By John Mead
Just two weeks after our last visit to The Aspect Arena we face a return trip in the F A Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round this Saturday against Concord Rangers. The two sides played out a 1-1 draw in the League a fortnight ago and now turn their craft to knockout football.
The Beachboys have shown their cup pedigree already this season, narrowly defeated in a F A Cup First Round Replay against Second Division Mansfield Town in midweek. Ollie Palmer, a player we had on loan briefly a couple of seasons ago scoring the only goal of the game.
Prior to that The Beachboys defeated Wealdstone, Winchester City and St Albans City to earn their place in the First Round of this countries flagship knockout competition.
They have also knocked Colchester United out of the Essex Senior Cup this season, for the second year running. Concord are the current holders of that Trophy and Wood Boss Ian Allinson is well aware of the task his side face.
“We will approach this like any other game. We want to do well in this competition and it is important that we get through to the next round. We have a momentum and a consistency about us and that needs to continue, regardless of what competition we are competing in.”
We will be without the suspended Josh Hill for the tie, with Harry Hickford, on loan from M K Dons set to take his place.
Thereafter we travel to Hertford Town on Tuesday night to defend our crown as Herts Senior Cup Champions. Town will be keen to go further after a breathtaking giant killing act in their previous round. Reduced to ten men after 25 minutes, they were leading Hitchin Town 2-1 until an 89th minute equaliser looked to take the tie into extra time. However the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division side popped up with a dramatic winner, to knock out the side from two tiers higher.
Regarding the competition Allinson declared, “ I thoroughly enjoyed our night at Letchworth at the end of last season when we lifted the Cup. We had two extremely tough matches in a week against Hitchin Town and Watford to get to the Final. Winning the Cup gave the club a lift and kept our momentum going into this season. I will not be underestimating Hertford Town and will go as strong as I can on the night. We are the holders and we will not be giving the Cup up without a fight.”
Wood Army Recognised!
I congratulated Ian on his excellent record of being unbeaten throughout November and he was quick to divert the plaudits. “ It has been a triumph for the whole club. From the Chairman through to the supporters who have turned out in numbers we have achieved this together.”
The “Wood Army” are therefore kindly requested to continue to assist in the good fortunes of their side by turning out in numbers for these two ties.
The tie with Hertford Town will be subject to any replay in our Trophy game with Concord Rangers.
F A Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round.
Concord Rangers v Boreham Wood. Saturday November 29th. Kick off 3pm.
The Aspect Arena, Thames Road, Canvey Island. SS8 0HH.
Hertfordshire Senior Cup 2nd Round.
Hertford Town v Boreham Wood. Tuesday December 2nd, Kick off 7.45pm.
Hertingfordbury Park, West Street, Hertford. SG13 8EZ.
