A late Matt Rush goal won it for Boreham Wood in a nail-biting Hertfordshire derby at Hemel Hempstead, where Boreham Wood surrendered a two-goal lead in the second half before Rush’s goal.

Luke Garrard made one change from Saturday’s defeat at Aldershot Town, with Jayden Richardson replacing Erico Sousa at right wing-back.

Wood got off to a fast start and took the lead on three minutes with a rare goal from Femi Ilesanmi. A Chris Bush throw-in caused havoc in the Tudors’ defence, and Ilesanmi was able to head the ball home. Three minutes later, Wood should have added a second, but Kwesi Appiah was just off target with a header from a Tom Whelan corner. Boreham Wood were made to pay for that missed chance when the outstanding Brandon Barzey equalised on 15 minutes. Four minutes later, Samuel Adenola tried his luck from distance, but Nathan Ashmore was equal to it.

On 22 minutes, Gus Mafuta shot from distance, but it went well over the bar. A minute later, Appiah fired over from the six-yard line when it looked easier to score. Wood’s top scorer made amends on 26 minutes by putting Luke Garrard’s side back in front with a neat finish. The hosts nearly responded minutes later when Barzey played in Oliver Lynch, who fired into the side netting. Wood extended their lead on 43 minutes when Tom Whelan fired home a fantastic free kick after Appiah was fouled on the edge of the box.

HT: Hemel Hempstead Town 1-3 Boreham Wood

The Tudors came out for the second half with renewed energy and started to dominate Boreham Wood. Four minutes after the restart, they had an excellent opportunity to score when Ethan Light played in Kyle Ajayi, who headed narrowly wide. Six minutes later, the hosts halved the deficit when former Boreham Wood midfielder George Williams found Oliver Lynch, who finished well at the back post. A minute later, Jayden Richardson fired just wide for Boreham Wood. On the hour mark, Barzey forced Ashmore into an outstanding point-blank save.

Wood were beginning to get into the game again, and on 68 minutes, a miscued Appiah overhead kick fell into the path of Matt Rush, who finished well, only to be denied by the linesman’s flag. Eight minutes later, Rush went close again but was denied by an excellent save from Tudors’ keeper Craig King. Wood were made to pay for these missed chances on 81 minutes when Barzey scored an excellent goal from 20 yards out into the top right-hand corner. Six minutes later, Wood got their winner when an Appiah shot was well saved by King. When the ball came back to Appiah, he played it into the middle for Rush, who finished into an empty net. There was huge relief among the away contingent and a joint celebration between supporters and players. Wood were able to hold on for the three points.

FT: Hemel Hempstead Town 2-3 Boreham Wood

After two defeats in the league, it was an important win for Luke Garrard’s men as they go into a crucial period, with Weston-super-Mare coming to Meadow Park next Saturday.

Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Richardson, Ilesanmi, Bush, Reynolds, O’Connell (Sagaf 72), Mafuta, Whelan, Benton (Marsh 72), Rush (Agbontohoma 90+1), Appiah.

Subs not used: Dixon, Abdulmalik.

Hemel Hempstead Town: King, Adenola, Ogungbo, Ajayi, Light (Cerulli 78), Wiltshire (Brosnan 64), Williams (Hamstead 90+1), Achuba (Smith 78), Lynch, White, Barzey.

Subs not used: McKeown.

Man of the Match: Kwesi Appiah.

Match report written by Brett Lewis.