Boreham Wood 2-1 Eastleigh
BOREHAM WOOD v EASTLEIGH
FRIDAY 22nd APRIL
Blue Square Bet South
Report by Ray Murphy
There was still some optimism before this lunchtime Good Friday kick off, that if Eastleigh could win their remaining three fixtures then the aim for a promotion play off place could still be taken. After another disappointing performance, though still mathematically possible, that play off place will not come to fruition this season.
With Chris Holland injured, Luke Byles switched to play alongside Tom Jordan at the heart of the defence and Brett Poate returned to the side at left back for his first appearance for five weeks though this cruelly being cut short again through injury after only nine minutes. Warren Goodhind returned to the back four following his suspension whilst Shaun McAuley came into the side with Richard Gillespie and Ian Herring both dropping down to the bench.
It was a very slow start on a hot afternoon with Poate’s departure happening before either goalkeeper was called in to action. The substitution meant an early change of personnel too for manager Ian Baird with Byles reverting to left back thus Danny Smith dropping into a centre back role and Herring slotting in to a midfield position.
The first chance of the afternoon arrived on fourteen minutes. The home sides David Bryant racing on to a through ball where his cross into Sam Hurrell saw Hurrell’s attempt on goal blocked. Two minutes later Eastleigh had their first attempt with Jamie Slabber seeing his turn but weak shot saved by home goalkeeper Elvijs Putnins.
Eastleigh went ahead on nineteen minutes. After Tony Taggart and Goodhind finally handing the ball to Herring to produce a long throw some twenty yards from the goal line, Herring's launched throw was flicked on by Jordan and Slabber stooped at the far post to head home his twenty-seventh goal of the season.
The lead lasted five minutes and was lost in controversial circumstances. Jordan hesitated in clearing the ball thirty-yards from goal; Hurrell took full advantage and dispossessed the Eastleigh skipper. Hurrell ran on and knocked the ball past the advancing Jason Matthews with Hurrell falling to the ground from Matthews' challenge, referee Nigel Lugg, celebrating his birthday, deciding there was contact enough to award Boreham Wood a penalty. Matthews escaped with a caution. Boreham Wood skipper Mario Noto slotting home the penalty.
Jordan saw a header from a Richard Graham free kick go over the bar on thirty-three minutes then on thirty-eight minutes Matthews was off his line quickly again to save at the feet of Bryant. With the first half in the second minute of stoppage time Eastleigh found themselves behind. Goodhind fouled Hurrell wide on the Boreham Wood left flank. From the free kick Noto whipped the ball into the area where everybody watched as the ball nestled in the back of the Eastleigh net with defenders and strikers alike rooted to their spot.
The second half saw numerous half chances for both sides. Eastleigh throwing caution to the wind as the game progressed even Matthews turning up in the Boreham Wood area for a corner and then playing as temporary right back as Eastleigh pressed for an equaliser.
Two minutes into the second period ex-Eastleigh loanee defender then with Portsmouth Luke Wilkinson saw a diving header from Noto’s free kick go just wide. On sixty-three minutes Byles' cross was met by Tony Taggart but again just off target.
On sixty-six minutes Gareth Risbridger headed Noto’s corner wide then a minute later Matthews denied Boreham Wood substitute Ola Sogbanmu who decided to shoot low rather than lift the ball over the advancing Matthews.
Eastleigh were all out attack to their credit and leaving themselves vulnerable on the break. From one such event in the seventy-first minute Boreham Wood broke quickly, Noto leading the counter attack. Nicky Nicolau's cross into the Eastleigh area saw Noto having made some sixty yards to get on the end of the full backs delivery but Noto’s diving header was just wide.
Bryant collected another through ball on seventy-three minutes, Eastleigh appealing for offside; the striker running through but again Matthews was out to save at his feet. Jamie Brown offering a good contribution on his introduction to the action saw a shot blocked on seventy-four minutes.
