Match Preview
Boreham Wood v Hartlepool
Saturday 29th February 2020, 3.00pm
Meadow Park, Vanarama National League
This Saturday, Boreham Wood host 11th place Hartlepool at Meadow Park in the Vanarama National League.
On their last time out, Hartlepool impressively beat 7th place Notts County 2-0 at home via a brace from Nicky Featherstone.
Whereas, it was an end of the impressive 15 game unbeaten run for the Wood as we disappointingly lost 3-2 away from home against Aldershot Town on Tuesday night.
THE CONTEXT
Wood saw their unbeaten run dismantled by 14th place Aldershot as we narrowly lost 3-2 away from home in blustery conditions.
Kane Smith broke the deadlock in the 13th minute as his left footed cross/shot beat everyone and found its way into the far corner.
It was then in the 53rd and 68th minute when Kodi Lyons-Foster turned the game on its head with a brace from two inswinging Tanner corners which sent the hosts into the lead.
It went from bad to worse for the Wood as Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong scored the Shots third goal of the evening to make it 3-1.
Adam May then scored a debut goal after coming off the bench to make it 3-2, but it turned out to be a consolation goal as Wood couldn’t do enough to get another goal in order to come away with anything from the game.
Whereas, Hartlepool secured a 2-0 home victory in their previous game against Notts County which meant they would leap into the top half of the table.
HARTLEPOOL UNITED RECENT FORM
The Pools come into this fixture on a run of good form having only lost once in their previous eight games in the league proceedings.
However, it is their home form which sees them sit where they are in the league as they haven’t won in any of their previous nine away games in all competitions with their last away win coming in late November on the road to Chesterfield.
Hartlepool recently reached the 3rd Round Proper of the FA Cup where they matched up against League One outfit Oxford United. The Pools went into the break one goal to the good, but Oxford’s class came through in the second half as they came out the blocks flying and scored four goals to kill the game off.
HARTLEPOOL UNITED PLAYER TO WATCH
Nicky Featherstone, Midfield
Nicky Featherstone has been Hartlepool’s man in form in recent weeks and is our player to watch in this weekend’s match day preview.
Featherstone scored a brace for the first time in his senior career on Saturday in a 2-0 victory against Notts County at home.
The 30-year-old midfield maestro came through the ranks at Hull City and managed to make eight first team appearances for the Tigers in the Championship.
Featherstone is a player with bags of experience at various levels within the Football League and in Non-League. He made 58 appearances for Hereford United in League Two, 55 appearances for Walsall in League One and more recently featured for Harrogate Town in the National League North before signing for Hartlepool where he has made 223 appearances and has established himself as a real fans favourite.
LAST TIME WE MET
Hartlepool United 2-2 Boreham Wood, National League, Saturday 23rd November 2019
Wood started the game the stronger side as we took the lead from the penalty spot in the 26th minute, with Sorba Thomas striking home.
Kabongo Tshimanga doubled our lead just after the break as he raced through on goal and slotted past an on rushing Killip.
The deficit was halved in the 70th minute as Nicky Featherstone slotted into the corner of Nathan Ashmore’s net from just outside the box.
The Pool’s then had their chance to convert from the spot with six minutes left as Tyrone Marsh found himself on defensive duties and fouled his man in the box. Gime Toure stepped up and scored to make it level, which meant the teams would have to settle for a point a piece.
IN FOCUS: MATT RHEAD
New signing Matt Rhead recently put pen to paper for the Wood and is our man in focus for this weekend’s match day preview.
Rhead is no stranger to a National League promotion as he won the title with Mansfield Town and Lincoln City. With the later, he went on to win the League Two title last season and previously picked up silverware winning the EFL Cup in 2018.
Rhead featured for the Imps 163 times netting 43 goals but left the club at the end of last season after their promotion to League One.
He was then made a big offer to sign for Billericay Town which was almost impossible to turn down, but after featuring just 11 times for the club, Glenn Tamplin left which eventually meant Rhead would be left as a free agent.
MATCH DAY INFORMATION
SEGREGATION
Please note following the advice of the Safety Advisory Group and the Herts Constabulary Police, as well as our own Safety Officer and Chief Steward, this game will operate full segregation.
TICKET INFORMATION
Ticketing prices will be as follows for those who purchase in advance (subject to booking fee): –
Adult – £18.00
OAP – £13.00
U16 – £8.00
U12 – £5.00
Prices on the day consist of:-
Adult – £20.00
OAP – £15.00
U16 – £10.00
U12 – £7.00
Boreham Wood FC have moved onto an online ticketing system, in partnership with Event Genius. We advise all supporters planning to attend Boreham Wood FC matches at Meadow Park, both home and away supporters, purchase tickets beforehand. Once purchased, tickets are available to download directly to supporters’ phones via the Ticket Arena app and can also be printed at home and brought to the game for entry.
Home supporters can purchase HERE.
Away supporters can purchase HERE.
DISABLED OR LESS ABLE SUPPORTERS
BWFC has dedicated facilities for wheelchair bound and less able supporters. These include a viewing area and disabled toilet facilities. These are available via the West Stand. Supporters wishing to make use of these facilities are asked to enter the stadium via the South Stand Turnstiles off Brook Road car park. Disabled parking bays are available in this car park.
Please note that these parking spaces are limited and on a first come, first served basis. Unfortunately, spaces cannot be reserved by the club.
Please note that carers tickets will only be issued to those with a valid carer’s card, or, proof that they require a carer.
USE OF CAR PARK AND CLUB HOUSE
No supporter parking is available at Meadow Park, the club car park is available to players, directors, officials and guests only.
Boreham Wood FC advise supporters to park in Brook Road Public Car Park. Access to the Stadium is available from this car park via the South Stand Turnstiles (for away supporters) and via a public footpath through the adjacent park (for home supporters.) Please note that parking charges may apply.
Alternative parking is also available via the Hertsmere Council Civic Car Park, which is less than a 5-minute walk to the club. Again, please note parking charges may apply.
For home supporters using Brook Road Car Park, who wish to use the clubs bar facilities, this is a short walk to the main club house through the park.
Unfortunately, it is Boreham Wood FC policy that our club house is for home supporters only on match days. Away supporters are advised to use the facilities in the town centre just a short walk away from the Stadium via Brook Road.
Match Preview written By Joe Karadzas (Press Assistant)
