The Wood continue their pre-season campaign this Tuesday, July 31 (7.30pm), when they welcome Crystal Palace to Meadow Park. Here’s our preview…
Match Details
Tickets will be available to purchase on the gates, on the day of the game. Ticket prices are as follows: Adults £15; OAPS £12, under 16’s £6 and under 5’s are free. These prices are to sit, or stand. The West and East stands are seated, and the North and South stands are standing.
If Boreham Wood supporters have already collected their season tickets, then they will be valid for the match against Palace.
The match will not be segregated, and the nearest public car park is stationed in Brook Road and adjacent to stadium.
Team News
The match will be Boreham Wood’s final pre-season friendly, and Luke Garrard has no injury worries ahead of the tie.
The Boreham Wood manager will be looking to finalise his squad ahead of the new campaign, which is now under a week away.
Form Guide
The Wood put on a dominant performance against a strong AFC Wimbledon side at Meadow Park last time out. They drew 0-0 against the League One outfit and were arguably the better of the two sides.
The Dons’ struggled to deal with the Wood’s power and pace in the attacking areas, while defensively, they weren’t able to find a way past the Wood’s imposing backline.
There was a debut for new goalkeeper Ryan Huddart, who impressed in goal for Boreham Wood.
PASE Academy graduate Sorba Thomas retained his place in the eleven and this time joined Morgan Ferrier upfront. He will be hoping for further minutes against Palace.
Managed by former England boss Roy Hodgson, Crystal Palace finished 11th in the Premier League last time out, following another strong season in the top flight.
The Eagles have an incredibly strong squad at their disposal, with the likes of Wilfred Zaha, Christian Benteke, Yohan Cabaye, Andros Townsend and Mamadou Sakha just a few of the star names that could feature.
As such, the prestigious tie should prove to be an exciting affair for Garrard and his team.
One to Watch – Wilfred Zaha
An Ivory Coast international, Wilfred Zaha has been courted by a number of the Premier League’s biggest teams this transfer window.
Once of Manchester United, Zaha enjoyed arguably his best campaign in the Premier League last year.
A skilful winger with bags of pace and more than a few tricks up his sleeve, Zaha could provide the Wood’s defence with one of their biggest challenges this pre-season, if he plays a part.
From the Dugout – Luke Garrard
“To play against another Premier League side will be good work. I have got to be sensible in terms of utilizing the squad and where we go with that, but in fairness, they will have had a day off on Sunday and they will be coming into work and be put through their paces again.
“We will look forward to the Tuesday game and it will dictate what happens during the back end of the week, gearing up to Dagenham.
“To have a Crystal Palace side who are in the Premier League can’t be anything but positive.
“I have created scenarios for the group in terms of pushing them, because I want them fitter and stronger than we were last year, and I honestly believe that we are coming out of the back of that.
“I know that come October/November/December, that baseline that we have given them in the last four weeks will come to the fore.
“I honestly believe that we will get stronger as a group and our organisation will get better. For me, the AFC Wimbledon game was very pleasing, because we started to implement a lot of the work that I want.
“I am seeing the progression of the likes of Manny Parry, Femi Ilesanmi and Jamal Fyfield, and overall, I am very happy.”
