Boreham Wood made it a solid five points from their last three matches, as they shared the spoils with Dover Athletic at the Crabble Athletic Ground.
Justin Shaibu put Luke Garrard’s men ahead as early as the fourth minute, after an excellent start.
The lead was short lived though, as Dover skipper Mitch Brundle netted in the 10thto draw level.
Charlie Cooper came in for his first Wood start and Sean Shields dropped to the bench, as Garrard stuck with his 4-3-3 formation.
Wood took their early lead through a fast-paced counter attack, as Shaibu latched on to a fantastic through ball from Cooper. The Danish forward took a touch and thumped it past Lee Worgan and into the bottom left corner.
However, the home side had drawn level within six minutes. Brundle made a late run into the box and got his head onto the end of Bobby-Joe Taylor’s free-kick, nodding it past Ryan Huddart.
A quick counter attack from Dover Athletic afforded them another sight of goal, as Alfie Pavey got onto the end of a cross from Jamie Allen, but could only nod wide.
David Stephens clipped a superb ball over the top of the Dover defence, which Shaibu plucked from the air with his chest, but he lost the ball under pressure from Brundle.
A quickly taken throw-in down the line was taken on by Shaibu, who turned and charged, before being dispossessed.
The on-loan Brentford forward was continuing to trouble the home backline and this time turned provider, attempting to drill a low ball across the box, which was blocked wide.
Jai Reason and Pavey linked up well in attack for Dover but the latter couldn’t get onto the end of Reason’s timely flick.
Anthony Jeffrey then charged down the left wing and cut inside on Tom Champion, but his shot was pushed wide by Ryan Huddart.
Once again Shaibu was on the attack for the Wood. The Danish forward got onto the end of a through ball, but was denied by a well-timed sliding challenge from Kevin Lokko.
Former Wood player Jeffrey latched onto Worgan’s punched clearance from the subsequent corner and darted off on the counter. The winger charged forward with Allen in support and only two Wood defenders back. However, his long-ball to Allen allowed the away side to recover and eventually clear.
Dover started the second half the stronger of the two sides and dominated the early periods. They were left frustrated though, as Allen got in the way of Bedsente Gomis’ long-range shot.
The ball was recycled and Pavey reacted fasted to put it back in the area, however, Allen couldn’t reach it.
A free-kick from Taylor was defended well by the Wood, but Reason picked up the scraps, only to send his shot wide
Looking to wrestle back control of the match, Keiran Murtagh attempted a set-piece routine, which didn’t quite come off, as Idris Kanu failed to control his powerful pass.
The ball was recycled and eventually found its way to Jamal Fyfield. The defender – who scored against Fylde on the weekend – saw his shot well saved by the stretching Worgan.
Wood stopper Huddart then kept his side in the same, with a superb stop. The ‘keeper was forced to deny Allen from close-range, after the midfielder had been found in the middle of the box by Jeffrey.
Ash attempted a run at Taylor, but saw his low cross blocked out for a throw-in. The following throw was taken on by Murtagh, who cut inside and lashed a shot at Worgan, who held the effort.
Looking for a final chance of the game, PASE academy graduate Inih Effiong drove forward and rounded two Wood defenders, only to send his shot well over the crossbar.
Wood had the opportunity to steal the win at the death, through a set-piece. Stephens got onto the end of Sean Shields’ free-kick and headed it back into the area. Shaibu attacked the ball, but his header crashed against the woodwork and dipped over the bar.
The Wood: Huddart, Ilesanmi, Ricketts ©, Stephens, Champion, Murtagh, Ash, Fyfield, Cooper (Shakes 59’), Kanu (Shields 74’), Shaibu
Subs not used: Legg, Woodards, Parry, Shields
Dover Athletic: Worgan, Lokko, Jeffrey (Nortei 90’), Brundle ©, Allen (Effiong 69’), Pavey, McNamara, Gomis, Lewis, Taylor, Reason (Debayo 82’)
Subs not used: Passley, Doe
Att: 743
Goals:
The Wood: Shaibu 4’
Dover Athletic: Brundle 10’
