AJ Stars As Wood Weather The Storm.
The Skrill South.
Whitehawk 0 Boreham Wood 2,
by John Mead.
Anthony Jeffrey proved to be the match winner scoring both of Wood’s goals, the second a real gem on an atrocious afternoon at The Enclosed Ground. This game was in doubt as early as 9am, yet match referee Mr Rock gave it the go ahead upon arrival. There was little chance of playing attractive football in a constant driving wind and rain that fell horizontally throughout the tie.
Congratulations therefore must go out to both sides for producing something that resembled a football match. Wood were given a massive boost ahead of this six pointer with the news that Callum Reynolds had recovered from injury and as ever played a huge part on the afternoon. His technical ability complimented by Charlie O’Loughlin’s superb defensive headers and the sheer work rate of Sam Cox ensured that chances were at a real premium for The Hawks.
Up front Wood were blessed to have the services of Jeffrey, who ensured the three points returned to Hertfordshire.
Whitehawk’s best chance of the game came after 16 minutes. Charlie Losasso crossed to the far post from the right where Sam Gargan sent his free header wide with the goal gaping.
Jeffrey side footed a shot wide after fortuitously picking up a stray cross from David Moli. Losasso then made a nuisance of himself again sending over a cross from the right that required a hand from James Russell to help it onto the crossbar.
Jeffrey caused the home defence plenty of angst and twice made fine runs down the left before providing crosses that nobody managed to meet. Austin Lipman saw his shot deflected over for a corner, before the hard working Matthew Ball set up Jeffrey who skied his effort.
Wood made their period of pressure tell when Jeffrey took the opportunity to create his own luck. He drifted across the box before firing a low shot that Chris Winterton failed to keep out at his left hand post.
With Wood gaining the advantage there was the added worry of the game lasting the distance , yet the chalky soil prevalent in the area aided the cause with its poracity. The Wood defence however remained water tight, Russell watched a Losasso free kick flash just wide, with chances at a premium in the second half.
Ball set up Jeffrey who blasted over before at the other end an Alex Parson’s free kick was flicked just wide by Michael Richens.
Jeffrey was then played in by substitute Greg Morgan but blasted over the bar. Then came the moment of the game from the clear man of the match. Gathering the ball on the left wing Jeffrey danced past two defenders before cutting in along the goal line and striking a superb shot from an improbable angle into the bottom right hand corner of the net, giving Ian Allinson the precious win that lifts his side to seventeenth.
After the game Allinson concluded, “ We were surprised the game went ahead and needed to change ouR tactics to cope with the strong wind and rain and the surface. We went out to win ugly and use our physicality. It worked tremendously well and in young Anthony Jeffrey we had the match winner. We have not been playing badly of late but have needlessly dropped points. It was a big positive having Callum Reynolds back and certain players showed me what they were made of today. I have never questioned our ability, only our bottle and players like Matthew Ball showed me today they have that. This was a massive win and we need to treat every game as a cup final now to get out of our relegation berth.”
Team: Russell, Nunn, Jones, Garrard, O’Loughlin, Reynolds, Lipman ( Morgan 67), Cox, Moli (Lobjoit 77), Ball, Jeffrey (Montgomery 90+2).
Subs not used: Noto, Courtnage.
Bookings: Reynolds, Moli.
Goals: Boreham Wood: Jeffrey 38,89.
Man Of The Match: Anthony Jeffrey.
