William Bewsey
9:46am, Thu 23rd Nov 2023
Boreham Wood v Woking
Vanarama National League
Saturday 25th November 2023
15:00 Kick-Off
Woking face a tough task on Saturday when they travel to a Boreham Wood side struggling for form and confidence.
After defeat to Chesterfield, Ian Dyer will be hoping the likes of Luke Wilkinson and Dennon Lewis are available after the former could potentially rejoin the squad following injury, whilst Lewis went off on Saturday against Oldham with an injury. Woking will also be boosted by the return of Rhys Browne from international duty with Antigua and Barbuda.
This could potentially be Dyer's last game in charge with the hunt for a new manager ongoing, so he will hope to leave his caretaker position on a high against a side who like Woking find themselves at the opposite end of the table to last season.
Opposition Watch
Boreham Wood were dramatically edged out by Notts County at Meadow Lane by a 3-2 scoreline after extra time in last season's playoff semi final following an impressive 2-1 away win at Barnet in the eliminators. Much of the same was expected from Luke Garrard's side this season, after a summer in which as usual there were multiple outgoings and incomings. Out went the likes of Woking legend and Boreham Wood hero Mark Ricketts, defender Will Evans, midfielder Josh Rees, forward Danny Newton and of course Dennon Lewis, who were replaced by players like Timmy Abraham from Walsall, striker Kwesi Appiah from Crawley, Tom Whelan from Chesterfield as well as Mo Sagaf and Angelo Balanta from Dagenham.
However, much like the Cards, the Wood have struggled with injuries thus far, meaning Garrard has had to invest further in the likes of former Woking loanee Billy Sass-Davies and wing back Charles Clayden, as well as Matt Robinson on loan from the Cards. Results have reflected this struggle, with the Wood in 20th place, having won just four of their 21 games so far, drawing nine and losing eight. This has put pressure on the popular Garrard, who gave a very glum interview after defeat to Eastleigh in midweek, citing a lack of fight from his squad as a reason why they are on poor form.
Picking up just 10 points from their 10 home games this season, winning twice, the Wood will look to their key players such as the in form Erico Sousa, who has scored four in his last six games, whilst Lee Ndlovu is top scorer with five so far this season.
Last Time Out
A Rhys Browne double gave the Cards a share of the spoils in February of this year as the sides drew 2-2 at the Laithwaite. Josh Rees scored twice either side of half time to put the Wood in a commanding position, but Browne's equaliser led to a stalemate finish.
The reverse fixture was won 1-0 by the Cards at Meadow Park in November 2022 thanks to an early Reece Grego-Cox strike, the same scoreline they were victorious by in Darren Sarll's first game in charge in March 2022 thanks to a Max Kretzschmar penalty.
Since 2010, there have been twenty games between the sides, with the Cards winning six, Boreham Wood winning six and eight draws.
Around the Ground
Meadow Park is located about 15-20 minutes from Elstree and Borehamwood train station, served by Thameslink trains from Wimbledon and London St Pancras. The town has a couple of pubs, including a Wetherspoons, but the Wellington just a few minutes from the station is recommended.
Woking fans will be segregated and will have to use the away turnstiles located off Brook Road, which also has a pay and display car park for away fans to use. Fans will be housed in part of the seated West Stand as well as the South Terrace behind the goal.
Ticket prices are as follows:
Adult – £20.00
OAP – £18.00
U16 – £12.00
U12 – £6.00
Please note that tickets are subject to a £2 increase on the gate, so online purchasing is recommended.
Tickets can be purchased here.
The Cards Trust are running a coach to the game, details are available here.
