Wood succumbed to a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Weston-super-Mare due to a first-half goal from Ollie Chamberlain. It was Boreham Wood’s third defeat in four league matches as they fell behind in their efforts to secure automatic promotion.

Luke Garrard made one change from Monday’s victory at Hemel Hempstead Town, with David Agbontohoma replacing the suspended Chris Bush in defence.

Boreham Wood were moving the ball around nicely in the opening period against a physical Weston-super-Mare outfit. Tom Whelan struck a free kick into the wall on six minutes and had another shot deflected into the arms of Seagulls keeper Max Harris six minutes later. On 16 minutes, Weston forward Sam Pearson had a good run and shot, which went just wide of Nathan Ashmore’s goal. On 24 minutes, Wood had a good opportunity to take the lead when Jon Benton played a great ball to Jayden Richardson, who fired narrowly wide with the keeper beaten.

The visitors took the lead on 31 minutes when Ollie Chamberlain’s shot went through Ashmore’s legs into the back of the net. Soon afterwards, the match was held up for a few minutes due to a “clash of heads” between Weston’s Ollie Bray and Callum Reynolds. Surely, it was only the prolonged treatment to Bray that prevented a straight red card for the Seagulls player. While Bray was patched up, Reynolds had to come off a few minutes later. When the match restarted, Appiah headed just wide on 40 minutes from a Femi Ilesamni cross. Four minutes later, Richardson had a header cleared off the line. Soon after, the patched-up Ollie Bray struck a dipping effort from distance, which cannoned off the upright.

HT: Boreham Wood 0-1 Weston-super-Mare

Wood had it all to do in the second half, but despite a lot of possession, they were unable to really threaten the Seagulls’ goal after the interval. Five minutes after the restart, Gus Mafuta fired over from just outside the area. Jon Benton did the same four minutes later. On 70 minutes, Richardson blocked a Sam Pearson shot, and four minutes later, Appiah had what seemed like a clear shot at goal, but Josh Seberry came out of nowhere to clear the ball away.

On 76 minutes, Benton once again shot over the bar from a good position. Four minutes later, Matt Rush was denied by keeper Harris. On 83 minutes, Benton had another shot, but this time it was deflected off the boot of Appiah, wide of the goal. The Seagulls, to their credit, had a definite game plan on how to defend their lead, and they were well marshalled by their outstanding skipper Emlyn Lewis. Even when Wood had Appiah, Rush, and Junior Dixon on the pitch, as well as Erico Sousa and Abdul Abdulmalik running at them, Weston didn’t look in any trouble. They were ultimately good value for the three points.

FT: Boreham Wood 0-1 Weston-super-Mare

It was a disappointing day for Luke Garrard’s side, who didn’t really get going. They have it all to do now, and three points away at Hornchurch on Tuesday night is a must.

Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Richardson, Ilesamni, Reynolds (Sousa 45+3), Agbontohoma (Dixon 80), O’Connell, Mafuta (Abdulmalik 64), Whelan, Benton, Rush, Appiah.

Subs not used: Sagaf, Marsh.

Weston-super-Mare: Harris, Thomas, Chamberlain, Seberry, Lewis, Kadji, Dodd (Pope 82), Borges, Coulson, Bray (Reid 61), Pearson (Jenkins 86).

Subs not used: Avery, Lewis.

Man of the Match: Femi Ilesamni.

Match report written by Brett Lewis.