OWN GOAL SECURES AWAY WIN
Dover Athletic vs. Boreham Wood
Monday 30th August 2021, 3.00pm
Crabble Stadium, Vanarama National League
A forty-first minute own goal from Dover’s Jake Goodman ensured Boreham Wood have won their first three league games for the first time since the 2001-2002 season.
Luke Garrard’s side were unchanged from Saturday’s victory over Aldershot Town always looked in control of proceedings against a Dover Athletic side playing their first home league game since January.
The home side started off brightly and forced a succession of corners, but the Wood defence marshalled by the outstanding Will Evans held firm. On six minutes, Frankie Raymond’s effort was well blocked by Jake Goodman on the line. Two minutes later Will Evans headed Kane Smith’s free kick over the bar. Jamal Fyfield them struck a volley over the bar. On twelve minutes Nathan Ashmore was called upon to make an excellent save from Aaron Cosgrave. Six minutes later, some excellent hold up play from Scott Boden created an opening for Jacob Mendy Mendy but his effort was blocked. Kane Smith then had a cross shot which went just over the bar. Boden then had a shot blocked by Goodman. On twenty-three minutes Ricky Miller rolled back the years with an effort from twenty yards out with his trusty left foot but it went just wide. The next period of the match was played very much in Dover’s half. Kane Smith went close to scoring but his excellent volley went just wide of Josh Bexon’s goal. On forty-one minutes Boreham Wood took the lead. Kane Smith who was a constant menace to the Dover backline all afternoon, went on a marauding run down the right and his cross was turned into his own goal by Jake Goodman. In first half stoppage time, Tyrone March nearly repeated the goal he scored at Weymouth when he chipped the goalkeeper but this time his effort went over the bar.
The second half started much the same for Boreham Wood and on fifty-one minutes, a lovely move involving Frankie Raymond and Mendy Mendy created a chance for Marsh but his legs were just not long enough. A couple of minutes later, Will Evans headed straight at Bexon in the Dover goal. On sixty-nine minutes Marsh climbed the highest with two defenders around him but only managed to head straight at Bexon following a Kane Smith cross. The final few minutes were dominated by Dover as they search for an equalizer but Wood held out to secure all three points.
It was a well-fought victory for Boreham Wood and they dominated proceedings for most of the game. Dover to be fair, put bodies on the line and made it very hard for Wood players to get many shots on target. I sense that it’s going to be a big struggle this season for Dover, especially with their twelve-point deduction. Luke Garrard will be a very happy man with a perfect start after three games. Next Saturday’s encounter at home against Stockport County will be a bigger test.
Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Ilesamni, Ricketts, Evans, Rees (C Smith 70), Boden, Marsh (Stephens 90), Raymond, Fyfield, Mendy Mendy, K Smith.
Subs not used: Green, Munns, Jallow.
Dover Athletic: Bexon, Wood (Arthur, 62) , Bramble, Goodman (Green 75), Miller (Caton 70), Williamson, Cosgrave, Ofori-Twumasi, Gregory, Woods, Collinge.
Subs not used: Da Costa, Parkes.
Star Man: Will Evans.
Match report written by Wood Army member Brett Lewis.
