Boreham Wood v Torquay United
Tuesday 5th October 2021, 7.45pm
LV Bet Stadium Meadow Park, National Premier
Match Preview written by Aaron Bennis (BWFC Media Assistant)
THE CONTEXT
This Tuesday, Wood are back at Meadow Park as they host Torquay United.
The Gulls have improved in recent weeks with a 5-0 thumping of Wealdstone last time out, and sit 13th with three wins, two draws and four defeats.
Wood sit fourth following Saturday’s televised draw with Eastleigh, and will be keen to keep their good run of form going to leapfrog Grimsby Town at the top.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
“THE DESTROYER”
ASA HALL
Midfielder Asa Hall became the first United captain in over 90 years to lift a championship trophy, following the 2018/19 National League South title success. Standing at 34 years of age, the veteran brings a wealth of experience having made over 300 appearances for numerous teams, including Luton Town, Oxford United, Shrewsbury Town, Cheltenham Town and Barrow. He began his career in the youth team of Wolverhampton Wanderers but moved to Birmingham City, where he signed his professional contract at the age of 17. Within a year he would be a regular in the reserves, before playing for both the England under-18’s and under-20’s as well as being named Birmingham’s Young Player of the Year. He would gain valuable experience out on loan with Boston United, Ashford Town and Shrewsbury Town before being released by the Blues in May 2008. Hall would go on to achieve great success in the lower leagues, signing for Luton Town and helping the Hatters reach the 2009 Football League Trophy Final. After leaving Luton, he arrived at Oxford for a two-year spell before re-joining Shrewsbury Town on a permanent basis. Loan spells with Aldershot Town and Oxford United preceded a move to Cheltenham Town where he linked up with Gary Johnson for the first time, and was part of the squad that earned the Robins a return to the Football League in 2016, prior to being reunited with his former manager in 2018. He started in the 2017 FA Youth Trophy Final whilst on loan at York City, and after being released by Cheltenham spent a season at Barrow prior to his move to Torquay. He helped steer United towards the National League South summit in his first season, and was rewarded for his performance by being named in the 2018/19 National League South Team of the Season.
“THE PLAYMAKER”
ARMANI LITTLE
A Southampton academy graduate, midfielder Armani Little spent nine years at St Mary’s having joined at the age of 12. Upon being released in 2018 after just a handful of appearances in the Checkatrade Trophy for the club’s youth team, he joined Oxford United but found greater success out on loan. His cultured performances over two stints at Woking proved to be the platform he needed to make his mark, helping to steer the club towards promotion. Prior to his contract expiry at Oxford, Little signed a pre-contract agreement with United, and made his debut against the Wood in August 2019.
“THE FINISHER”
CONNOR LEMONHEIGH-EVANS
After spending eight years at Bristol City, Connor Leomheigh-Evans joined United on a permanent basis in the summer of 2020 following three separate loan stints at Plainmoor. He made his Robins’ debut in a 3-0 FA Cup Third Round defeat to Watford in what would prove to be his only performance for the club, and had previously spent a brief period on loan at Bath City in 2017. He arrived at Torquay initially at the start of 2018 in a deal that would be extended multiple times over the next three seasons, and was part of the teams that were relegated to the National South and promoted back to the National Premier, as well as starting in the National League play-off final defeat to Hartlepool United last season.
LAST TIME WE MET
Boreham Wood 0-0 Torquay United
Saturday 13th March 2021
LV Bet Stadium Meadow Park, National League
Torquay United’s promotion hopes were halted as they were held to a scoreless draw by Boreham Wood.
The visitors started the strongest with a number of warning signs throughout the opening stages, and despite playing some delightful football they lacked that bit of sharpness in the final third to take advantage. With this in mind, the Wood would keen to catch their opponents out and had the first meaningful chance of the match when Kabongo Tshimanga found space inside the box to have an effort on goal, being deflected wide of the far post. United refused to go behind and had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock midway through the first half, when they were awarded a penalty after Gus Mafuta bundled over Armani Little. However, Nathan Ashmore was on hand to spare his blushes with a fine save to deny Asa Hall from the spot. Gary Johnson’s men continued to have the bulk of the possession, but were unable to find a way past the Wood’s stubborn defence and went into the interval level. The hosts grew into it in the second half in a more entertaining and end-to-end affair. Ben Whitfield had two snap-shots just after the restart before the ball broke quickly down the other end, with Corey Whitley going close himself. This summed up the second half, and although there continued to be brilliant opportunities to take the lead for both sides, a tough battle in front of the BT Sport cameras ended in a stalemate.
PRE MATCH WORDS
HOW TO WATCH
MATCH TICKETS
All spectators are encouraged to pre-purchase their match tickets to avoid queuing and congestion upon entry into the ground. Tickets are also available to be purchased on the day via cash and debit/credit card.
Home supporters purchasing match tickets on the day should go to the club’s ticket office located in the main club car park, whereas visiting supporters can purchase match tickets on the day from their designated turnstiles.
Home Tickets (General Sale) – Click Here.
Home Tickets (Black Card Members) – Click Here.
Away Tickets (General Sale) – Click Here.
LIVE UPDATES
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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