They made hard work of it, but Boreham Wood did just enough to secure a vital win against Aveley, thanks to a first-half goal from Erico Sousa. The result keeps their hopes of automatic promotion alive.

Luke Garrard made three changes from Tuesday night’s defeat at Truro City, with the fit-again Callum Reynolds replacing Chris Bush at centre-back, Erico Sousa coming in for Jayden Richardson at right wing-back, and skipper Jack Payne returning to the starting line-up in place of Mo Sagaf in midfield.

Boreham Wood dominated possession early on, with Sousa at the heart of most attacking moves. He forced Millers’ keeper James Holden into a good save after five minutes. Seven minutes later, a Sousa cross fell to top scorer Kwesi Appiah, but he headed over the bar. In the 14th minute, Sousa played in Jon Benton, but his weak effort was easily gathered by Holden. Wood took a deserved lead in the 23rd minute when a Femi Ilesanmi cross was powerfully headed in by Sousa.

Just before the half-hour mark, the visitors had their first effort on goal when David Kawa crossed for Luke Holness, who headed wide of Nathan Ashmore’s goal. Wood continued to press for a second, and in the 42nd minute, a Whelan corner was headed just over by Josh Hare.

HT: Boreham Wood 1-0 Aveley

Wood remained in the ascendancy at the start of the second half, forcing three corners in quick succession. Matt Rush went close three minutes after the restart, but the ball got tangled in his feet. In the 51st minute, Payne fired wide when well placed. Two minutes later, a brilliant run by Abdul Abdulmalik created a chance for Appiah, who shot just wide. In the 62nd minute, Abdulmalik’s shot from the edge of the area was deflected wide. Soon after, a Hare cross was headed goalwards by Rush, but Holden did well to keep it out.

Abdulmalik was causing problems for the Millers’ defence, and in the 66th minute, his cross found Benton. Benton’s initial effort was blocked on the line, and when the ball came back to him, he fired wide. Wood continued to apply pressure, but with only a one-goal lead, they had to stay alert. Sousa forced Holden into a good save in the 74th minute. Two minutes later, a David Hicks corner was headed over by Brooklyn Kabongolo. Abdulmalik then went on another strong run before firing straight at Holden.

Aveley were still in the game, and in the 80th minute, Tyrese Owen had a great chance but fired straight at Ashmore. In the 88th minute, Benton forced Holden into another save. The visitors piled on late pressure, and Hicks had a chance just before the final whistle but couldn’t connect properly.

FT: Boreham Wood 1-0 Aveley

It was a hard-fought win for Boreham Wood and a much-needed three points in their promotion push. Luke Garrard will want his team to follow this up on Tuesday night against Farnborough, the first of nine “cup finals” remaining in their season.

Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Sousa, Ilesanmi (Abdulmalik 38), Reynolds, O’Connell, Hare, Payne, Whelan (Sagaf 86), Benton (Agbontohoma 90+2), Rush (Dixon 83), Appiah.

Subs not used: Clayden.

Aveley: Holden, Ring, Leahy, Kabongolo, MacDowell (Brown 81), Beadle, Uche, Owen (Leathers 81), Hicks, Kawa (Madia 51 / Lewis 60), Holness.

Man of the Match: Erico Sousa.

Match report written by Brett Lewis.