Three goals either side of half-time were enough for Boreham Wood to secure a 3-1 win against their local rivals St Albans and continue their push for the Vanarama National League South title.

Luke Garrard made one change from last Saturday’s win against Eastbourne Borough, with Chris Bush coming into the starting line-up ahead of David Agbontohoma following the end of his three-match suspension.

The first half was mostly dominated by St Albans, who enjoyed more of the possession and had numerous chances. Tom Whelan had the game’s first effort on goal on 17 minutes but fired straight at Saints keeper Michael Johnson. The hosts responded two minutes later when Brandon Mason ran down the left and crossed in for Oliver Davis, but he was unable to convert. Soon afterwards, Davis tried his luck from distance, but it was a straightforward save for Wood keeper Nathan Ashmore.

On 26 minutes, Brandon Mason went on a good run before firing narrowly wide for the hosts. A minute later, Femi Ilesanmi shot just wide for Boreham Wood. Just before the break, Wood took the lead against the run of play when a Whelan corner was spilt by Johnson in the Saints’ goal, enabling Charlie O’Connell to convert a simple tap-in at the far post.

HT: St Albans City 0-1 Boreham Wood

The goal before the break had clearly lifted Boreham Wood, and in the first five minutes after the interval, they finished the game as a contest. Top scorer Kwesi Appiah added a second three minutes after the restart with a well-struck finish. On 50 minutes, they went three goals up when Appiah played in Jayden Richardson with a delightful pass. He, in turn, delivered a lovely cross for Matt Rush to finish at the far post. After the third goal, Wood sat back as the hosts attacked, but for a time, they were unable to offer anything. On 67 minutes, Jon Benton fired over with a nice curling shot. Four minutes later, the hosts had their first real chance of the half when Alfie Bendle forced Ashmore into a good save before Shaun Jeffers was also denied by the Wood keeper.

On 75 minutes, the Saints got their goal when former Wood loanee Zane Banton finished well from outside the penalty area. It was a nice way for Banton to mark his 300th match for St Albans City. Wood, for a time, were under the cosh, and there was a feeling that if the hosts had scored again, Boreham Wood would have been under severe pressure. It was some excellent defending that preserved Boreham Wood’s two-goal lead. On 80 minutes, Erico Sousa went on a good run and fired just wide of the Saints’ goal. A minute later, Deon Woodman headed just wide for the hosts. In stoppage time, Gio Rasulo crossed for Harrison Smith, who was just off target with a header for the Saints.

FT: St Albans City 1-3 Boreham Wood

Boreham Wood weren’t at their best but did just enough either side of the break to secure an important three points. With Chelmsford City coming to Meadow Park on Tuesday night, followed by some tricky away games at Torquay United and Truro City, Luke Garrard will want this run to continue.

St Albans City: Johnson, Sweet (Jeffers 69), Mason, Longe-King, Woodman, Clarridge, Bendle, Banton, Rasulo, Davis (Castiglione 61), Dasch (Smith 61).

Subs not used: Payne, Moore.

Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Richardson, Ilesanmi, Bush, O’Connell, Yarney (Agbontohoma 11), Sagaf, Whelan, Benton (Sousa 69), Rush (Marsh 81), Appiah (Dixon 88).

Subs not used: Abdulmalik.

Man of the Match: Tom Whelan.

Match report written by Brett Lewis.