Charlie Lee, it failed.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Boreham Wood 2

 

Second Half

If you were out late from the bar (is that a thing at Huish Park at half-time?) and did not arrive until around the hour mark, you’d not miss anything. Not a thing. But on 59 minutes, Yeovil got a goal back.
A long throw by Knowles landed on the head of Mendy who was challenging with Morgan Williams and looped in to the net. Williams grabbed the ball as if it was him, but that was an OWN GOAL from Mendy – albeit one from a long throw.
A bit of a spark? Josh Neufville wriggled away as far as the edge of the box and found himself crowded out by the Boreham Wood defence, passed to Knowles but his effort was easily stopped by Ashmore.
On 65 minutes, Knowles was causing problems again and fouled just outside the box by Will Evans, who was shown a yellow card for his ‘professional’ foul.
Luke Wilkinson celebrates his equaliser. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

From the resulting free-kick, Gorman and Wilkinson were over the ball. Not excited, right? Obviously Nathan Ashmore in the Boreham Wood goal had been listening to the podcast and underestimated WILKINSON whose effort sent the keeper the wrong way to net the equaliser.

You’re not reading this wrong, folks. That is a goal from a long throw and one from a free-kick – where’s that been all season?
Wherever it had been, it was enough to earn a point in this last action of the season at Huish Park – with the exception of next weekend’s Legends’ game, of course.

Full time: Yeovil Town 2 Boreham Wood 2

Yeovil Town line up with a back three as they take on Boreham Wood in the final home game of the National League season.

Max Hunt and Mark Little return to the starting XI after missing the Bank Holiday draw with Wealdstone and join Luke Wilkisnon with Morgan Williams and Jack Robinson expected to be deployed as wing backs.

Dale Gorman also returns in midfield with Ben Barclay and Adi Yussuf dropping to the bench. Sonny Blu Lo-Everton is not in the squad.

Yeovil Town: Grant Smith, Mark Little, Morgan Williams, Max Hunt, Luke Wilkinson,  Jack Robinson, Lawson D’Ath, Matt Worthington,  Dale Gorman, Josh Neufville, Tom Knowles. Substitutes: Ben Barclay, Jordan Barnett, Alex Bradley, Reuben Reid, Adi Yussuf.

Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Evans, Stephens, Comley, Mendy Mendy, Smith, Mafuta, Raymond, Boden, Marsh, Lewis. Substitutes: Ashby-Hammond, Cliton, Smith, Joyce, Orsi.

Mathematically this weekend’s visitors to Huish Park, Boreham Wood, still have a chance of making the National League’s top seven.

The Wood have seen their season fall off a cliff since the start of March when they went out of the FA Cup after an amazing run which saw them knock out AFC Bournemouth, who put Yeovil out in the previous round and will be a Premier League side next season.

Since the 2-0 loss at Everton, they have won just twice and lost eight times in the National League – but their last two results have been a 2-0 win at table-topping Stockport County last weekend and a 1-1 draw at home to title-chasing Wrexham on Bank Holiday Monday.

Boss Luke Garrard has been rewarded with a new three-year contract this week which (if he sees it out) would take him to a decade in the dug-out with the club he served as a player for five seasons.

He said: “I was fortunate enough that seven seasons ago the (chairman Danny Hunter) gave me the opportunity to take the reins and I know at any other National League club I would not get that chance.

“So I want to repay the (chairman) and I hope we can create even more memories and history in the next three years.

“I am disappointed with the way this season panned out, but we are in the history books again and every year we make history. That is something I am very proud of.”

After the trip to Somerset, Boreham Wood face two other play-off chasing sides in their final two fixtures with a long trip to Grimsby Town on Tuesday night followed by a final day fixture at home to Solihull Moors.

Garrard’s target?: “Our job now is to ensure we have the best defence in the division, we go and get eighth or ninth and certainly don’t drop out of the top ten.

 


FROM THE MANAGER

Wood manager Luke Garrard recognises the similarities between his own rise to management with that of of his opposite number Yeovil caretaker boss, Charlie Lee.

