Allinson Performs The Balancing Act!
Vanarama Conference South.
Weston Super Mare 1 Boreham Wood 4,
by John Mead.
Wood gaffer Ian Allinson declared his squad, “A finely balanced outfit,” after this workmanlike victory against the League’s in form side. The win takes Wood back to the top of the table, a position they have held for more than two thirds of the season to date.
The midweek arrival of a third striker in the shape of Luton Town loanee Charlie Walker gives Allinson cover in all departments in the final run in to a hugely successful season to date for Boreham Wood Football Club.
“The result was made in the changing room,” he added, after watching his side cruise through a second half in which they added three more goals to Lee Angol’s 33rd minute opener.
In fact the result came courtesy of some shrewd decisions from the Wood Manager in selecting a starting eleven capable of both stemming the tide of attack that quick starters Weston are renowned for, whilst balancing this with enough power in attack. To this measure, Matty Whichelow and Graeme Montgomery relinquished their starting positions, with Daryl McMahon and Scott Thomas coming into the side.
McMahon almost provided a sudden impact when he shot low and wide when well positioned inside the first minute. The hosts settled immediately thereafter and took the game to Wood. Dayle Grubb forced Callum Reynolds to clear behind, before Clayton Fortune headed over. Grubb then tested James Russell who made a quite magnificent point blank save to deny The Seagull’s leading scorer from just eight yards, all this after just seven minutes.
Grubb again forced a save from Russell, before 17 year old Joe McClennan displayed his ability to find the space to cross into danger on numerous occasions. However, Wood held firm and took the sting out of the Weston strike force in the perfect way, with a goal.
McMahon delivered a pin point cross from the left hand corner flag in open play, which was met by a backward glancing header from Angol, claiming his 21st League goal of the season.
The goal was a great leveller, with both sides enjoying half chances before the interval, until Junior Morias had a great chance to double the lead just before the half time whistle, blasting his effort high and wide after some excellent build up play.
Wood looked the livelier after the restart. Morias took the ball beyond Luke Purnell in the Seagulls goal, which led to a succession of blocked shots before Morias shot wide.
Reynolds was on hand to block a goal bound effort from Jake Mawford, before Wood doubled the lead. Sam Cox and Ben Herd combined down the right. Herd, like in his debut seven days earlier was outstanding, delivering the perfect cross which Shakes met superbly to power home with his head.
Seven minutes later it was essentially game over. Angol advanced down the inside right channel before squaring for McMahon, who had time to sum up his options. His choice , a left footed effort with plenty of bend was well tracked by keeper Purnell, who could do nothing about centre back Tom Jordan’s intervention, who sent the ball sailing over his own keeper.
A procession of substitutions followed to use up some time, before debutant Walker opened his account 15 minutes after coming on. Shakes provided for Matty Whichelow whose right sided cross along the goal line was poked home, mirroring the score line that the reverse tie produced.
However The Seagulls never say die attitude led to a late consolation. Jamie Edge started the move on the right, with substitute Oliver Watkins finishing it on the left with a low shot across Russell.
In summary Allinson added, “I have a group of highly talented players at my disposal. Today we delivered as a team. Winning the three points takes us to another round of games where we are still in contention for at least a play off place. “
Team: Russell, Herd, Garrard, Cox, Hill, Reynolds, Thomas, Shakes, Angol ( Walker 73), Morias ( Whichelow 83), McMahon ( Montgomery 77).
Bookings: Angol.
Goals: Weston Super Mare: Oliver Watkins 90+2
Boreham Wood: Angol 33, Shakes 59, McMahon 66, Walker 88.
Wood Fans Man Of The Match: Sam Cox.
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