Second-half goals from Abdul Abdulmalik and Lewis Richardson were enough to give Boreham Wood a comprehensive 2-0 win against an in-form Eastleigh side and stretch their unbeaten run to sixteen games in all competitions.

Luke Garrard made one change from last Saturday’s FA Cup win against Eastbourne Borough, with Erico Sousa returning to the starting line-up in place of Charles Clayden, who dropped to the bench.

The visitors started on the front foot and had the better of the opening exchanges. However, Wood grew into the game as the half wore on. The Spitfires nearly took the lead on 11 minutes when a well-struck Harvey Saunders shot was somehow blocked by Tom White when it looked like creeping in. Nine minutes later, a Kieron Evans shot went over the bar.

On 22 minutes, a poor back pass from Chris Bush allowed Ciaran McGuckin an effort on goal, but his shot was saved by Finlay Herrick in the Wood goal before Evans fired the rebound over the bar. Six minutes later, Jeff King’s free kick was well saved by Spitfires keeper Nick Townsend. Soon afterwards, Charlie O’Connell headed wide with the goal gaping. King forced Townsend into another save on 35 minutes. Two minutes later, a Matt Rush pass found Bush, who was denied by an excellent Townsend save. Wood continued their dominance in terms of possession leading up to the break, and there was a sense of when they would score rather than if.

HT: Boreham Wood 0-0 Eastleigh

Wood came out for the second half with attacking intent. They could have scored three minutes after the restart when, in a goalmouth melee, both Rush and Abdulmalik were denied by some heroic Eastleigh defending. On 53 minutes, Wood took a deserved lead when Abdulmalik—keen to have his own private goal of the season competition—went on a run through the Spitfires midfield before curling a delightful shot past Townsend. It was worth the admission money alone. Eight minutes later, Bush picked out Zak Brunt, who hit a rasping effort which Townsend managed to get a hand to. On 64 minutes, Saunders forced a good save by Herrick.

On 81 minutes, Wood added a well-deserved second, and it was that man Abdulmalik who provided the assist with an excellent run and cross. The ball fell to Lewis Richardson, who made no mistake from close range. It was his second goal for Boreham Wood. Five minutes later, Rush had the ball in the net, but it was ruled out for offside. In the final minute of stoppage time, a lovely flick and shot from substitute Luke Norris forced Townsend into another good save to keep the score down.

FT: Boreham Wood 2-0 Eastleigh

While Wood weren’t at their best, it was a comprehensive win to continue their incredible run. It is an important week coming up now for Luke Garrard’s men, and the away games at York City and Forest Green Rovers will show him how far his team has come.

Boreham Wood: Herrick, King (Coxe 75), Newton, Reynolds, Bush, O’Connell, Brunt (Clayden 87), White, Sousa (Richardson 69), Abdulmalik (Norris 86), Rush.

Subs not used: Dixon, Benton, Henry.

Eastleigh: Townsend, Davis, Vokins (Harris 64), Fernandes, Eweka, Evans (Lundstram 64), Taylor (Skinner 64), Humphreys (Waruih 90+1), McGuckin, Cousins, Saunders (Underhill 90+1).

Subs not used: McNamara, Pierre.

Man of the Match: Abdul Abdulmalik.

Match report written by Brett Lewis.