A first-half penalty save from Nathan Ashmore and three second-half goals in five minutes were enough to give Boreham Wood a comprehensive 3-0 win against promotion rivals Eastbourne Borough and get their promotion push back on track.
Luke Garrard made one change from Tuesday’s defeat at Hornchurch, with David Agbontohoma replacing the injured Gus Mafuta.
The visitors had the better of the first half opening and created the first opportunity after four minutes. A David Sesay cross was headed over by George Alexander when well placed. On 18 minutes, a lofted ball from David Agbontohoma picked out Jayden Richardson, who in turn played in Mo Sagaf, who fired wide with a first-time shot. Three minutes later, Yahaya Bamber fired wide for the visitors. On 28 minutes, Courtney Clarke was off target for Eastbourne. Two minutes later, Femi Ilesanmi shot from distance but straight at Sports keeper Joe Wright.
On 33 minutes, the Sports were awarded a penalty when Kwesi Appiah handballed it in the area. Alexander stepped up to take it, but Nathan Ashmore pulled off an outstanding save to deny him and keep the score level. This lifted Boreham Wood, who then went on to enjoy their best spell of the half and dominated the game thereafter. On 37 minutes, an excellent cross from Matt Rush would have been a tap-in for Appiah, but for an excellent interception from Kai Woollard-Innocent, which denied him. Three minutes later, some excellent interplay between Jon Benton and Appiah created a chance for Benton, whose shot was saved by the feet of Wright in the Sports goal. Despite nine corners and the lion’s share of possession for Eastbourne, Wood were able to come into the break level.
HT: Boreham Wood 0-0 Eastbourne Borough
Wood came out for the second half with the bit between their teeth, but it was David Sesay who had two good chances for the visitors early in the half, firing over the bar twice when well placed. He was instantly made to pay for those misses when Boreham Wood scored three times in a five-minute spell. They took the lead on 53 minutes when a Benton cross was turned in by top scorer Appiah for his 21st league goal of the season. A minute later, Appiah nearly made it two but was just off target with a header from a Tom Whelan corner. Wood added a second though on 56 minutes when Rush chipped Wright from outside the area. Appiah added a third two minutes later with a nice finish, securing his 22nd league goal.
On 65 minutes, Rush was denied by a good save from Wright. Five minutes later, a lovely one-two between Erico Sousa and Appiah ended with Sousa being denied by Wright at his near post. On 77 minutes, Appiah had a great chance to complete his hat-trick when he was one-on-one with keeper Wright. However, the Sports stopper made an excellent save. The visitors went close to pulling one back on 83 minutes, but Moussa Diarra was off target with a header. In the last minute of normal time, Sousa tried to curl it around the goalkeeper but struck it wide. In the final minute of stoppage time, Ashmore pulled off an excellent save to deny Courtney Clarke, whose shot seemed to be heading for the top corner.
FT: Boreham Wood 3-0 Eastbourne Borough
It was a vital three points for Luke Garrard’s men to get their promotion hopes back on track. With a free week and St Albans away next Saturday, Wood have it all to play for.
Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Richardson, Ilesanmi (Sousa 68), Agbontohoma, O’Connell, Yarney, Sagaf, Whelan, Benton (Marsh 85), Rush (Dixon 79), Appiah (Abdulmalik 90+2).
Subs not used: Clayden.
Eastbourne Borough: Wright, Bamba (Shamalo 61), Adigun (Klass 77), Carter, Innocent, Kensdale, Anifowosa (J. Clarke 61), Odusanya, Sesay (Diarra 63), C Clarke, Alexander (Pavey 61).
Subs not used:
Man of the Match: Kwesi Appiah.
Match report written by Brett Lewis.
