Boreham Wood v Chelsea XI
Tuesday 3rd August 2021, 7.30pm
Meadow Park, Pre-Season Friendly
Match Preview written by Aaron Bennis (BWFC Media Assistant)
THE CONTEXT
This Friday, Wood return to Meadow Park to host a Chelsea XI as they look to build on their impressive 5-0 victory over Kings Langley.
The Young Blues finished the 2020/21 campaign in a second-place finish in the Premier League 2 with another successful year for their development.
Wood finished their own campaign in the Vanarama National League down in 14th.
2021/22 SEASON REVIEW
THE WOOD
Coming off the back of a play-off semi final appearance, Wood finished the season 14th in the National Premier. A 12-game unbeaten run looked superb on the surface, but in reality cost them a better crack at making the play-offs with ten draws and just two wins. Their cup campaign was much more successful, however, reaching the Third Round for the first time in their history after a win over Canvey Island. Championship outfit Millwall awaited, and although the Lions ran out 2-0 winners it was still a memorable day for everyone involved.
THE YOUNG BLUES
The Young Blues came into the 2020/21 Premier League 2 season as reigning champions and will be disappointed they were unable to maintain their title. A second-place finish was on the cards this time around, losing out to Manchester City’s under-23’s by 14 points. Kicking off the season with a 1-0 victory over West Ham, Chelsea lost just three of their opening 17 games. One home defeat told the story of their season, with the other five coming away and preventing them from edging over City. This was heaven compared to their EFL Trophy campaign, however, finishing bottom of Group D with just two points. Defeats to to Oxford United and Bristol Rovers succumbed to their fate with their only win coming via a penalty shootout against Walsall. Nonetheless, it was another valuable year of development for the Young Blues.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
“THE DESTROYER”
XAVIER MBUYAMBA
A Dutch Under-19 international, Mbuyamba is a tall, athletic right-footed central defender who enjoys playing with the ball at his feet and is equally as strong in the air.
Mbuyamba joined his local team MVV Maastrict as an under-9 and progressed through the ages before signing for Barcelona in August 2019. After being watched closely by the Blues, the Dutchman made the switch and committed himself to the club until at least 2023.
After signing for the club his first season was disrupted by injury. In April 2021 after making a recovery Mbuyamba made his first outing in Blue and scored with his first touch for the club, scoring the third goal in a 3-1 win over Southampton in April 2021. There were five outings by the end of the term for Mbuyamba.
“THE PLAYMAKER”
CHARLIE WEBSTER
Charlie, originally from Broughton in Hampshire, joined the Academy as an Under-10 and is a talented, adaptable midfielder. As part of the full-time school programme, he has represented England at Under-16 level. His ability to play the role of both a deep and attacking midfielder saw Charlie appear four times for the youth team last season.
Upon his 17th birthday on January 31, Charlie signed a new Chelsea contract which runs until June 2023 – prior to the signing the midfielder had made nine appearances and scored two goals for Ed Brand’s Under-18s. At the end of the campaign, he managed to contribute four goals to Brand’s team and began making moves towards development squad football making a couple of outings for Andy Myers’ side. In total, the midfielder played in 26 Academy games during his first season in full-time football.
“THE FINISHER”
GEORGE NUNN
George Nunn is a left-sided attacking player who joined our Academy from Crewe Alexandra at the end of his Under-16 year. He was initially spotted by Chelsea’s national recruitment team and was monitored closely as someone who can play anywhere across the front three. A good mover, he is a bright and intelligent footballer with good technique. He signed his first professional contract at the club in November 2018.
Nunn enjoyed a solid first season at the club in 2018/19, making 25 appearances. The first of his nine goals of the campaign came in the season opener away at Southampton, while he also featured on three occasions for our Under-19s in the UEFA Youth League as they reached the final for the second year running. His development squad debut came as a late substitute in a 1-0 win at Derby County in February.
In January 2020 the forward signed a new contract at the Blues which keeps him at the club until the end of June 2022. Nunn recorded six goals in 26 games across the Academy teams during the 2019/20 campaign, contributing to the development squad’s Premier League 2 title.In the following season Nunn was part of the development squad after 23 outings throughout the term the forward contributed two PL2 goals.
The international stage came calling for Nunn in October 2019 when he made his Republic of Ireland Under-19s debut in a single goal defeat against Denmark.
HOW TO WATCH
MATCH TICKETS
Due to the updated government guidelines, both home and away fans are now able to enter Meadow Park to watch the game live. All tickets are encouraged to be pre-purchased, any sales taken on the day are also encouraged to be via debit/credit card.
LIVE STREAM
We will also be streaming the game on our BWFCtv Match Pass, for both home and away fans for just £7.99 which will include a pre-match show, a digital programme and the stream of the game. All profits made from our streaming will
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
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