The Wood open the brand new National League season this Saturday, August 4 (3pm), when we welcome Dagenham & Redbridge to Meadow Park. Here’s our preview…
Match Details
Tickets will be available to purchase on the gates, on the day of the game. Ticket prices are as follows: Adults £19; OAPS £14, under 16’s £9 and under 12’s £5.
These prices are to sit, or stand. The West and East stands are seated, and the North and South stands are standing.
Season tickets are available for collection tomorrow, between 11am-2pm.
The match will be segregated, and the nearest public car park is stationed in Brook Road and adjacent to stadium.
Team News
The fixture will be the Wood’s first of pre-season and Luke Garrard has a full quota to chose from.
New signings Jamal Fyfield, Manny Parry, Femi Ilesanmi, Bradley Ash and Connor Smith could all make their debuts.
Form Guide
The Wood have endured a pleasing pre-season, with victories over both Hitchin Town and Barnstaple Town.
The side appeared to hit form at the right time though, with impressive performances against higher league opposition AFC Wimbledon and Crystal Palace.
Garrard added that the performances against The Dons and The Eagles were the best of pre-season, ahead of the new campaign.
The likes of Bradley Ash, Shaun Jeffers, Sorba Thomas, Angelo Balanta and Ricky Shakes could all start up front, in varying combinations.
Meanwhile, Jamal Fyfield and Manny Parry will be fighting it out with Tom Champion and David Stephens for the centre back berths.
A number of other positions are up for grabs ahead of the opener.
Managed by former England caretaker boss Peter Taylor, Dagenham & Redbridge have seen a summer of change since the end of the season.
Ben Goodliffe, Alex Davey and Ollie Harfield could all be making their returns to Meadow Park, having signed for the Daggers over the summer.
One to Watch – Matt Robinson
Matt Robinson began his career as a youth player in the Leicester City academy before joining Luton Town in 2012.
He went on to feature 47 games for the Hatters and played a part in their Conference Premier Title success of 2013/14. He made his Football League debut in August 2014 as Luton beat Carlisle United 1-0.
Robinson joined the Daggers in 2016 and has gone on to be an integral part of their midfield ever since.
A combative midfielder with a strong presence, Robinson is tasked with making the Daggers’ midfield tick and will prove key in their battle against the Wood.
From the Dugout – Luke Garrard
“I am very excited; pre-season drags to an extent, and for me, it is competitive football matches that everyone craves.
“We have worked hard in the last six/seven weeks and we have got the group to where I think that they need to be and we are looking forward to putting that into practice on Saturday.
“We have done a lot of opposition analysis leading up to the game and I went to watch their games against Cambridge and Hemel Hempstead.
“We know what they are going to offer up; they have got a young, athletic and energetic side, with people that have got a point to prove.
“We are expecting a hard battle and a team who have got their backs against the wall, in terms of the things going on behind the scenes.
“But for me, it is nice to finally get the competitive games back on and we are fully focused and ready to hopefully get three points on Saturday.”
