Boreham Wood came back from a goal down to frustrate promotion chasing AFC Fylde and earn a deserved 1-1 draw at Meadow Park on Saturday.
Neill Byrne had put his side ahead in the first half, but saw his goal cancelled out when Jamal Fyfield drew level for the home side.
Boreham Wood looked lively from the first whistle, in what was an attacking starting 11, that manager Luke Garrard had selected.
The first chance of the game fell to Bradley Ash, who had been selected in place of the suspended Ralston Gabriel. Ash’s shot was pushed just wide of the post, resulting in a corner for the Wood, which came to nothing.
Idris Kanu’s electric pace stunned Fylde multiple times during the opening 45 minutes and this was evidenced when Kanu latched onto a long through ball to force a foul from his marker.
AFC Fylde’s Nick Naughton had a shot well saved by Wood ’keeper Ryan Huddart, who pushed a ball over the bar that was coming towards him at pace.
The resulting corner caused problems for the Wood though, allowing the away side to take the lead. Tom Crawford’s initial shot was deflected and caused havoc amongst the Wood defence, allowing the unmarked Byrne to sneak past and slide the ball to the right of Huddart.
Boreham Wood remained positive in their attempts to get back into the game and Justin Shaibu headed the ball just wide from a Sean Shields’ cross.
The best opportunity for the Wood in the first half fell to Keiran Murtagh, whose long-range effort confused Fylde ‘keeper Jay Lynch and forced an unorthodox save, that was parried away to the feet of the defender.
The second half started off as an even contest between the two sides, with chances for both teams.
A deflection on the end of a shot from Haughton made life difficult for Huddart, but the ball looped over his goal to safety.
The Wood began to take control of the second period though and earned themselves a penalty, through a slick move.
Justin Shaibu was slipped through on goal with a precisely timed through ball, but Croasdale bundled him over, as he was about to strike.
There was a lengthy delay between the penalty being given and taken and Bradley Ash’s attempt was saved, but Fyfield followed the spot kick up and knocked the rebound past Lynch.
The game continued to be evenly contested with the majority of possession being played out in the middle of the park.
The Coasters appeared to be breaking away on the counter attack, but Femi Ilesanmi did well to catch up and win the ball back.
There were then headers for both Danny Rowe and Murtagh at opposite ends of the pitch, but each attempt went narrowly wide of the post.
Andy Bond then knocked Dan Bradley’s long-ball into the path of Haughton, but his low strike was well saved by Huddart.
Late into the half, Shaibu’s productive afternoon continued as he shoulder-barged Byrne off the ball and attempted to beat Lynch at the near post, but to no prevail.
The Wood: Huddart, Ilesanmi, Stephens, Murtagh, Ricketts, Fyfield, Champion, Ash, Kanu, Shields (Shakes 70’), Shaibu (Thomas 90’)
Subs Not Used: Legg, Woodards, Parry
AFC Fylde: Lynch, Francis-Angol, Byrne, Bond (Reid 74’), Birch, Bradley (Philliskirk 88’), Tunnicliffe, Croasdale, Crawford, Haughton, Rowe (Tasdemir 83’)
Subs Not Used: Hemmings, Odusina
Att: 493
Goals:
Boreham Wood: Fyfield 57’
AFC Fylde: Byrne 17’
