Two goals from Matt Rush and one from Kwesi Appiah were enough to put Boreham Wood top of the Vanarama National League South table with their eighth win in nine league games.

Luke Garrard made one change to the starting line-up from Saturday’s win at Welling United, with Gus Mafuta replacing the injured Jack Payne in midfield.

The visitors had a good opportunity after four minutes when former Wood player Mauro Vilhete went on an excellent run down the left and played in Bunmi Babaijide, who was in acres of space, but his effort was well blocked by Josh Hare. Two minutes later, Jon Benton fired wide from outside the area. Soon afterwards, a lovely run and cross from Hare found the head of Kwesi Appiah, who was denied by Beavers keeper Max Merrick. Wood took the lead on 11 minutes when a Chris Bush pass was headed on by Jon Benton into the path of Matt Rush, who finished well. The visitors then had a couple of good chances to equalise when both Babaijide and Vilhete were denied by Nathan Ashmore.

On 20 minutes, Wood thought they had a second when a Femi Ilesamni cross was headed in by Appiah, but the linesman immediately flagged for offside. Eight minutes later, Ibrahim Jallow forced an excellent save from Ashmore as the visitors started to get a grip on the game. On 34 minutes, a Bush throw-in caused havoc in the Beavers’ defence and Tom Whelan was able to get a shot in, which cleared the crossbar. A minute later, Wood added a second, and it was another goal from Rush, who was able to put the ball in after Appiah’s initial shot hit the post. Just before the break, Rush came close to completing his hat-trick but fired his effort just wide.

HT: Boreham Wood 2-0 Hampton & Richmond Borough

The Beavers came out for the second half with a spring in their step and controlled a lot of early possession. Seven minutes after the restart, Ibrahim Jallow struck the Wood crossbar with a fierce shot. Five minutes later, some excellent forward play from Rush and an unselfish ball to Whelan gave the midfielder a clear shot at goal, but he fired just wide. On 66 minutes, Appiah added a third with a poacher’s finish for his 18th league goal of the season. Ilesamni nearly added a fourth two minutes later but fired just wide.

On 73 minutes, Alex Wall pulled one back for the visitors, immediately after coming on as a substitute. The Beavers grew in confidence after the goal. Two minutes later, Mike Atkinson fired just wide, and the same player forced Ashmore into a good save on 78 minutes. Wood were able to weather the storm, and five minutes from the end, went close with a Whelan free-kick. Wood held out comfortably for the three points.

FT: Boreham Wood 3-1 Hampton & Richmond Borough

It was a good performance for the most part from Boreham Wood. The strike force of Appiah and Rush is once again a real factor in their success. With Boreham Wood at home to Chippenham Town on Saturday, they will fancy their chances of remaining at the top of the table.

Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Richardson, Ilesamni, Hare, Bush, O’Connell, Mafuta, Whelan, Benton (Sagaf 79), Rush (Marsh 85), Appiah (Dixon 79)

Subs not used: Agbontohoma, Abdulmalik

Hampton & Richmond Borough: Merrick, Campbell, Atkinson, Keeya (Hunt 80), Jallow, Babaijide (Wall 80), Taylor, Vilhete, Revan (Byrd 70), Wiltshire, Evans (Williams 62)

Subs not used: French

Man of the Match: Matt Rush

Match report written by Brett Lewis.