Boreham Wood’s unbeaten home record came to an end on Saturday afternoon, as they lost 4-2 to Harrogate Town at home.
Gozie Ugwu had opened the scoring in the 10th minute with his first goal for the club, but Harrogate were level shortly after, through George Thomson.
A quick-fire double from the away side in the second half secured them the lead. Ugwu briefly pulled a goal back for the Wood, but Jack Emmett netted a fourth goal for Harrogate Town.
The Wood continued in their usual 3-5-2 formation, with Connor Smith, Tom Champion and Kieran Murtagh in the middle, as Joshua Umerah and Ugwu led the line.
There was attacking intent early on from both sides, as Femi Ilesanmi got down the left-wing and drove a low cross into the box, but no one could get onto the end of it. Joe Leesley then attempted a cross of his own from the left, but to the same outcome.
The home side opened the scoring through a corner after just 10 minutes. Keiran Murtagh’s delivery fell to David Stephens in the box, but his shot was blocked by Callum Howe and Gozie Ugwu snapped it up and poked past James Belshaw.
The lead was almost cancelled out within minutes, when Jack Muldoon found the on-running Aaron Williams, who lashed an effort towards the bottom left corner, but Ryan Huddart was down to push it wide.
However, Harrogate did draw level shortly after. George Thomson got onto the end of a cross from Leesley and sent it past Huddart with a well-placed header.
The remainder of the first half was largely even, and Kelvin Langmead done well to get a leg in the way and block a shot from Ugwu at a tight angle. Jamal Fyfield looked to test the ‘keeper from the subsequent corner, but sent his header over.
Harrogate reacted with a quick free-kick that sent substitute Emmett racing down the right, but his cross was swung in-front of the stretching Leesley.
Harrogate took the lead early on in the second half after a fast start. Williams closed down Huddart and forced the ‘keeper into a mistake, when his clearance crashed off the back of Williams and into the goal.
The lead was doubled three minutes later thanks to the hard work of Leesley down the left. The winger danced around his marker and drove a cross onto the foot of Femi Ilesanmi and into his own net.
Wood manager Luke Garrard made a change and brought on Sorba Thomas for Connor Smith, with the forward making a bright impression on the game, with his directness and pace.
However, it was the brilliance of Ugwu that looked to have pulled them back into the match, when he took on the ball and thumped it past the helpless Belshaw, from 30-yards out.
The comeback attempt would prove fruitless though, as substitute Emmett coolly added a fourth for the away side. The forward, who was making his return from injury, carried the ball forward and curled it into the left corner from the edge of the area.
With the Wood heading for a first loss at home, Ricky Shakes ‘ tried his luck from 20-yards with a vicious volley, but Langmead blocked wide.
There would be one final chance for Garrard’s side, as Tom Champion and Thomas linked up down the left; the latter drove a ball across the box, but Belshaw somehow kept out Manny parry’s close-range effort.
The Wood: Huddart, Ilesanmi, Parry, Stephens, Shakes, Champion ©, Umerah (Shaibu 75’), Murtagh, Fyfield, Ugwu, Smith (Thomas 56’)
Subs not used: Balcombe, Gibbs, Ndiaye
Harrogate Town: Belshaw, Falkingham ©, Howe, Burrell, Thomson (Agnew 90+1), Leesley, Langmead, Williams, Kerry (Emmett 38’), Muldoon (Beck 70’), Kitching
Subs not used: Knowles, Cracknell
Goals:
The Wood: Ugwu 3’, 60’
Harrogate Town: Thomson, 19’, Williams 51’, Ilesanmi O.G. 54’, Emmett 74’
Attendance: 566 (84 away)
