SOLIHULL MOORS HOLD WOOD TO DRAW

Boreham Wood and Solihull Moors played out a battling 0-0 draw at Damson Park.

Two strong defences ruled the afternoon, with Bruno Andrade coming closest for the visitors.

The result leaves the Wood in the playoffs going into Christmas.

Noah Chesmain made his debut for the Wood, coming in at left-wing-back, with Ricky Shakes moving into central midfield.

The Wood had the early attacking impetus and Kane Smith played in Andrade down the right channel, but it was over hit and drifted out of play.

Blair Turgott, fresh from signing permanently at Meadow Park, rounded two men in the middle, but was unable to find a teammate.

Looking the brighter of the two sides, Andrade picked up the ball for the Wood, but blasted an effort over the crossbar.

Andrade’s freekick was blocked and cleared by the Moors, but the Wood recycled it and Shakes flashed an effort from the edge of the area, but it was blocked wide.

Andrade battled the ball from Kristian Green on the edge of the host’s box and curled an effort narrowly past the post.

Still searching for a way into the match, Jack Storer struck at Grant Smith on the turn, but it was blocked wide.

Storer was looking sharpest for the hosts and fired at Smith from outside the area, but the stopper pushed wide with a diving save.

Turgott had been found by Smith in the middle of the box, but he was dispossessed just as he was about to pull the trigger.

Several snapped at a loose ball, following Andrade’s corner, but it was blocked and cleared.

Wood stopper Smith had to be alert again, as he kept Storer’s freekick out with his fingertips.

Dan Holman struck low from inside the area, but it was blocked and cleared by the Moors defence.

The best chance of the match for the Wood fell to top scorer Bruno Andrade, after he had been found by a cross into the area, but he was surrounded by defenders and unable to poke his effort past Max O’Leary.

Moors had their best chance shortly after, Fiacre Kelleher had found Dapo Afolayan in the area, and he attempted to take it around goalkeeper Smith, and place home, but Dave Stephens smashed it off the line.

A cute backheel from Shaun Jeffers was met by the on-rushing Andrade who charged into the area, but he was dispossessed before he could strike. 

Afolayan shot from outside of the area, but his shot was deflected wide. 

On the counter, Balanta charged forward and teed off Andrade, who cut inside and curled a shot at O’Leary, but he pushed wide. 

The Wood: G Smith, K Smith, Stephens, Shakes, Champion ©, Murtagh, Andrade, Turley, Turgott (Balanta 60), Holman (Jeffers 60), Chesmain

Subs not used: Burbidge, Thomas, Jarvis

Solihull Moors: O’Leary, Green, Carter ©, Murombedzi, Reckford, Green, Daly, Storer (Carline 64), Kelleher, Osborne, Thomas (Afolayan 19)

Subs not used: Bowen, Atkinson, Martin

Attendance: 419