Boreham Wood suffered a 3-1 defeat away to Billericay Town in their latest pre-season outing, despite a thunderous first-half strike from Aaron Henry and a spirited attacking performance. On a mild evening in Essex, Luke Garrard’s side showed plenty of intent going forward but were undone by clinical finishing from the hosts and a standout performance by Billericay goalkeeper Sam Donkin.
Luke Garrard made four changes to the team that started Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal XI, with Ilesanmi, O’Connell, Dixon, and Benton returning to the starting lineup.
The game got off to a lively start with the Blues threatening early. Elliot Long fired over the bar inside six minutes before finding the breakthrough in the 15th minute, capitalising on a defensive lapse to slot past Nathan Ashmore and give the home side a 1-0 lead.
Wood responded with composure, gradually growing into the contest. Junior Dixon looked sharp up front, twice forcing Donkin into action as he tested the Billericay stopper from close range. A brief stoppage midway through the half saw Cameron Coxe receive treatment, but it didn’t halt the momentum Wood were building.
The equaliser arrived just before the interval, and in spectacular fashion. New signing Aaron Henry picked up the ball in space and unleashed a stunning strike from distance into the top right corner, marking his first goal for the club in emphatic style.
HT: Billericay Town 1–1 Boreham Wood
Garrard made a change at the break, introducing Trialist A for Callum Reynolds, but it was the hosts who struck first after the restart. Elliot Long bagged his second of the afternoon in the 53rd minute, restoring Billericay’s lead with a tidy finish.
Henry looked to replicate his earlier heroics soon after, stepping up for a free-kick that narrowly cleared the bar. Junior Dixon then came agonisingly close to levelling again, rattling the crossbar after creating space brilliantly inside the area.
Tom Whelan and Henry both saw further efforts fly just wide, while Whelan also forced a fine stop from Donkin after a clever solo run. Despite their dominance in the final third, Wood couldn’t find a way through and were punished with ten minutes to play when Kelman added a third for the hosts on the break, sealing the result.
FT: Billericay Town 3–1 Boreham Wood
Though the final scoreline was disappointing, Garrard will take encouragement from the number of chances created and another strong display from Aaron Henry. As pre-season continues to build towards the National League opener, this encounter offered valuable lessons and fitness for the squad.
Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Coxe (King 60), Ilesanmi (Newton 60), Bush, O’Connell, Sousa (Clayden 60), Dixon, Abdulmalik (Whelan 60), Benton, Henry, Reynolds (Trialist A 46).
Subs not used: Trialist B.
Billericay Town: Donkin, Barnum-Bobb (Blackman 29 (Hutt 88)), Johnson (Miller-Rodney 65), Scott (Appiah 83), Long (Ashbourne 83), Miller (Nash 65), Akinwande (Kelman 71), Owen (Doyle 65), Howard (Cerulli 65), Panton, Saddick-Aliu (Porter 65).
Man of the match: Aaron Henry.
Match report written by Dom Gadd.
