Saturday 4th October | Enterprise National League | Huish Park
Abdul Abdulmalik opened the scoring for Boreham Wood after 21 minutes, before Matt Rush doubled their lead in the final minute of stoppage time.
Town made three changes at the break, hoping to find a way back into the match, but Femi Ilesanmi’s goal after 63 minutes killed any chances of a comeback.
Richard Dryden named an unchanged team from the side that were 2-1 victors away at Sutton United midweek, looking to win a fourth straight game in the Enterprise National League, and a third successive home victory.
But it was the visitors who started the brightest, with Charles Clayden creating a couple of opportunities coming inside from the right.
Finn Cousin-Dawson and Kyle Ferguson put their bodies in front of his two chances in the opening stages of the game, though, forcing two corners which came to nothing.
Boreham Wood came close to taking the lead in the eighth minute through Zak Brunt, whose ambitious strike from distance just skimmed the crossbar after the ball hit a gust of wind.
Storm Amy was at it again eight minutes later, curling a deep cross from Chris Bush goalwards, which worried Jed Ward, but the Yeovil goalkeeper backpedalled towards his goal and was able to claim the delivery.
Luke Garrard’s side found their breakthrough after 21 minutes when Abdulmalik drove inside from the left and bent a right-footed strike past Ward into the far corner.
Before the game got back underway, Town were forced into an early substitution as Josh Sims was unable to continue after receiving medical attention moments before the goal. The 28-year-old was replaced at right wing back by Byron Pendleton.
Pendleton looked lively after being introduced, and used his speed to launch an attack in the 32nd minute, racing into the penalty area before going down, but referee Niall Smith ignored the Glovers’ claims for a penalty.
The visitors went close twice before adding their second moments before the half came to a close.
Jeff King hit the woodwork from a wide free-kick around 25 yards from goal after 34 minutes, and Zak Brunt fired into the side netting two minutes into stoppage time before Rush tapped home in the seventh and final added minute.
Half Time: Yeovil Town 0-2 Boreham Wood
Dryden made three more changes to start the second half in the hope of a spark and a momentum change to begin in the final 45 minutes.
Aaron Jarvis was introduced to pair with Tahvon Campbell in attack, whilst Brett McGavin stepped into midfield and Alex Whittle into the left of the back three.
Junior Morias, Jake Wannell, and Cousin-Dawson made way for the trio.
The first chance of the second half fell the visitors’ way, when Clayden was allowed space to cause problems, as he was in the opening stages of the first half.
A terrific save from Ward kept the deficit Yeovil were chasing to two goals for the time being, getting his fingertips to Clayden’s high curling strike that looked destined for the top corner in the 52nd minute.
Town made their fifth and final substitution three minutes later, as Harvey Greenslade was introduced for the injured James Plant, who was unable to continue after a period of time with the physio.
But it wasn’t long before the visitors had a third, with Ilesanmi being in the right place to tap home a blocked attempt inside the penalty area by Clayden after 63 minutes.
Greenslade came close to pulling a goal back in the 72nd minute, receiving the ball in a great position inside the 18-yard box, but he couldn’t quite get enough whip around his shot, curling the ball just past the post.
Luke McCormick saw an attempt saved by Boreham Wood goalkeeper Finlay Herrick with ten minutes to go, before Ward was required to make another fingertip save in the final minute before stoppage time to prevent a late fourth goal by the visitors.
Full-Time: Yeovil Town 0-3 Boreham Wood
Scorers:
Yeovil Town –
Boreham Wood – Abdul Abdulmalik (20′), Matt Rush (45+7′), Femi Ilesanmi (63′)
The Glovers now turn their attention to the Emirates FA Cup with a trip to Hemel Hempstead Town.
