Boreham Wood rounded off their pre-season campaign with their second win in a row, with an excellent 3–1 victory in East London against National League South side Dagenham & Redbridge. Goals from Luke Norris, Abdul Abdulmalik and Matt Rush were enough to give Luke Garrard’s men the win.
Boreham Wood got off to a positive start when Charles Clayden had the ball in the Daggers’ net on four minutes, but his effort was ruled out for offside. Luke Norris headed over the bar five minutes later.
On 19 minutes, Daggers’ keeper Sam Howes denied Femi Ilesanmi when the Wood left-back was through on goal. A minute later, Charlie O’Connell was just off target with a free kick from 25 yards out. On 22 minutes, Callum Reynolds’ header was well saved by Howes.
On 32 minutes, Boreham Wood took a deserved lead when Tom Whelan’s inch-perfect pass found Luke Norris, who finished well past keeper Howes for his first goal since returning to the club. On 43 minutes, Abdul Abdulmalik went on an incredible run and was well within his rights to have a shot at the end of it but unselfishly laid it off to Whelan, who fired wide. Just before the break, Clayden found Abdulmalik, who once again played in Whelan, who again was off target.
HT: Dagenham & Redbridge 0-1 Boreham Wood
Wood continued their good football in the second period, and Jeff King went close four minutes after the restart, but his well-struck shot was blocked by Daggers’ defender Sam Graham. On 53 minutes, Wood doubled their lead with an excellent turn and shot from Abdulmalik. It was no more than he deserved. Six minutes later, a lovely move involving King, Callum Reynolds and Tom Whelan ended with Abdulmalik going on a typical mazy run before shooting just wide.
In a rare attempt at goal for the hosts, Rafiq Khaleel fired over on 61 minutes. Three minutes later, an inch-perfect pass from Chris Bush found Clayden, who was denied brilliantly by keeper Howes, before Abdulmalik volleyed the rebound just wide. On 67 minutes, the Daggers pulled a goal back when Donovan Wilson rounded Nathan Ashmore before slotting the ball home.
On 79 minutes, Charlie O’Connell miskicked a volley, but the rebound fell to Junior Dixon, who fired straight at keeper Howes. On 82 minutes, Wood substitute Matt Rush added a third with a pinpoint finish after an Erico Sousa cross. On 88 minutes, a rare defensive mistake from Reynolds allowed Dylan Stephenson a shot, which Ashmore was equal to.
FT: Dagenham & Redbridge 1-3 Boreham Wood
It was a nice way for Boreham Wood to end their pre-season campaign. While results in pre-season haven’t been great, there is no doubt Luke Garrard’s men have got better as it’s gone on, leading nicely into the National League opener at home against Rochdale next Saturday.
Dagenham & Redbridge: Howes, Lusala (Burley 46), Graham, Panter, Nguessan (Rendall 85), Wilson (Scott 69), Broad (Trialist A), Young, Khaleel, Hemmings (Stephenson 69), Dieng (Harrack 77).
Subs not used: Nightingale.
Boreham Wood: Ashmore, King (Coxe 77), Ilesanmi (Newton 84), Reynolds, Bush, O’Connell, Whelan, Sousa (Benton 84), Abdulmalik (Dixon 77), Clayden, Norris (Rush 63).
Subs not used: Cnacoschi.
Man of the Match: Abdul Abdulmalik.
Match report written by Brett Lewis.
