A late Kwesi Appiah goal gave Boreham Wood a vital three points and their first away win in the Vanarama National League South in two months.

Luke Garrard made one change from last Saturday’s draw against Torquay United, with Femi Ilesanmi coming in at left wing-back to replace Charles Clayden.

After a quiet opening, Wood created a good chance on nine minutes when an excellent Jon Benton pass picked out Jayden Richardson, who laid it back to Kwesi Appiah, whose shot was blocked. From the resulting Tom Whelan corner, Appiah made no mistake with a header, giving Romans keeper Harvey Wiles-Richards no chance and putting Boreham Wood in the lead. Two minutes later, Whelan fired wide when well-placed. Wood continued to dominate proceedings for the next part of the game, with Benton at the centre of much of their good work.

A lack of concentration at the back for Boreham Wood nearly led to a Bath equaliser on 22 minutes when a Dan Greenslade pass picked out Luke Russe, who chipped Nathan Ashmore, but it went just wide. This was the catalyst for a good spell by the hosts, who then forced a succession of corners before Ashmore pulled off an excellent save from a deflected Ben Seymour shot on 28 minutes. Two minutes later, the Romans got their equaliser from a fiercely struck free kick by Jordan Alves.

Just before the break, Boreham Wood regained their composure, and on 42 minutes, a Richardson cross just needed a touch from one of the Wood forwards in the area. Just before the interval, Wood had a golden opportunity to retake the lead when Lee Ndlovu laid the ball back to Benton, who somehow missed with the goal gaping. During first-half stoppage time, Ilesanmi headed just over the bar from a Richardson cross.

HT: Bath City 1-1 Boreham Wood

Wood came out for the second half with real purpose and dominated in terms of possession, even though clear-cut chances were few and far between. The outstanding Benton played a delightful pass to Ndlovu in the 53rd minute, but keeper Wiles-Richards was able to gather the ball just as Ndlovu was about to shoot. 12 minutes later, a Whelan pass was headed just over by Appiah. In a rare second-half attack, the hosts had a good chance on 69 minutes, but Greenslade fired wide. Wood stepped up a gear with the introduction of Junior Dixon and Abdul Abdulmalik from the bench, and the Romans couldn’t live with them.

On 83 minutes, following some good approach play from the two subs, Whelan had a really good chance but was denied by a fantastic save from Wiles-Richards. It was on the back of that save that the Bath City tannoy announced the Romans stopper as man of the match! Wood continued to bang on the door and got their reward with a deserved winner in the first minute of added time. A delicious backheel from Dixon played in Abdulmalik, whose inch-perfect cross was turned in by Appiah for his second. There was a joint celebration between players and supporters as this was a crucial three points.

FT: Bath City 1-2 Boreham Wood

It was a very good win for Luke Garrard’s men, and hopefully, the last-minute winner and what it meant will galvanise the squad for the coming fixtures. With Chelmsford City away in just two days’ time, a follow-up win would be important to get back into the playoff places.

Bath City: Wiles-Richards, Raynes (Lawrence 90), Greenslade, Batten (Anthony 65), Parselle, Wilson, Tillson, Russe (Frear 90), Alves, Seymour (Humphreys-Ewers 80), Tomlinson.

Subs not used: Sardo.

Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Richardson, Ilesanmi (Abdulmalik 75), Bush, O’Connell, Hare, Payne, Whelan, Benton (Agbontohoma 90), Ndlovu (Dixon 67), Appiah.

Subs not used: Sagaf, Marsh.

Player of the Match: Kwesi Appiah.

Match report written by Brett Lewis.