Blue Square Bet South
Boreham Wood 0 Weston-super-Mare 1
by John Mead
Wood lost their unbeaten home record at the hands of the Somerset visitors, continuing their recent poor run of form in front of goal. Wood have found the net only three times in the last five games, with two of those from the penalty spot.
Neither side looked capable of winning the game in the opening half. Cliff Akurang forced Lloyd Irish into a save at his near post from a cross after some good build up play. Wood squandered chances from free kicks in good positions and their set plays from corners were equally as uninspiring.
Akurang was the subject of some stern attention from the Weston rear guard who picked up numerous bookings in their quest to temper the main target man for Wood on the afternoon.
There was hope before the interval when a hopeful punt up field from Charlie O’Loughlin led to the shortest man on the field out jump the tallest, with Mauro Vilhete winning possession. David Hutton embarked upon a mazy run seeing his shot blocked for a corner which was easily dealt with by the Weston defence.
With a minute of the half remaining Mark Jones conceded possession to Ross Stearn, who dodged several half hearted challenges with ease, crossing low for the unmarked Pete Monks who side footed home the easiest of finishes, given that James Russell was clinging to his near post.
Wood responded immediately with a Graeme Montgomery corner that was superbly met by the run of Hutton whose fine goal bound header was cleared off the line by a defender.
The game continued in the same vein after the interval. Wood pumping balls forward for Akurang, who was outdone on almost every occasion by a stoic Weston-super-Mare back four who were the real stars of the afternoon.
Hutton and Omer Riza made way for Greg Morgan and Mario Noto with just fifty-six minutes played.
Russell got down well to save a low drive from Ashley Kington at the second attempt, before Morgan gave away possession which led to a dangerous counter attack. Ben Nunn saved the day with a superb interception.
Had Weston centre forward Chas Hemmings kept his cool he would have finished the game after sixty-seven minutes, yet he blasted his shot well wide when through on goal and totally unmarked.
With ten minutes remaining Ian Allinson went to a 3 – 4 – 3 formation with Inih Effiong replacing Mark Jones. It nearly paid off, with Vilhete meeting a Graeme Montgomery corner superbly only to see his header cleared off the line at the left hand post by a defender.
Morgan was then tripped allowing Noto to step up and hit a superb curling free kick that was met by a flying save from Irish. Wood were now finally displaying some urgency and Morgan’s run and deft lob set Montgomery free down the right who got it onto his favoured left foot forcing Irish to save well at his left hand post.
Weston almost grabbed a second on the counter attack when Dayle Grubb drifted across goal forcing Russell to save well diving to his left.
The final action of the afternoon saw Akurang head wide from a short corner. The defeat leaves Wood still fifth in the table, yet a return to the attacking flair of earlier rounds of the League competition is required to compound the Club’s excellent start to the campaign.
In summary Ian Allinson declared, “We looked flat and tired today. They nicked the goal and defended their lead very well. We are slipping into the habit of going too long at times, which you get when the side is scrapping for goals. We have dried up in all areas when it comes to scoring of late, so we will dissect where we are and have a good look at ourselves this week. Let us not forget teams are very wary when they come to us and are not playing deep like they did early on in the Season, so we will look to come back firing against Truro City next weekend.”
Team: Russell, Nunn, Jones (Sub – Effiong 80 mins.), Vilhete, O’Loughlin, Reynolds, Hutton (Sub – Noto 56 mins.), Isaac, Riza (Sub – Morgan 56 mins.), Akurang, Montgomery.
Subs (Not used): Jefford, Beckles.
Goal: Weston-super-Mare: Monks 44.
Man of the Match: Ben Nunn.
