WOOD LOSE DESPITE BRAVE FIGHTBACK
Boreham Wood v Yeovil Town
Tuesday 16th February 2021, 7.45pm
Meadow Park, Vanarama National League
Boreham Wood succumb to their second defeat in a row in this classic at Meadow Park where a hugely disappointing first half was followed by an excellent second half performance but in the end the 3-0 half time deficit proved too much of a mountain to climb.
Boreham Wood made two changes following their 2-0 defeat at Sutton United on Saturday. Matt Rhead came in for Junior Morias and Corey Whitely started instead of Zaine Francis-Angol.
It was the away side who dominated the first half and really put Boreham Wood to the sword. They took the lead after fifteen minutes when after some excellent footwork, Rhys Murphy struck a sweet shot past Nathan Ashmore in the Boreham Wood goal. Either side of the goal, Kabs Tshimanga had a couple of half chances for Wood but he was ultimately denied by some resolute Yeovil defending. Murphy was then denied by Ashmore.
After thirty-four minutes, The Glovers doubled their advantage. Following an excellent run by the dangerous Josh Neufville, the forward was brought down in front of Nathan Ashmore and Reuben Reid made no mistake from the penalty spot. On forty-two minutes Neufville was again causing havoc in the Wood defence and his deflected effort went in off the post to send The Glovers into the break 3-0 up.
Following what would have been a tongue lashing from Luke Garrard, the Wood players came out in the second half rejuvenated. They were quickly on the front foot and won a penalty on forty-six minutes. Tshimanga who missed from the spot against Maidenhead ten days earlier, made no mistake this time. A couple of minutes later, Kane Smith’s shot deflected narrowly wide of Adam Smith’s goal when it looked as though it was heading in. Wood started to turn the screw and there was some excellent interplay between Corey Whitely, Gus Mafuta and Kane Smith. Left wing back, Whitely didn’t give the Yeovil defence a minute’s peace in the second half and most of Wood’s good play came down his side.
On seventy-eight minutes a fantastic run from Jamal Fyfield resulted in the defender being fouled just outside the Yeovil penalty area. Gus Mafuta then struck a rocket of a free kick to bring the score back to 3-2. With Boreham Wood now with the bit between their teeth, it looked like a matter of time before they equalised. However, it was the away side who had the next significant chance. Former Wood player Joe Quigley nearly wrapped the game up but was denied by Nathan Ashmore when clean through. On eighty-five minutes Wood really should have equalised. Kabs Tshimanga’s effort hit the underside of the crossbar before somehow Femi Ilesamni skyed his shot from three yards out. Sadly, this was Boreham Wood’s last chance to salvage a point.
Unfortunately for Boreham Wood, they were undone by their poor first half performance and despite a spirited comeback, they had left themselves with too much to do to turn it around. I’m sure Luke Garrard can take heart from Wood’s second half performance.
Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Smith, Fyfield, Pearce, Ilesamni, Whitely, Murtagh, Mafuta, Rhead (Morias 39), Tshimanga, Marsh
Subs not used: Huddart, Woodards, Stephens, Coulthirst
Yeovil Town: A. Smith, Dickinson, Murphy, J. Smith, Skendi, Knowles, Neufville (Worthington 54), Hunt, Bradley, Reid (Quigley 80), Sass-Davies (Dagnall 65)
Subs not used: Warburton, Kelly.
Man of the Match: Corey Whitely.
Match report written by Brett Lewis (Non-League Paper & Wood Army member)
