HONOURS EVEN IN PRE-SEASON THRILLER

Boreham Wood 3-3 Chelsea XI
Mangata Pay UK Stadium Meadow Park
18^th July  7:30pm, Pre-Season Friendly

By Brett Lewis

Boreham Wood and a Chelsea XI served up a pre-season classic at the Mangata Pay UK Stadium Meadow Park when Luke Garrard’s men surrendered a three goal lead to draw the game 3-3.

In an incident packed first half, Boreham Wood got the ball rolling by taking the lead after just two minutes when Kwesi Appiah, making his first start for the club, produced a sublime volley which gave Blues keeper Max Merrick no chance at all. Hopefully it’s a sign of things to come for the former Crawley Town striker. Mo Sagaf double Wood’s advantage six minutes later with a lovely finish from just outside the penalty area.

On twelve minutes, Chelsea nearly pulled one back when Callum Hudson-Odoi’s shot was well saved by Nathan Ashmore before the ball bounced back to Ronnie Stutter whose subsequent shot was cleared off the line by Jamal Fyfield. Mo Sagaf was denied by keeper Merrick shortly afterwards. On twenty-one minutes Tyrone added a third with an excellent finish from just inside the penalty area. Seven minutes later Appiah nearly added a fourth but shot just wide following some great close control. On thirty-five minutes Chris Bush’s cross was missed by Merrick in the Chelsea goal but Sagaf was unable to put the ball in having seen it late. Appiah then headed just wide following a lovely Boreham Wood move involving Tom Whelan and Marsh. Three minutes later Hudson-Odoi struck Ashmore’s post. Just before the break, Hudson-Odoi pulled one back with an excellent finish following a great run from midfield.

HALF TIME: BOREHAM WOOD 3-1 CHELSEA XI

The second half was played in very much the same vein as the first but this time it was the visitors who were on the front foot and creating chances. Stutter was denied by a brilliant Ashmore save, just after the restart. Two minutes later the Wood keeper produced a fantastic double save to deny Hudson-Odoi. Wood then appeared to weather the storm and Marsh might have added to his tally on fifty-five minutes, but for an excellent save from Merrick. On the hour mark Chelsea got their second goal when a towering header from Leo Castledine gave Ashmore no chance in the Wood goal.

Soon afterwards, Chelsea made a spate of substitutions which upset their rhythm for a period, but the game maintained its quality. On seventy-two minutes Bush was denied by Merrick on the Blues goal before Angelo Balanta somehow blazed his shot over the bar from close range. On eighty-two minutes, the visitors equalised when Tyrique George hit a thunderous shot beyond Ashmore, going in off the post. Chelsea now looked more likely to grab the winner. Ashmore had to once again be on top form to denying Somto Boniface from distance on eighty-seven minutes.

FULL TIME: BOREHAM WOOD 3-3 CHELSEA XI

It was very much a game of two halves with Boreham Wood impressing before the break and the visitors having the upper hand in the second period. It was once again a useful exercise against a good Chelsea side. Luke Garrard will take a lot out of the game to aid his preparation for the big kick off in just under three weeks’ time.

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