A blistering first-half performance from Boreham Wood secured fifth place in the Vanarama National League table and a home match in the Play-Off Eliminator on Tuesday night against Dorking Wanderers. First-half goals from Matt Rush and Charles Clayden, followed by an early second-half goal from Femi Ilesanmi, put Boreham Wood 3–0 up before Jack Wood pulled one back for the Angels.

Luke Garrard made one change from Easter Monday’s win against Enfield Town, with the fit-again Erico Sousa returning to the starting line-up in place of Tyrone Marsh. Top scorer Kwesi Appiah made a welcome return to the bench.

Wood got off to a fast start, and Tonbridge keeper Matt Rowley was called into action twice in the first 10 minutes. Charlie O’Connell was denied after four minutes, and Clayden three minutes later. Abdul Abdulmalik, who was running through the home side’s defence with real menace, forced Rowley into another good save on 16 minutes. Rush went close two minutes later, but Rowley gathered it easily. Abdulmalik fired wide ten minutes after that.

On 29 minutes, Wood took a deserved lead when Rush fired home from close range after some mesmerising wing play from Abdulmalik. Seven minutes later, Abdulmalik was off target with a shot. On 41 minutes, Wood doubled their lead when an excellent flick by Rush set Clayden on his way, and he finished well past Rowley.

HT: Tonbridge Angels 0–2 Boreham Wood

Four minutes after the restart, Wood grabbed their third when Rush’s header hit the post and Ilesanmi made no mistake from the rebound. Four minutes later, Clayden had the ball in the Tonbridge net again, but the linesman flagged for offside. On 53 minutes, Ilesanmi nearly scored again but was denied by a fine save from Rowley. With the game seemingly won, Luke Garrard rang the changes to give certain players an extended rest before the play-offs. Boreham Wood subsequently lost some of their momentum.

Tonbridge started to show some spirit. Liam Vincent was just off target from outside the area, and on 70 minutes, Nazir Bakrin forced a good save from Nathan Ashmore. A minute later, the hosts pulled a goal back with a fine run and finish from Jack Wood. A minute after that, Kwesi Appiah crossed for Tom Whelan, who fired over the bar. On 73 minutes, Clayden had a shot well saved by Rowley. On 85 minutes, Jeremy Santos tried his luck from distance, but it sailed just over Ashmore’s crossbar.

FT: Tonbridge Angels 1–3 Boreham Wood

With five wins in a row, Boreham Wood will fancy their chances against Dorking Wanderers in the Play-Off Eliminator in front of a packed, loud Meadow Park.

Tonbridge Angels: Rowley, Akehurst, Nelson, Wood, Berry, Fielding, Ward, Vincent, Bakrin, Cook, Sutcliffe.

Subs not used: Tyie, Dabre, Richardson, Santos, Ottaway.

Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Coxe, Ilesamni (Marsh 62), Reynolds (Bush 73), Yarney, O’Connell, Whelan, Clayden, Sousa (Richardson 56), Abdulmalik (Sagaf 73), Rush (Appiah 56).

Man of the Match: Charles Clayden.

Match report written by Brett Lewis.