In 2015, Garrard stepped up after five years as a player at Meadow Park and was the division’s youngest manager at the time.

Speaking of the Glovers, he said: “When I was given the job here seven years ago, I knew it could have been my first and my last job.

“I think (Charlie) has done really well, you can see his structure and the way he wants to play and there is real good personnel in the (Yeovil) team.

“(Josh) Neufville has come back from a really bad injury and done well and is finding his form, (Tom) Knowles who I have always liked, Dale Gorman who I think is one of the best midfield players in this decision and Luke Wilkinson who I played with myself.

“It’s going to be tough, they have fallen away a bit but they will still have ambitions to finish as high as possible but I know Charlie is going to go out and fight for everything.”

 


TEAM NEWS

The imposing figure of central defender Jamal Fyfield will definitely be missing at Huish Park following his red card in the 1-1 draw with Wrexham on Bank Holiday Monday.

He seems likely to be replaced by James Comley on the left side of a three-man defence with Boreham Wood likely to stick with their familiar 3-5-2 formation.

In goal, Nathan Ashmore, who impressed in the reverse fixture at the end of September, seems likely to remain between the posts.

He returned in at the end of last month having been replaced between the posts by Fulham loanee Taye Ashby-Hammond in October and was even loaned out to National League rivals Maidenhead United. His return in goal has coincided with a return to form.


A FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS

Grant Smith has happy memories of his time as a Boreham Wood player. The Yeovil Town goalkeeper was part of the side which reached the National League play-off final in 2018, eventually losing to Tranmere Rovers at Wembley.

Grant Smith didn’t have a lot to do, but he did pull off an important stop at the end. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Smith spent two seasons at Meadow Park before signing for Lincoln City. He returned to Hertfordshire in the 2019-20 campaign and played in Wood’s play-off eliminator against FC Halifax Town due to a suspension to first-choice keeper Nathan Ashmore.

Adi Yussuf is another player who has stepped out at Wembley as a Boreham Wood player. He was a 79th-minute substitute in the club’s play-off final defeat to Harrogate Town whilst on loan from Blackpool.

Glovers’ defender Luke Wilkinson also had two loan spells at Boreham Wood in the Conference South side. He turned out 26 times in the 2010-11 season and 23 times after returning the following campaign whilst on loan from Dagenham & Redbridge.

In the home side’s squad, Connor Smith spent the 2017-18 season at Huish Park, having his contract cancelled at the end of the first campaign. He signed for Wood from Wealdstone in the summer.

Other players with a foot in both camps include Kabongo Tshimanga, who played zero minutes whilst on loan at Huish Park before going on to be prolific with Wood, whilst Joe Quigley also had a nine-game spell with Wood on loan from AFC Bournemouth in 2018.

Graham Roberts, who managed Yeovil to the Isthmian League Premier Division title and promotion back to the Conference in 1997, managed Boreham Wood to the Isthmian League Division one title in 1999-2000 before his departure saw two of his players, Mickey Engwell and Lee Harvey, take charge.

Engwell was Roberts’ captain at Huish Park and Harvey was a towering centre half in that title-winning side of 1997.

Engwell was replaced as Wood manager by Steve Browne, who was part of that title-winning side under Graham Roberts, and probably better known to younger Yeovil fans as the father of Rhys.

Billy Clifford, who played once in green-and-white in a League Cup win at Southend United in 2013 whilst on loan from Chelsea, spent the 2015-16 season at Meadow Park, whilst Angelo Balanta was part of the side which reached the Championship under Gary Johnson before spending two years at Boreham Wood.

Josh Staunton.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Yeovil Town’s Josh Staunton took to social media following the Glovers’ 2-1 defeat to Boreham Wood to praise the performance of the side despite the result.

Dale Gorman’s opener was cancelled out by an own goal before Adi Yussuf was sent off just before half time.

Boreham Wood scored a winner midway through the second half with the Glovers unable to equalise despite a number of late chances.

