MAFUTA THE SHOOTER DOWNS POOLS
Hartlepool United 1-2 Boreham Wood
Saturday 5th December 2020, 3:00pm
Victoria Park, Vanarama National League
A brace from former Pools midfielder Gus Mafuta sealed a gritty,backs to the wall, victory for Boreham Wood against his previos club at Victoria Park. It was Wood’s first victory over the Pools in seven attempts.
Following their excellent Emirates FA Cup win at Canvey Island on Monday night, Luke Garrard’s side were unchanged with Sorba Thomas staying in his more advanced role and it was the BW PASE Academy graduate who went close within the first 20 seconds. After five minutes Nathan Ashmore produced a good save from a Nicky Featherstone shot and only a minute later Tshimanga had the ball in the back of the Hartlepool net but was ruled out for being offside. Tshimanga went close again after twenty five minutes but his header was just slightly wide. Nathan Ashmore then added to his list of excellent saves after denying Gavan Holohan.
In the 37th minute Gus Mafuta gave the visitors the deserved lead with a well struck effort which beat Ravas in the Pools goal, it was a goal that Wood had earned on the balance of play. As Hartlepool turned the screw just before half time, Ashmore again made a good save, this time from Luke Molyneux before Mason Bloomfield equalised in injury time just before the interval.
Hartlepool dominated in the early part of the second half and had some good chances to take the lead. Featherstone shot wide and Hololan hit his shot into the side netting, when it looked like he would score. After sixty eight minutes, Gus Mafuta sealed the three points for Boreham Wood, scoring an incredible goal! His left foot pile driver gave Ravas absolutely no chance in the Pools goal, creating a contender in being the goal of the season!
Tshimanga could have made it 3-1 a few minutes later but just couldn’t get on the end of a cross from Jamal Fyfield. In the final period of the match, Hartlepool enjoyed the lions share of possession as they pressed for another equaliser. However, the Boreham Wood defence held firm to see out the game allowing the team to see their second away league victory of the season.
It was a fantastic victory on the road for Boreham Wood and a very welcome three points. Gus Mafuta seems to get better every week and really was a key difference between the sides today.
A delighted Wood Manager Luke Garrard said “It was a massive three points today. We created some good chances. We warranted that win and worked tirelessly to get it. It’s been a very positive week”
Hartlepool United: Ravas, Cass, Ferguson, Magloire, Johnson, Crawford (Oates ’73), Featherstone, Holohan, Molyneux (Grey ’82), Donaldson (Ofosu ’71), Bloomfield.
Subs Not Used: Shelton, Bunney.
Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Champion, Fyfield, Ilesanmi, Mafuta, Murtagh (McDonnell ’82), Smith, Francis-Angol, Thomas, Rhead, Tshimanga.
Subs Not Used: Huddart, Coulthirst, Stephens, Mingoia.
Man of the Match: Gus Mafuta.
Match report written by Brett Lewis (Non-League Paper & Wood Army member)
