Blue Square Bet South
Boreham Wood 2 Welling United 1
by John D. Gill
Boreham Wood had a timely return to form with a magnificent and deserved 2 – 1 home victory against Welling United, current leaders of the Blue Square Bet South, on Monday evening.
Wood Manager Ian Allinson gave a First Team debut to wing forward Nathan Koranteng, an eighteen year old Loan signing from Woking, recalled Daniel Brathwaite at left back for his one hundredth First Team appearance, and included Darren Currie and Justin Cochrane, named as Captain on the day, in midfield.
Michael Jordan was soon in action, and after only six minutes he was forced to make two saves to keep out shots from Andy Pugh and Zac Attwood. Luis Cumbers then broke through and passed to Andy Pugh, but his shot went wide of the goal.
Wood retaliated and with their first real attack in the twelfth minute the lively David Bryant was fouled by central defender Ben Martin. Darren Currie stepped forward and easily beat Dan Thomas from the penalty spot.
Welling continued to create opportunities with their attacking play, but the Wood defence was in superb form and kept them out. A Joe Healy header went wide of goal and then an Andy Pugh shot from close range curled high over the crossbar.
Wood survived a spell of pressure midway through the half when Sam Lechmere cleared off the line to deny Lee Clarke and then a Luis Cumbers shot was blocked. Healy then presented Cumbers with another good chance but the striker shot over the crossbar.
Wood went onto the attack after thirty-eight minutes and Charlie Hunter crossed from the right, Darren Currie passed the ball on to Nathan Koranteng, but his shot at goal went just wide of the far post. Then Justin Cochrane split the Welling defence with a through ball to Sam Lechmere, he raced forward and got in a good goal bound shot but Dan Thomas dived and saved well.
Welling, whose finishing in front of goal had been very poor, substituted highly rated Loick Pires for the ineffective Andy Pugh after forty-seven minutes. However, it was Boreham Wood who increased their lead after fifty-five minutes, with another penalty. Daniel Brathwaite played a long ball forward for David Bryant to chase, but goalkeeper Dan Thomas clattered the Wood forward to the ground in the penalty area and was shown a yellow card. Darren Currie then proceeded to score his second penalty of the match and make the score 2 – 0.
Wood’s second half performance showed a lot more confidence and composure. Darren Currie, having his best game in a Wood shirt, then missed the chance to complete his hat-trick as he ran forward and controlled a Michael Jordan clearance before shooting wide of the goal. Jordanthen did well to keep out a Jack Obersteller free kick at the far post.
Welling finally pulled a goal back after seventy minutes when Joe Healy crossed from the left and the unmarked Ben Martin headed the ball past Jordan at the near post. Spurred on by the goal Welling searched for an equaliser and put pressure on the Wood defence, but it was all to no avail.
The game ended with a Chez Isaac shot wide of goal and a brilliant save by Thomas to prevent Sam Lechmere from scoring. Meanwhile at the other endJordanalso made a brilliant save to keep out a Loick Pires close range shot.
Team: Jordan, Hunter, Brathwaite, Cochrane, O’Loughlin, Wilkinson, Lechmere (Sub – Ruddock 90 mins.), Isaac, Bryant, Currie, Koranteng (Sub – Effiong 78 mins.).
Subs (Not used): Akinola, Beckford, Yala.
Bookings: Brathwaite, Effiong.
Goals: Boreham Wood: Currie 12 pen. 55 pen. Welling United: Martin 70.
Wood Man of The Match: Michael Jordan.