Staunton, who was captain in the absence of Luke Wilkinson and Mark Little, said on Twitter;

“Always a hard pill to swallow after a loss. Especially after battling away with 10 men. Thought the boys were excellent second half and we were unlucky to come away empty handed in the end. The fans were amazing, we appreciate the support!”

 

 

Barnett in action vs King’s Lynn
Pic Courtesy of Mike Kunz

Yeovil Town left back Jordan Barnett was disappointed to come away from Boreham Wood with nothing after the Glovers lost 2-1.

Speaking to BBC Somerset, Barnett was adament the Glovers were on top both with 11 and 10 men with Adi Yussuf being shown a brace of yellow cards shortly before half time.

“We were definately on top, especially in the first half, when we had the man sent off we have to be a little more defensive, but we were also on top with ten men”

“In the second half, we came out and battled very hard and we were dominant throughout the game”

When asked about the sending off, Barnett was almost refreshingly honest about it saying;
“Obviously it’s a bit stupid, it’s a bit reckless, but it’s one of them where the ref is always going to give it”

“It’s just a stupid one really”

There were chances for the Glovers throughout the game both with 11 and 10 on the pitch and Barnett was quick to praise opposition goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore.

“Quigz (Joe Quigley) has had a few (chances), Knowlesy had a few, the keeper has pulled off some worldy saves off… but we were obvioulsy on top for large parts.”

The result leaves Yeovil Town 11th in the National League table on nine points.

Sarll and Skiverton
Terry Skiverton, right, alongside Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll spoke to BBC Somerset following the Glovers’ 2-1 defeat to Boreham Wood on Saturday.

He talked of his pride as the visitors spent most of the game with ten men after a 38th minute red card to Adi Yussuf.

“I thought more so than that (just) at times, we were the better team, I’m a bit disappointed we haven’t won, but I am immensely proud of the group of players.”

“They took themselves through that process (after the red card) they took themselves through the challenges and I thought they played wonderfully in the second half”

With regards to the sending off – the Glovers’ second of the season already – when asked if he thought it was a red card decision, Sarll simply replied “Yes”

He would go on to reiterate his pleasure at the response, rather than focus on the incidents that led to either of Yussuf’s yellow cards.

“I thought second half especially, the football we played, how competitive we were – I know it’s a defeat, but we are going to be all right, we are”

There was praise for former Boreham Wood ‘keeper Grant Smith, who despite an error in the build up to one of the hosts’ goals has been a regular member of the squad and often backed  by supporters, as well as for Josh Staunton who filled in at centre-half with a performance described by Sarll as “enormous”

Speaking on Yeovil’s newest recruit, Mitch Rose, Sarll indicated he was impressed with the midfielder’s debut performance and would expect more from the former Notts County man over time.

“I’ve known Mitchell a long, long time, he’s a powerful athlete and charachter and I thought you saw his qualities straight away when he came on.

“He’s not trained with us yet… he’s going to be a massive player for us, especially without Luke (Wilkinson). He gives us another senior man, another established man and he has real qualities.”

Yeovil Town have a 10-day wait for another competitive game when facing Maidenhead on October 5th, athough there was an indication of a midweek friendly against an unnamed EFL side this midweek.

Venue: Meadow Park
Saturday September 25 2021, 3pm kick-off.

Conditions: Dry but dull
Ground: Perfect

Scorers: Dale Gorman 15 (1-0), Worthington o.g. 26 (1-1), Rees 60 (1-2)

Attendance: 658

Referee: Scott Simpson

Bookings:
Yeovil: Yussuf 33, 38
Boreham Wood: Evans 52, Smith 85

Sendings off
Yeovil: 
Yussuf 38
Boreham Wood: None


Yeovil Town : (4-4-2)
Grant Smith
Dan Moss, Max Hunt, Josh Staunton, Jordan Barnett
Charlie Wakefield, Dale Gorman, Matt Worthington, Tom Knowles
Joe Quigley, Adi Yussuf

Subs: Jack Robinson (for Barnett, 71), Lo-Everton (for Worthington, 78), Rose (for Wakefield, 84), Max Evans (not used), Alex Bradley (not used).

Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Mendy, Ilesanmi, Evans, Fyfield, Smith, Rees (for Stephens, 90), Ricketts,Raymond (for Smith, 75), Marsh (for Clifton, 86), Boden. Subs not used: Mafuta, Smith.

 


Summary

Ten man Yeovil Town fell to a 2-1 defeat on the road to Boreham Wood this afternoon.

The Glovers took the lead from a Dale Gorman free kick after quarter of an hour, but calamitous goalkeeping saw Boreham Wood equalise after Grant Smith punched the ball into the back of Matt Worthington.

Adi Yussuf saw red in the first half for two bookable offences.

Josh Rees‘ 60th minute header was enough for Boreham Wood as the Glovers chased an equaliser but couldn’t break the Hertfordshire side down.

Here’s how Ian saw it…..

The Glovers made two changes from last weekends match against Chesterfield. Josh Staunton dropped into defence for Luke Wilkinson with Matt Worthington coming in to the midfielder to partner Gorman. Adi Yussuf started up front in place of Sonny Blu Lo Everton.

Smith was called into action in the 12th minute making a good reaction save.

Moments later, Gorman struck a low free kick which snuck under the Boreham Wood wall and through Nathan Ashmore and into the goal.

In the 25th minute Boreham Wood equalised after hapless defending. Smith opted to punch a corner rather than catch it and his punch ricocheted off of Worthington into the goal.

Yussuf picked up a silly yellow card in the 33rd minute and five minutes later he was given his marching orders jumping in recklessly for a 50-50.

Half time: Boreham Wood 1 – 1 Yeovil Town

Smith was forced into a smart one-handed save early in the second half and came close to taking the lead in the 57th minute.

Tom Knowles rode a Boreham Wood challenge and made to the byline before cutting back leaving two defenders on the floor. He struck a decent right footed effort which flew wide of the post.

Moments later Rees put Boreham Wood ahead with a back post header giving the Glovers an uphill task with ten men.

Yeovil pressed on looking for an equaliser and they had their chances.

Knowles hit the post in the 64th minute and with 20 minutes left Joe Quigley drew a save from Ashmore and couldn’t find Knowles with his second bite of the cherry.

Yeovil thought they’d found their goal in the 90th through Quigley. Ashmore and a good stop from Gorman’s strike and reacted well to keep out the oncoming Quigley’s header.

Full time: Boreham Wood 2 – 1 Yeovil Town

 

See our Five Conclusions from Meadow Park here.

 

Whilst Boreham Wood manager Luke Garrard may have a similarly limited squad to select from as his opposite number Darren Sarll, he certainly has experience on his side.

Our hosts this weekend have the oldest squad in the National League with an average age of 30.2 years, compared with our 24.3 years – and that is including the injured (and older) Mark LittleReuben Reid and Luke Wilkinson.

In their 3-1 defeat at Solihull Moors last weekend, Wood’s starting line-up had an average age of 29.09 years with Sarll’s XI against Chesterfield weighing in at 23.45 years.

The loss last weekend was their first of the season and they are unbeaten at home after picking up a win over Aldershot Town and then draws against FC Halifax Town and $tockport County.

There’s been some noticeable departures from last season – when we picked up wins home and away against Boreham Wood. Notably the departure of the prolific Kabongo Tshimanga to Chesterfield, who has been replaced by the experienced Scott Boden, who was released by the Spireites in the summer.

Going forward Shaquile Coulthirst was released while the noticeable presence of Matt Rhead will be less noticeable as he’s joined Alfreton Town. These departures come off the back of the loss of academy product Sorba Thomas who joined Huddersfield Town midway through last season.

Our hosts’ success is built on a solid defence which begins at imposing goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore behind a back three of Jamal FyfieldWill Evans, a summer signing from Chesterfield, and Femi Ilesanmi, with wing backs Kane Smith and Jacob Mendy Mendy providing pace.

Mendy Mendy, who began his career at Atletico Madrid,  opened his account for Wood in the 3-1 defeat at Solihull having joined from Wealdstone in the summer where he scored nine times for the Stones.

