A first half goal from Matt Rush was enough to give Boreham Wood a hard-fought win against a determined Woking side, earning them their firth victory in six league matches.

Luke Garrard made one change from Wednesday night’s draw at Scunthorpe United, with Joe Newton coming in for the injured Femi Ilesanmi.

Boreham Wood controlled much of the early possession as the Cards’ defence held firm. Abdul Abdulmalik went on one of his trademark runs after six minutes, but his cross failed to find a white shirt before Timi Odusina managed to clear the danger. On 20 minutes an excellent pass from Zak Brunt picked out Charles Clayden, who headed it across goal into the path of Matt Rush before Tariq Hinds somehow prevented an almost certain goal.

Wood took a deserved lead on 32 minutes when a Chris Bush throw-in was flicked on by Callum Reynolds into the path of Rush, who couldn’t miss from close range. Wood continued to dominate leading up to the break, and Clayden nearly added a second just before the interval, but Cards keeper Will Jaaskelainen was quick to smother him when one on one.

HT: Boreham Wood 1–0 Woking

Woking were better after the break and controlled possession for much of the second half. They had a good chance on 52 minutes when Tariq Hinds fired just wide after a neat turn. The former Braintree defender went close again four minutes later, cutting in and bending his shot just wide of Finlay Herrick’s goal. On the hour mark, Wood skipper Reynolds went close with a header from a Jeff King free kick.

On 69 minutes Abdulmalik squared the ball to Rush, whose shot was well saved by Jaaskelainen. The former Crewe Alexandra keeper denied Rush again two minutes later. On 75 minutes Jamie Andrews forced Herrick into a good save from a deflected effort, and two minutes later Tunji Akinola forced Herrick into another stop. Wood were able to hold out for the victory.

FT: Boreham Wood 1–0 Woking

It was a welcome three points for Luke Garrard’s men, who have now gone 10 league games unbeaten, winning seven of them. They will look to continue this form against Southend United at home on Tuesday night.

Boreham Wood: Herrick, King (Coxe 65), Newton, Reynolds, Bush, O’Connell, Brunt (Richardson 77), White, Clayden (Benton 77), Abdulmalik (Dixon 82), Rush.

Subs not used: Ashmore, Sousa, Henry.

Woking: Jaaskelainen, Hinds, Richards, Okoli, Odusina (Andrews 61), T. Akinola, Forster-Caskey (Sanderson 61), Tim Akinola (O’Brien 40), Beautyman, Ward (Drewe 40), Kelly (Osude 61).

Subs not used: Norcott, Turner.

Man of the Match: Tom White.

Match report by Brett Lewis.