FC Halifax Town v Boreham Wood
Tuesday 25th January 2022, KO 7.45pm
The Shay, Vanarama National League
THE CONTEXT
This Tuesday, Wood make the long trip up to West Yorkshire to take on promotion rivals FC Halifax Town.
The Shaymen have risen to second in the division after losing just once since October, although defeat last time out to Maidenhead United will prove to be a blow that they will be keen to bounce back from, while widening the gap to the Wood in the process.
Wood’s draw with Weymouth last time out will be a slight setback, but a win on Tuesday night would take us just a single point behind Halifax with three games in hand.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
“THE DESTROYER”
TOM BRADBURY
A ball-playing centre half, Tom Bradbury began his career in the MK Dons youth setup, before brief stints with Bishop’s Stortford and Banbury allowed him more regular opportunities. He would move to Scotland to sign for Dundee before joining York City, prior to a move to Yeovil Town. After just a season at Huish Park, Bradbury left for FC Halifax Town, and has impressed both defensively and offensively, with a real presence in both boxes, since his arrival at The Shay Stadium.
“THE PLAYMAKER”
KIERAN GREEN
Having joined Stockton Town at a young age, Kieran Green moved to the academy of Hartlepool United where he rose through the ranks from an under 14 level and made his debut at the age of 17. Loan spells with Spennymoor Town, Frickley Athletic and Gateshead gave him first team experience before joining the latter permanently. Two further loan spells with Blyth Spartans followed, and he once again made his temporary move permanent. He made 39 appearances in the 2018/19 season, before signing for divisional rivals York City in the summer. A ball winning central midfielder, Green is hard in the tackle and can contribute going forward. He joined FC Halifax Town in the summer of 2020 and was an ever-present in his debut season, playing a total 64 times since his arrival at The Shay.
“THE FINISHER”
MATTY WARBURTON
A former PE teacher, Matty Warburton is the epitome of hard work and dedication. After playing part-time football for Maine Road, Curzon Ashton, Salford City and Stockport County, his form began to catch the eye of teams higher up. He scored nearly 90 goals in 100 games for Curzon over two spells and netted 34 league goals in 79 matches for Stockport, eventually being snapped up by League One side Northampton Town in 2019. He spent two seasons at the Sixfields Stadium, and went on loan to Yeovil Town in 2020/21 before being released in the summer. He joined FC Halifax Town and scored his first goal for the club against former side Stockport County, going on to notch seven more this season. Three of them came across the month of December, and he was subsequently awarded National League Player of the Month.
LAST TIME WE MET
Boreham Wood 2-2 FC Halifax Town
Tuesday 14th September 2021
LV Bet Stadium Meadow Park, Vanarama National League
Boreham Wood had to settle for a point after goals from Josh Rees and Scott Boden were cancelled out by an own goal and a late strike from Billy Waters. The hosts came out the blocks quickly with half chances for Will Evans and Femi Ilesanmi, with the Shaymen dealing with the constant threat down the left-hand side from the latter along with Jacob Mendy Mendy.
The Shaymen began to grow into the game and took the lead with their first chance of the game when a teasing ball from Waters was turned into his own net by Fyfield on 22 minutes against the run of play. The Wood hit back and enjoyed a sustained period of pressure, ensuring the visitor’s lead lasted for a mere four minutes as Rees scored his second goal in as many matches after some good work from Frankie Raymond. Shortly after, Boden began to threaten when he produced a well-struck shot after a nice one-two with Raymond, but his bullet header just a few minutes later gave the Wood a deserved lead shortly before half time.
The second half started with a different feel to it, as the Wood were up against it for much of the next 45 minutes with Halifax dominating the majority of proceedings. The dangerous Waters proved to be a menace throughout and forced an excellent save from Nathan Ashmore with 20 minutes to go, but he secured an equaliser soon after when he slotted home into the far corner. As Halifax continued to push for a winner, the Wood needed to remain resilient to see out a well-fought point.
HOW TO WATCH
WATCH LIVE ON BT SPORT
Watch Wood’s match up with promotion challengers FC Halifax Town is being shown live on BT Sport this evening, with coverage starting at 7.15pm on BT Sport 1.
MATCH TICKETS
Wood fans please note you will be in blocks A/B of the main East Stand, entrance via turnstile 16. This is a strictly cash turnstile. Our hosts have very limited card facilities at the moment but cash machines, if required, are located very close to the ground at both the TESCO store and the ESSO garage nearby.
Our hosts are implementing reduced admission prices for this game. Admission prices are as follows: –
Adults (18 & over) – £15.00
12-17 years old – £9.00
Under 12’s – FREE with a paying adult
LIVE UPDATES
You can keep up with the action via our Twitter and Instagram pages, where there will be regular updates throughout the course of the match.
Instagram: @boreham_woodfc
Twitter: @boreham_woodfc
OUR CLUB. OUR TOWN. OUR COMMUNITY.
