Boreham Wood 2 – 0 Bromley
Saturday 23rd April 2022
LV Bet Stadium Meadow Park, Vanarama National League
WOOD FINALLY COME OUT VICTORIOUS
The push for the play-offs took a turn for the better as goals from Tyrone Marsh and Scott Boden saw 10th placed Boreham Wood coming out victorious over 11th placed Bromley, seeing the Wood’s winless run finally come to an end.
A positive early start from the hosts saw Marsh open the scoring in spectacular fashion, with the striker picking up the ball from a short corner a good 25 yards from goal before firing an absolute cracker into the far top corner for his first goal in ten games. The Wood continued their improved display with a number of half chances to double their lead, and they finally succeeded when Dennon Lewis powered past his man and put a cross on a plate for Boden to tap into an empty net to set the hosts on their way to a first win in 11 games.
The Wood rise to ninth as a result with the gap to the top seven remaining at eight points, and they will be keen to get straight back into action as they visit Southend United on Tuesday night with the prospect of building on this win ahead of the most crucial stage of the season.
Three changes were made from the defeat at Wealdstone last time out with the most notable seeing Nathan Ashmore return after his loan spell with Maidenhead United to make his first start since October, fresh off his two-year contract extension during the week. Other changes included Mark Ricketts and Will Evans coming back into the starting line-up, with the alterations proving far more impactful than in recent weeks.
There was a clear rise in intensity right from the off, with some nice interplay early on seeing Adrian Clifton play a lovely reverse pass into the path of Boden with just the keeper to beat, but the visitors were saved by the offside flag. It didn’t take long for the hosts to take advantage though as Marsh created an opportunity out of absolutely nothing, with his rocket of a shot leaving Ellery Balcombe stranded as it nestled into the far top corner to give the Wood the lead, whilst simultaneously ending his goal drought.
It was the hosts with all the momentum, and they will have been disappointed to not double their lead when Marsh set Jacob Mendy Mendy down the left wing with a quick free kick before the eventual cross was headed over by Clifton, although they continued to threaten with their high press nearly forcing Balcombe into a costly error six minutes later as his clearance ricocheted off Boden and behind for a goal kick as the striker looked to close him down.
Bromley struggled to break down their opponents and were limited to a couple of deep crosses floated into the box that Ashmore was able to comfortably claim. Luke Garrard had claimed in his post-match interview that the decision to drop Taye Ashby-Hammond in favour of the returning Ashmore was a hard one, however the right one, and was shown by his presence back in goal after 21 games away along with a first clean sheet in four games.
The stubbornness of the back three meant they were unable to find a way through, and with confidence flowing Marsh looked to punish them after breaking forward as he dragged a speculative effort wide from distance. A similar attempt shortly after saw Mendy Mendy pounce on a loose ball and fire a low drive that Balcombe had to push wide, with Boden being unable to meet the rebound before the Bromley stopper collapsed on the ball with the clock ticking into the last ten minutes of the first half, which saw the Wood remain comfortable going into the break.
HT: Boreham Wood 1 – 0 Bromley
The second half got underway with two dramatic moments straight after the interval, with Lewis beating his man and clipping a cross towards the back post with Chris Bush’s diving header proving to be a goal-saving clearance with Marsh waiting behind him to tap home, before the visitors went up the other end minutes later with Jamal Fyfield making perhaps a more important intervention, clearing Michael Cheek’s shot off the line with Ashmore in no man’s land and the entire goal to aim at, before Liam Trotter was unable to keep the rebound on target as he nodded his header wide.
Bromley were once again denied a moment’s rest from the hosts as Mendy Mendy had two strikes in quick succession saved by Balcombe and blocked by the defender with Marsh’s rebound from a tight angle deflected out for a corner at the near post, with Ricketts hitting another effort from distance off target three minutes later.
The visitors began to grow into the game during the final half-hour though with more control over possession, although clear cut chances continued to remain at a premium due to the resilience of the Wood’s defence, and they soon paid the price. The Wood doubled their lead with 18 minutes to go as Lewis’ fierce run into the box saw him deliver a cross towards the back post where Boden was waiting to tap into the roof of the empty net, much to the euphoria of the elated home support.
Indeed, this would prove enough to bring the winless streak to an end, with the hosts remaining resolute even into the seven minutes of added time at the end of the game. With Marsh having one final attempt to test Balcombe with his powerful shot going straight down his throat, there was just enough time for substitute James Alabi to stand a cross up towards the far post for Cheek, who’s header was comfortably kept out by Ashmore’s low save.
This result was never in doubt though, and comes at an important time of the season with just six games remaining. The Wood have risen from the dead, with their play-off hopes remaining alive for a little bit longer. Just maybe their luck is beginning to turn.
FT: Boreham Wood 2 – 0 Bromley
Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Evans, Stephans, Fyfield, Lewis, Ricketts, Mafuta (Comley 79’), Mendy Mendy, Marsh, Boden, Clifton (Orsi 87’).
Subs not used: Ashby-Hammond, Reckord, Smith.
Bromley: Balcombe, Partington, Cawley, Bush, Arthurs (Coulson 45’), Trotter (Wagstaff 68’), Bingham, Vennings, Whitley, Al-Hamadi (Alabi 45’), Cheek.
Subs not used: Webster, Parsons.
Star Man: Tyrone Marsh
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