Boreham Wood v Southend United
Saturday 30th October 2021, 3.00pm
LV Bet Stadium Meadow Park, Vanarama National League
Match Preview written by Aaron Bennis (BWFC Media Assistant)
THE CONTEXT
This Saturday, Wood look to build on their narrow victory over King’s Lynn Town as they host recently relegated Southend United.
The Shrimpers aren’t enjoying life in the National League as they sit down in 21st, with just two wins and seven defeats.
Wood began to close the gap to Grimsby Town at the top after their 1-0 win away at King’s Lynn Town last time out, with just two points separating the top three.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
“THE DESTROYER”
ABU OGOGO
An Arsenal academy graduate, Abu Ogogo spent six years with Dagenham & Redbridge where he made over 250 appearances and helped them win promotion to League One via the play-offs in 2010, as well as captaining the club from 2012. His time at Victoria Road got off to an indifferent start, struggling to make a starting position his own owing to a variety of reasons, not least his reputation of being sent off. After waiting for his chance though, he was able to cement his place at right back and helped the club push for the play-offs in 2009/10, featuring in the subsequent final win over Rotherham United. He took his impressive form into the club’s maiden season in League One, and although they were unable to maintain their third tier status, Ogogo won plaudits for his performances. He would be moved into midfield by new manager Wayne Burnett as well as being appointed captain, winning the Player of the Season award the following season. Upon leaving the Daggers at the end of his contract in 2015, he joined Shrewsbury Town where he spent three seasons, making more appearances for the club than any other player in his debut campaign as well as winning both the Players’ Player of the Year and Fan’s Player of the Year awards. He was appointed captain for a single season ahead of 2017/18, before a brief stint at Coventry City that preceded a move to Bristol Rovers, A return to Dagenham & Redbridge in 2020 for a short-lived loan allowed him more opportunities, before agreeing to join recently relegated Southend United in the summer.
“THE PLAYMAKER”
JACK BRIDGE
Born in Southend-on-Sea, Jack Bridge joined his local team at the age of nine and signed his professional contract in 2014. After a couple of loan spells away with Soham Town Rangers and Chelmsford City, he made his first team debut for the Blues at the end of the 2015/16 season as a substitute for Glen Kamara, going on to make a handful of appearances before leaving permanently for Northampton Town. Spells with Carlisle United, Concord Rangers and Bromley followed, before returning to Roots Hall in the summer.
“THE FINISHER”
RHYS MURPHY
Beginning his career with Arsenal, Rhys Murphy would experience spells on loan at Brentford and Preston North End before leaving the Gunners for Dutch outfit SC Telstar, where he scored eight goals in his single season abroad. He returned to England with Dagenham & Redbridge and signed for Oldham Athletic after two seasons with the Daggers, shortly going on loan to Crawley Town where he scored nine goals in 15 appearances and then AFC Wimbledon where he won promotion to League One. A brief stint with Forest Green Rovers brought loan spells with York City, Crawley and Torquay United, before further spells at Gillingham, Chelmsford City and Yeovil Town that brought 58 goals with the latter two, prior to his recent move to Roots Hall.
LAST TIME WE MET
Boreham Wood 3-3 Southend United (AET)
Wood win 4-3 on pens
Saturday 7th November 2020
LV Bet Stadium Meadow Park, National League
An FA Cup upset was on the cards as National League side Boreham Wood knocked out League Two strugglers Southend United on penalties.
An end to end affair saw the Wood race into a shock 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Jamal Fyfield and Mark Ricketts, with the defender’s powerful header early on seeing the lead doubled just after half time with a wonder strike from the captain, who’s well-taken volley found the top corner. The away side reacted by scoring twice in quick succession to level proceedings with Brandon Goodship capitalising on some miscommunication at the back, before Terrell Egbri scrambled the ball home after Jason Demetriou’s effort from outside the box was inadvertently put into his path. Extra time was required to separate the sides with Kabongo Tshimanga converting a penalty, before James Olayinka equalised again and force it to a shootout, with Gus Mafuta scoring the penultimate penalty before decisive spot kick was missed by Jason Demetriou and send the Wood into the second round.
PRE MATCH WORDS
HOW TO WATCH
MATCH TICKETS
All spectators are encouraged to pre-purchase their match tickets to avoid queuing and congestion upon entry into the ground. Tickets are also available to be purchased on the day via cash and debit/credit card.
Home supporters purchasing match tickets on the day should go to the club’s ticket office located in the main club car park, whereas visiting supporters can purchase match tickets on the day from their designated turnstiles.
Home Tickets (General Sale) – Click Here.
Home Tickets (Black Card Members) – Click Here.
Away Tickets (General Sale) – Click Here.
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
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