It was a horror show in Kent for Boreham Wood as they were beaten 4-0 by play-off chasing rivals Maidstone United. Two goals from Sol Wanjau-Smith, a penalty from Ben Brookes, and another from George Fowler were enough for the Stones to leapfrog Boreham Wood in the table, ensuring that Luke Garrard’s men are now hanging on to their play-off spot by a thread.

Luke Garrard made three changes from last Saturday’s defeat against Dorking Wanderers, with new loan signing Joe Rye replacing Charlie O’Connell at the back, Mo Sagaf coming in for the suspended Tom Whelan in midfield, and Matt Rush replacing the injured Kwesi Appiah up front.

It was an interesting opening, with both sides looking to play football, and after some positive early play from Wood, Maidstone started to dominate. The hosts had a good chance in the seventh minute when a Ben Brookes cross found the head of Aaron Blair, who was just off target. Two minutes later, Blair’s cross found Sol Wanjau-Smith, whose effort was well blocked by Wood skipper Jack Payne. The game then lost its flow for a while following a prolonged break due to injuries to Josh Hare and Nathan Ashmore. In the 31st minute, a lovely run and shot from Erico ended with Alexis Andre Jr pulling off an excellent save.

Three minutes later, a long through-ball by Brookes found the head of Temi Eweka, who was just off target. Soon afterward, the Stones took a deserved lead when Charlie Seaman’s throw-in was flicked on by Eweka into the path of Wanjau-Smith, who headed it in to the delight of the home support. In the 44th minute, the hosts doubled their lead with another header from Wanjau-Smith, this time from a Seaman cross. The hosts weren’t done yet and added a third in the fourth minute of stoppage time at the end of the half when Brookes’ penalty gave Ashmore no chance in the Wood goal.

HT: Maidstone United 3-0 Boreham Wood

Boreham Wood were unable to show the required spirit after the break, and despite the required urgency, they were unable to offer much in terms of a fightback. While they controlled a lot of possession, the Maidstone defence was able to nullify any real threat. Six minutes after the restart, Ben Brookes fired over from a difficult angle. In the 56th minute, Blair’s curling shot went wide of Ashmore’s goal. Four minutes later, Payne shot over the bar for Boreham Wood.

The hosts added a fourth in the 65th minute with a neat finish from George Fowler from a Tom Leahy pass. Fowler nearly made it five five minutes later, but his header was off target. In the final minute, Tyrone Marsh forced Andre Jr into a fine save. This was Boreham Wood’s last real chance as they were unable to get on the scoresheet.

FT: Maidstone United 4-0 Boreham Wood

Involvement in the play-offs is still in Boreham Wood’s hands, and they have five games left to finish as high as possible in the league. After three consecutive defeats, Luke Garrard will expect better next week at home to Salisbury.

Maidstone United: Andre Jr, Eweka, Brookes, Fowler, Higgs, Corne, Blair, Seaman, Wanjau-Smith (Willis 83), Gurung (Coulthirst 79), Leahy (Berkeley-Agyepong 79).

Subs not used: Holden, Trusty.

Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Richardson, Sousa (Coxe 77), Reynolds, Rye, Hare (O’Connell 32 / Abdulmalik 62), Payne, Sagaf, Benton (Clayden 62), Rush, Dixon (Marsh 77).

Subs not used:

Man of the Match: Mo Sagaf.

Match report written by Brett Lewis.