MATCH PREVIEW - CHESTERFIELD (A) - Boreham Wood Football Club Official Website

Chesterfield v Boreham Wood
Saturday 23^Rd October 2021, 3.00pm
Technique Stadium, National Premier
Match Preview written by Aaron Bennis (BWFC Media Assistant)

THE CONTEXT

This Saturday, Wood travel to the Technique Stadium to take on promotion rivals Chesterfield

The Spireites have had an impressive start to the season, sitting fourth with six wins, four draws and just one defeat, including a 4-0 hammering of Southend United last time out

Wood continued their excellent early season form as they progressed to the First Round of the FA Cup with a win over local rivals Barnet last time out, and will be keen to make it three wins on the bounce with a chance to go top of the National League

PLAYERS TO WATCH

“THE DESTROYER”
GARY GUNNING

A vastly experienced defender, Gary Gunning joined the English leagues in 2006 having been born in Ireland, to sign for Blackburn Rovers with the bulk of his five years in Lancashire being spent on loan at Tranmere Rovers, Rotherham United, Bury and Motherwell, before leaving without a senior appearance to his name. He would sign for Dundee United and enjoy two successful spells in Scotland either side of brief stints at Birmingham City and Oldham Athletic, being named in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year for the 2011/12 campaign. With over 100 appearances in all competitions in four seasons over two stints at the Terrors, he joined Greenock Morton for a single season before returning to England, signing for Grimsby Town in January 2017 until the end of the campaign prior to a switch to league rivals Port Vale for 2017/18 and then Forest Green Rovers in 2018/19. Stints with Billericay Town, Solihull Moors and Gloucester City preceded a move to Chesterfield midway through the 2020/21 season, playing 18 times as the Spireites qualified for the play-offs. After falling to Notts County in the eliminator round and remaining in the National League, Gunning has started every game for Chesterfield so far this season.

“THE PLAYMAKER”
LIAM MANDEVILLE

A graduate of the Doncaster Rovers academy, Liam Mandeville broke through at the Keepmoat Stadium to play 64 times, making his debut in 2015. After a brief spell on loan at Whitby Town, Mandeville became a regular in the Doncaster team throughout the 2016/17 season featuring 21 times, but would find opportunities limited in the following campaign and left on a temporary basis in the January window, joining Colchester United until the end of the season. A further loan spell was announced for the entirety of the 2018/19 season, this time to Morecambe where he was a mainstay, playing 46 times in all competitions and contributing to 14 goals. Upon his return to Doncaster he was released, eventually signing for Chesterfield where he has remained since and has clocked up over 70 appearances for the Spireites, helping the club reach the National League play-offs last season.

“THE FINISHER”
KABONGO TSHIMANGA

Former Wood striker Kabongo Tshimanga was sold to the Spireites in the summer after an extremely successful spell at Meadow Park. After coming through the ranks at MK Dons, a succession of loan spells at Aldershot Town, Chelmsford Town, Corby Town, Nuneaton Town, Chesham United, Þróttur and Yeovil Town brought an end his 12-year affiliation with the Dons in 2017, joining Boston United on a permanent deal. Eight goals in 34 appearances saw his stay limited to just one season, soon signing for Oxford City. A stunning 37 goals in all competitions during the 2018/19 campaign saw him win the Manager’s Player, Player’s Player and Fan’s Player of the Year awards, and his form saw him picked up by National League side Boreham Wood. A firm fans’ favourite in Hertfordshire, Tshimanga’s 19 goals in his debut campaign helped the club reach their second top seven finish in three seasons and a shot at the play-offs, which were ended by eventual winners Harrogate Town in the semi-final. A further 18 goals last season in a disappointing Wood side that finished down in 14^th meant he was on the radar of many other teams. Eventually joining Chesterfield in the summer, he has been on fire for the Spireites already, top scoring in the National League with nine goals so far.

LAST TIME WE MET

Chesterfield 0-0 Boreham Wood
Tuesday 13^th April 2021
Technique Stadium, National Premier

An in-form Chesterfield were held to a goalless stalemate as Wood were rewarded for an impressive defensive display

It was the Spireites who got the better of the first half, taking just six minutes to find their first opening with new signing Kairo Mitchell heading over Nathan Ashmore’s goal. Gavin Gunning would go close as well shortly after with a free kick that went just wide, followed by a Akwasi Asante header that was well saved by Ashmore. Wood soon grew into the game and had their first chances midway through the half, with Tom Champion heading wide from a corner and Kabongo Tshimanga being denied by Grant Smith. Ashmore had to be at his best to prevent Curtis Weston’s long-range effort finding the back of the net before Asante struck the rebound over the bar, rounding out the half in fortuitous fashion for the visitors. Asante and Nathan Tyson went closest for the Spireites in the second half, and although chances for both sides were at a premium, it was the Wood who had the best of the business end of the game with a dominant final ten minutes. Corey Whitley was the first player to successfully put the ball in the back of the net after a corner, only to see it chalked off due to a questionable foul on Smith. Luke Garrard’s men made their stance clear and continued their momentum. Tyrone Marsh stung the hands of Smith with a well struck shot in the final few minutes prior to a succession of corners for the away side. Although it wasn’t to be in the end, it remained a well-fought point won on the road against one of the division’s most in-form teams.

PRE MATCH WORDS

HOW TO WATCH

MATCH TICKETS

Tickets can be purchased online and on the day, but to reduce queues on matchday, it is strongly advised that supporters purchase their tickets in advance with the link below…