MATCH REPORT – EASTLEIGH (A)

GOOD POINT ON THE ROAD

Eastleigh 1 – 1 Boreham Wood
Saturday 2^nd October 5:20pm
Silverlake Stadium, Vanarama National League

In a tight well-contested match in treacherous wet conditions in Hampshire, a Scott Boden penalty cancelled out a Harry Pritchard strike with both goals coming in just three minutes.

Luke Garrard once again named an unchanged starting line up for the eight consecutive Vanarama National League match. Wood started brightly but were ultimately second best in the first half. Tyrone Marsh had the game’s first chance on ten minutes by striking his effort wide of the post. Soon after, a Frankie Raymond pass found Jacob Mendy Mendy whose shot was saved by Joe McDonnell in the Spitfires goal. The home side then started to dominate proceedings. Joe Low’s header was well saved by Nathan Ashmore on twenty minutes. Five minutes later an excellent strike from Harry Pritchard strike Ashmore’s post. On the half hour mark, Eastleigh took the lead. An excellent pass from Ryan Hill picked out Pritchard, who shot from twenty-five yards out was too powerful for Ashmore despite him getting both hands to it. Three minutes later Boreham Wood got some luck when a Marsh shot, struck the hands of a Spitfires defender and referee Steven Copeland had no option but to point to the penalty spot. Scott Boden then dispatched the spot kick by sending McDonnell the wrong way.

Eastleigh had the first chance of the second period when Andrew Boyce’s header was well saved by Ashmore. Soon afterwards, Ben House placed a similar header wide of the Wood goal. Ashmore then saved a long range effort from Michael Kelly before Ryan Hill struck a volley just wide for the hosts. As the match was reaching its closing stages Wood started to create chances. Marsh struck a shot just wide before an excellent move involving Marsh and Mendy Mendy resulted in the former Wealdstone player shooting just wide. Sooner afterwards, some lovely link up play between Marsh and Boden resulted in a shooting opportunity for Marsh who was denied by an Eastleigh defender. Eastleigh had a final effort in injury time when Danny Hollands shot just wide.

For the most part, the quality of play was dictated to by the weather although the second half was a much better game. Luke Garrard will be pleased with the point on the road as Eastleigh had most of the play. However the dogged determination of the Boreham Wood players ensured they held on for a point in a match that they’d have lost last season.

Eastleigh: McDonnell, Hare, Kelly, Boyce, Pritchard, Hill, Low, Whitehall (Barnett 76), House, Hollands, Whelan.

Subs: Smart, Hesketh, Maghoma, Harper.

Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Ilesamni, Evans, Fyfield, Mendy Mendy, K Smith, Ricketts, Rees (C Smith 59), Raymond (Mafuta 53), Boden, Marsh (Clifton 89).

Subs: Stephens, Munns.

Star Man: Kane Smith.

Match report written by Wood Army member Brett Lewis.