Boreham Wood secured their third National League win in a row with an excellent performance, especially in the first half, against an Altrincham side who will be there or thereabouts in the play-off conversation this season. First-half goals by Erico Sousa and a Zak Brunt penalty were enough to give Wood a three-goal half-time lead before a second-half goal from Jimmy Knowles for the visitors completed the scoring.

Luke Garrard made one change to last Saturday’s win against Morecambe, with skipper Callum Reynolds returning to the starting line-up at the back. Lewis Richardson missed out up front due to injury.

Boreham Wood were outstanding in the first half and attacked the visitors from the off. They forced a succession of corners early on, and Matt Rush forced Robins keeper Luke Hutchinson into a good save on three minutes with a fiercely struck shot. Wood continued to dominate, and, on 15 minutes, some lovely interplay between Abdul Abdulmalik and Erico Sousa created a chance for Femi Ilesanmi, who cut in on his right foot before firing just wide. Two minutes later, Wood took a deserved lead when an excellent run and pass from Zak Brunt picked out Sousa, who finished well past Hutchinson in the Robins goal.

On 25 minutes, Chris Bush’s well-struck free kick was saved by Hutchinson. A minute later, an excellent run and pass from Abdulmalik picked out Ilesanmi, who was denied by a good save from Hutchinson. Boreham Wood were not to be denied and on 27 minutes, Sousa got his second with a fierce drive which gave Hutchinson no chance in the Robins goal. On 40 minutes, an outstanding pass from the back by Bush picked out Matt Rush, who couldn’t get a clean strike on the ball, and it was easily gathered by Hutchinson. Three minutes later, following an excellent run by Abdulmalik, he was brought down in the area by Sam Barnes for a penalty. Brunt made no mistake from twelve yards, sending Hutchinson the wrong way to give Boreham Wood a three-goal lead going into the break.

HT: Boreham Wood 3-0 Altrincham

The visitors were much better after the break and started the second half showing attacking intent. They nearly pulled a goal back four minutes after the restart when Kahrel Reddin’s cross was deflected goalwards, and it was only the feet of Wood goalkeeper Finlay Herrick that somehow denied the Robins. On 51 minutes, Wood nearly added a fourth when some excellent approach play from Sousa created a chance for Brunt, who fired just wide. The visitors pulled a goal back on 57 minutes when an excellent strike from Jimmy Knowles gave Herrick no chance in the Wood goal.

On 69 minutes, Knowles came close to getting his second but was denied by a great save from Herrick. Two minutes later, an excellent run from Abdulmalik played in Brunt, but he was unable to get full control of the ball and so could not get a shot away. On 75 minutes, Elliot Osborne forced Herrick into another save, this time from a free kick outside the area. Five minutes later, Rush forced Hutchinson into a good save, and a minute later Brunt forced the Robins keeper into a better one with a fiercely struck shot which he somehow pushed away. On 84 minutes, Sam Barnes’ header was cleared off the line by Bush.

The introduction of Cameron Coxe, Charles Clayden and Jon Benton settled things down for Boreham Wood, and their cause was helped when Luca Weaver was given a straight red card a minute into stoppage time for a foul on Brunt. Weaver had only just come on. Amazingly, Weaver was the fourth player to be sent off against Boreham Wood in eight matches this season. Junior Dixon went close to adding a fourth deep into stoppage time before referee Aji Ajibola called a halt to proceedings.

FT: Boreham Wood 3-1 Altrincham

It was a good day at the office for Boreham Wood. The football in the first half was as good as Wood fans have seen in a long time, and it shows how far the team has come this season. While the visitors were better after the break, Wood always looked like they had another goal in them. Luke Garrard will want this form to continue away at Boston United next Saturday.

Boreham Wood: Herrick, King (Coxe 63), Ilesanmi, Reynolds, Bush, O’Connell, Brunt, White, Sousa (Benton 84), Abdulmalik (Clayden 76), Rush (Dixon 84).

Subs not used: Ashmore, Newton, Henry.

Altrincham: Hutchinson, Banks, Golden, Barnes (Sassi 89), Baines, Osborne, Marriott, Crawford, Reddin, Kirk (Crankshaw 56), Knowles.

Subs not used: Reed, Cooper, Kosylo, Fallon.

Man of the Match: Erico Sousa.

Match report written by Brett Lewis.