MATCH PREVIEW – WEALDSTONE (A)

Tomorrow evening, Wood travel to Grosvenor Vale where we match up against National League newcomers Wealdstone.

In their recent fixture, Wealdstone were on the wrong end of a 4-1 thrashing against play-off candidates Wrexham.

Whereas Wood’s previous fixture was against a strong Solihull Moors side and a 2-2 draw saw our unbeaten run extended to three games.

THE FORM GUIDE

THE WOOD

Previous six games (in all competitions): –

Solihull Moors (H) | VNL |  2-2 D  
Bromley (H) | VNL |  1-1 D 
Altrincham (A) | VNL |  2-3 W  
Yeovil Town (H) | VNL |  2-3 L   
Sutton United (A) | VNL |  2-0 L 
Maidenhead United (A) | VNL | 0 -1 W

In our most recent fixture, Wood hosted Solihull Moors and the points were shared after the game finished 2-2 at Meadow Park.

The game started in a terrible manner on the Wood’s behalf after the Moors took the lead in the opening minute when Alex Gudger headed home Sam Gleeson’s free kick. From there on in, Wood controlled the first half and had many chances to break to deadlock, but Ryan Boot made some emphatic saves to keep his side in the lead.

However, in the 40^th minute Wood got their goal after Jamal Fyfield was brought down in the penalty area and Kabongo Tshimanga converted from the spot. Wood’s dominance paid further dividends in the 54^th when Junior Morias opened his account for the season after he finished well past Boot in the Solihull net.

Adam Rooney converted from the penalty spot just six minutes later to make the scores level after Nathan Cameron was brought down by Kane Smith inside the penalty area.

The remainder of the match was an open affair with both sides looking like they could grab a winner, but the score remained level and the points were shared.

Wood Gaffer Luke Garrard was pleased with the performance from his side and described it as one of the “best we have played this season”.

THE STONES

Previous six games (in all competitions): –

Wrexham (A) | VNL | 4-1 L
Eeastleigh (H) | VNL | 0-0 D
Sutton United (A) | VNL | 4-1 L
Torquay United (A) | VNL | 1-1 D
Darlington  (A) | FAT | 4-1 L
Altrincham (A) | VNL | 2-0 L

Wealdstone come into this fixture off the back of a 4-1 on the road defeat against Wrexham in the Vanarama National League on Saturday.

The Stones have experienced a dip in form since the turn of the year and are without a win in their previous seven matches, in all competitions.

After coming up from the National League South last campaign, the Stones have struggled defensively this season and have the second worst defensive record in the division, conceding 48 goals.

The forthcoming fixtures could be a telling of how the Stones’ season will prevail as they face Dover Athletic and Kings Lynn Town in the upcoming weeks, both sides sit below them in the relegation places.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

“THE DESTROYER”

JEROME OKIMO

Jerome Okimo started his senior career with Isthmian South side Chalfont St. Peter AFC where he spent seven years, making over 300 appearances.

The Central Defender then made the switch to Wealdstone in 2013 and played a vital role in the Stones’ promotion to the Conference South the following season.

Okimo then moved on to Stevenage in 2014 where he spent two seasons before signing for National League side Braintree Town.

After just one campaign with Braintree, Okimo put pen to paper and re-signed for the Stones in 2017 and has made over 120 appearances since.

“THE PLAYMAKER

CONNOR SMITH

Connor Smith was part of the 2010 TV show ‘Footballer’s Next Star’, and later that year he joined the academy set-up at Watford.

The following season, Smith was loaned out to Wealdstone and a the following season he signed his first professional contract with the Hornets.

Smith spent time on loan with Gillingham and Stevenage in the Football League before departing Vicarage Road in 2016 where he signed with Plymouth Argyle.

The central midfielder spent one season with Plymouth and helped them earn promotion to League One before he signed for League Two outfit Yeovil Town.

In 2018, Smith joined us at Meadow Park but only spent half of the 2018/19 campaign with Wood before he joined Billericay Town.

Smith then joined the Stones at the start of the 2019/20 campaign and has featured 39 times since joining, including 20 appearances this season.

“THE FINISHER

DENNON LEWIS

Dennon Lewis came through the youth academy with Watford and was awarded with his first professional deal in 2015.

Lewis then joined National League outfit Woking on loan in 2016 and featured 27 times for the Cardinals scoring 6 goals.

The Forward then left Watford in 2018 due to his contract expiring and signed for Scottish Championship side Falkirk but soon after left the club due to personal reasons.

Following his departure from Falkirk, Lewis signed for National League side Bromley but after making just six appearances he signed for Wealdstone. Since he joined the Stones, Lewis has been a mainstay in the side scoring vital goals in last seasons promotion campaign.

LAST TIME WE MET

Wealdstone 0-1 Boreham Wood
Saturday 21^st March 2015
Grosvenor Vale, Vanarama Conference South

Our most recent meeting with the Stones came over five seasons ago, where Wood managed to come home from Grosvenor Vale with all three points.

Ricky Shakes was the only scorer which came on the brink of half time, and despite the pressure from the hosts in the second half, the Wood backline held strong to secure the victory.

PRE MATCH WORDS

STAY HOME, STAY SAFE

LIVE STREAM

Unfortunately, no fans will be allowed to attend this fixture, however, you can watch the game live by purchasing Wealdstone’s live stream.

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LIVE UPDATES

Alternatively, you can keep up with the action via our Twitter and Instagram pages, where there will be regular updates throughout the course of the match.

Instagram: @boreham_woodfc
Twitter: @boreham_woodfc

OUR CLUB. OUR TOWN. OUR COMMUNITY.

Match Preview written by Joe Karadzas (Press Assistant)