Nicolau saw a free kick bounce against the bar as Boreham Wood threatened to add a third whilst the closest Eastleigh came to grabbing an equaliser was in the second minute of stoppage time when Jordan’s header from a Taggart free kick hit the bar.
With Chris Holland injured, Luke Byles switched to play alongside Tom Jordan at the heart of the defence and Brett Poate returned to the side at left back for his first appearance for five weeks though this cruelly being cut short again through injury after only nine minutes. Warren Goodhind returned to the back four following his suspension whilst Shaun McAuley came into the side with Richard Gillespie and Ian Herring both dropping down to the bench.
It was a very slow start on a hot afternoon with Poate’s departure happening before either goalkeeper was called in to action. The substitution meant an early change of personnel too for manager Ian Baird with Byles reverting to left back thus Danny Smith dropping into a centre back role and Herring slotting in to a midfield position.
The first chance of the afternoon arrived on fourteen minutes. The home sides David Bryant racing on to a through ball where his cross into Sam Hurrell saw Hurrell’s attempt on goal blocked. Two minutes later Eastleigh had their first attempt with Jamie Slabber seeing his turn but weak shot saved by home goalkeeper Elvijs Putnins.
Eastleigh went ahead on nineteen minutes. After Tony Taggart and Goodhind finally handing the ball to Herring to produce a long throw some twenty yards from the goal line, Herring's launched throw was flicked on by Jordan and Slabber stooped at the far post to head home his twenty-seventh goal of the season.
The lead lasted five minutes and was lost in controversial circumstances. Jordan hesitated in clearing the ball thirty-yards from goal; Hurrell took full advantage and dispossessed the Eastleigh skipper. Hurrell ran on and knocked the ball past the advancing Jason Matthews with Hurrell falling to the ground from Matthews' challenge, referee Nigel Lugg, celebrating his birthday, deciding there was contact enough to award Boreham Wood a penalty. Matthews escaped with a caution. Boreham Wood skipper Mario Noto slotting home the penalty.
Jordan saw a header from a Richard Graham free kick go over the bar on thirty-three minutes then on thirty-eight minutes Matthews was off his line quickly again to save at the feet of Bryant. With the first half in the second minute of stoppage time Eastleigh found themselves behind. Goodhind fouled Hurrell wide on the Boreham Wood left flank. From the free kick Noto whipped the ball into the area where everybody watched as the ball nestled in the back of the Eastleigh net with defenders and strikers alike rooted to their spot.
The second half saw numerous half chances for both sides. Eastleigh throwing caution to the wind as the game progressed even Matthews turning up in the Boreham Wood area for a corner and then playing as temporary right back as Eastleigh pressed for an equaliser.
Two minutes into the second period ex-Eastleigh loanee defender then with Portsmouth Luke Wilkinson saw a diving header from Noto’s free kick go just wide. On sixty-three minutes Byles' cross was met by Tony Taggart but again just off target.
On sixty-six minutes Gareth Risbridger headed Noto’s corner wide then a minute later Matthews denied Boreham Wood substitute Ola Sogbanmu who decided to shoot low rather than lift the ball over the advancing Matthews.
Eastleigh were all out attack to their credit and leaving themselves vulnerable on the break. From one such event in the seventy-first minute Boreham Wood broke quickly, Noto leading the counter attack. Nicky Nicolau's cross into the Eastleigh area saw Noto having made some sixty yards to get on the end of the full backs delivery but Noto’s diving header was just wide.
Bryant collected another through ball on seventy-three minutes, Eastleigh appealing for offside; the striker running through but again Matthews was out to save at his feet. Jamie Brown offering a good contribution on his introduction to the action saw a shot blocked on seventy-four minutes.
Nicolau saw a free kick bounce against the bar as Boreham Wood threatened to add a third whilst the closest Eastleigh came to grabbing an equaliser was in the second minute of stoppage time when Jordan’s header from a Taggart free kick hit the bar.
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