OPPOSITION FOCUS | Boreham Wood (A)

Our penultimate away game this season, it's local and it's a big one! The last time we faced The Wood, they came out 4-3 winners, with a last minute winner from Matt Rush. Boreham Wood will be looking to get all 3 points out of this match-up with their playoff hopes hanging in the balance, with both Maidstone and Weston-Super-Mare on 74 and 72 points respectively. The Tudors will be looking to get their own back since their last loss at Home. Let's learn a little more about The Wood.

The Key Info

Founded: 1948

Nickname: The Wood

Manager: Luke Garrard

Stadium: Meadow Park

Capacity: 4500

The History

Formed in 1948 following the merge of Boreham Rovers and Royal Retournez, Boreham

Wood began their life progressing through the Mid-Herts, Parthenon, Spartan and Athenian

Leagues. Their election to the Isthmian Football League came in the 1974/75 season,

winning the Isthmian League Division Two title which earned them a five year stay in the

Premier Division. The 2009/10 season saw the Wood promoted to the Conference South for

the first time, under the management of Ian Allinson, father to the Tudors Head Coach Lee

Allinson as well as being part of the Management Team. After consolidating their position in

the National League South, Boreham Wood eventually earned promotion to the fifth tier of

the English football period in the 2014/15 season, beating Whitehawk in the final. They have

appeared in the National League playoffs twice, losing in the 2017/18 final against Tranmere

Rovers before losing in the semi final against Notts County in a thrilling encounter in the

2022/23 season. Despite relegation last season, Boreham Wood look to make an instant

return to National League football.

The Manager: Luke Garrard

Luke Garrard has been a fantastic servant to Boreham Wood, representing the club in both

his playing and managerial career. Having only managed Boreham Wood, taking the

managerial role during the 2015/16 season, he remained in charge of the Wood until the end of last season, announcing his departure. His time away from the Wood was short-lived, as Garrard was reappointed to replace Ross Jenkins as Head Coach. Garrard has grown throughout his time managing the Wood, leading Boreham Wood to a National League Playoff Semi Final, where they narrowly lost in extra time to Notts County.

LAST TWO:

5/4/25

3-0 WIN v Salisbury

29/3/25

0-4 LOSS v Maidstone

NEXT TWO:

18/4/25

AWAY v Slough Town

21/4/25

HOME v Enfield Town

Star Man: Kwesi Appiah

Kwesi Appiah has been exceptional for Boreham Wood this season, currently holding the

title as top scorer with 19 league goals so far. Since joining the Wood at the beginning of the

2023/24 season, Appiah has a total of 22 goals in 39 appearances over the two seasons he

has played at the club.

The striker learned his trade through the non-league system in the early stages of his career,

representing Ebbsfleet, Weymouth and Kettering before he had his first taste of action in the

football league. He joined Crystal Palace, which saw him make some Championship

appearances before being loaned to a handful of clubs to build up his football league

experience. Following the 2022/23 season, Appiah made the move to Boreham Wood, which

has seen the striker flourish in front of goal this season.

With his goal tally now up to 24 for the season, he is surely someone that the Tudors defence will be looking to stop.

The Skipper: Jack Payne

Jack Payne began his career at Gillingham, rising through their youth setup before making a

transfer to Peterborough United. He made a significant contribution for the Posh, helping to

take them to the League One Playoffs. After appearances at Leyton Orient and Blackpool

followed, Payne moved to the non league level, with appearances at Eastleigh and

Ebbsfleet. After a season at Crawley Town, Payne moved to Boreham Wood, where he has

made himself a mainstay in the Wood lineup. Entering his third season as a Boreham Wood

player, Payne will look to use his experience to help Boreham Wood to make an instant

return to the National League.

LAST TIME OUT v The Tudors

The reverse fixture of this match up was no short of goals, with the score ending in a tight 4-3 with the visitiors clinching the win through Matt Rush in the 87'. The Tudors will be looking to improve their current run of draws with a win, and hopefully earning back some bragging rights in a somewhat Hertfordshire derby.

Not long now Tudors, lets hear you loud and proud. See you at Meadow Park tomorrow afternoon! 🫡