MATCH REPORT: OXFORD CITY (A)

Oxford City 4-0 Boreham Wood
RAW Charging Stadium
28th August 3.00pm, Vanarama National League

After a very good first half, a second half horror show condemned Boreham Wood to a 4-0 defeat against recently promoted Oxford City. Luke Garrard named an unchanged line up Saturday’s goalless draw against Oldham Athletic with none of the injured players available for selection. 

There was no indication of what was to come as Boreham Wood dominated proceedings in the first half but crucially, were unable to convert any of their chances into goals.  Lee Ndlovu went close on six minutes, but he was unable to place his header from a Tyrone Marsh’s cross on target. A minute later Ndlovu’s shot beat Hoops keeper Chris Haigh but somehow Canice Carroll got back to clear it off the line. Four minutes later Tom Whelan hit the wall with a freekick just outside the penalty area. On sixteen minutes, the host had their first chance when Olly Sanderson raced clear of the Boreham Wood defence, only to shoot over the crossbar. 

On twenty-seven minutes, after a flowing Boreham Wood move, Tom Whelan’s mishit shot was turned in by Ndlovu but for the second game running, a linesman flagged for offside when he put the ball in the net. A minute later, a mishit back pass, fell into the path of Kwesi Appiah but his shot from a tight angle, could only find the side netting. On thirty-three minutes, Marsh shot straight at Haigh in the City goal. Three minutes later, an excellent Cameron Coxe cross was flicked just over by Appiah. Ndlovu had a good chance on forty minutes but was unable to keep his header down. Just before the break, a teasing free kick from City’s Josh Ashby was parried by Ashmore before Chris Bush managed to clear the ball away from any danger.   

HALF TIME: OXFORD CITY 0-0 BOREHAM WOOD

The first period of the second half was quiet. Boreham Wood seemed leggy after a very good first half and didn’t get going. The host on the other hand, started to take the initiative and control possession, though at this stage, were unable to create anything of note. That all changed on sixty-five minutes when a thirty-yard piledriver from Nya Kirby gave the Hoops an unexpected lead. Suddenly, the hosts smelt blood and piled forward to try and get a second. Josh Parker nearly did, two minutes later but dragged his shot wide. On seventy-five minutes, City deservedly doubled their lead, when following some hesitation in the Wood defence, Josh Parker finished well. Five minutes later, Olly Sanderson made it three with a good finish, again, the Wood defence was caught napping. Six minutes later, Zach McEachran, just on as a substitute completed the scoring to make it four. By this stage, many of the Boreham Wood travelling support had seen enough and headed for the bar. After six minutes of added time, referee James Durkin blew up to confirm Oxford City’s first victory in the Vanarama National League and Boreham Wood’s second defeat of the season. 

 It was a bad day at the office for Boreham Wood. After a very good first half, they capitulated after the break and were well beaten in the end. With our local rivals Barnet coming to Meadow Park on Saturday, Luke Garrard will want to see a reaction from his side and some of his injured players back. 

FULL TIME: OXFORD CITY 4-0 BOREHAM WOOD

By Brett Lewis

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