 


FROM THE MANAGER

Speaking to Boreham Wood TV following last weekend’s defeat at Solihull Moors, manager Luke Garrard said:

We have got a free week now with no midweek game, so we will prepare because we have Yeovil coming to town on Saturday.

“They lost to Chesterfield, so they are going to want a reaction. I imagine it is going to be a nice, tight affair and another tough game in the National League.

“It is frightening some of the results in the National League. Halifax (who we drew 2-2 with on the previous Tuesday) and we were excellent against for large periods having gone and done Stockport 3-0, so they are a side to watch.

“There’s some good sides at this level and it does not get any easier from Solihull to Yeovil, but I just said to the lads that if we won today we would park it and if we lose today we park it and the focus turns to Yeovil.

“The boys know that was not good enough today, they are all talking (in the dressing room) about what should have been better.

“They are experienced professionals and they know what is expected of them on an away day, and we have shown this season at Bromley (3-2 win), away at Dover (1-0 win) and away at Weymouth (2-0 win) that we can perform away.

“Today we were not at the races, I can’t over-analyse it, I’ll wipe my mouth, move on and we’ll prepare for Yeovil.”


TEAM NEWS

There is none. In all seriousness, it sounds as if Boreham Wood have the same squad available to face Yeovil as they did in the 3-1 defeat at Solihull Moors last weekend.

So, expect to see Nathan Ashmore in goal, a back three of Jamal Fyfield, Will Evans and Femi Ilesanmi with Jacob Mendy Mendy and Kane Smith as wing backs.

In midfield, the evergreen Mark Ricketts will line up alongside Frankie Raymond and Josh Rees with Scott Boden and Tyrone Marsh up top.


A FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS

Grant Smith has happy memories of his time as a Boreham Wood player. The Yeovil Town goalkeeper was part of the side which reached the National League play-off final in 2018, eventually losing to Tranmere Rovers at Wembley.

Smith spent two seasons at Meadow Park before signing for Lincoln City. He returned to Hertfordshire in the 2019-20 campaign and played in Wood’s play-off eliminator against FC Halifax Town due to a suspension to first-choice keeper Nathan Ashmore.

Adi Yussuf is another player who has stepped out at Wembley as a Boreham Wood player. He was a 79th-minute substitute in the club’s play-off final defeat to Harrogate Town whilst on loan from Blackpool.

Joe Quigley will also be looking to get one over on this old employers. He had a nine-game spell on loan from AFC Bournemouth in 2018.

Glovers’ defender Luke Wilkinson also had two loan spells at Boreham Wood in the Conference South side. He turned out 26 times in the 2010-11 season and 23 times after returning the following campaign whilst on loan from Dagenham & Redbridge.

In the home side’s squad, Connor Smith spent the 2017-18 season at Huish Park, having his contract cancelled at the end of the first campaign. He signed for Wood from Wealdstone in the summer.

Other players with a foot in both camps include Kabongo Tshimanga, who played zero minutes whilst on loan at Huish Park before going on to be prolific with Wood.

Graham Roberts, who managed Yeovil to the Isthmian League Premier Division title and promotion back to the Conference in 1997, managed Boreham Wood to the Isthmian League Division one title in 1999-2000 before his departure saw two of his players, Mickey Engwell and Lee Harvey, take charge.

Engwell was Roberts’ captain at Huish Park and Harvey was a towering centre half in that title-winning side of 1997.

Engwell was replaced as Wood manager by Steve Browne, who was part of that title-winning side under Graham Roberts, and probably better known to younger Yeovil fans as the father of Rhys.

Billy Clifford, who played once in green-and-white in a League Cup win at Southend United in 2013 whilst on loan from Chelsea, spent the 2015-16 season at Meadow Park, whilst Angelo Balanta was part of the side which reached the Championship under Gary Johnson before spending two years at Boreham Wood.

 


If you are travelling to Meadow Park for Saturday’s fixture, make sure you check out our Ciderspace Away Travel Guidehere.

For details of tickets for the match – click here.