Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Wood 71
Boreham Wood (2) 3 Rush 28 Clayden 41 Ilesanmi 48
Attendance: 1,202
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/6,651
Sadly for our visitors, Boreham Wood, no helicopter commissioned by the National League, was needed to land in the centre circle, despite them easing to a comfortable win at the Halcyon Wealth Longmead Stadium. Their unlikely route to the title was denied by results elsewhere, and was effectively ended within the first 10 minutes of the game at Truro City. They will have to be content with a home game in the eliminators against Dorking Wanderers.
The Wood fans travelled in their numbers into Kent, one would guess more in hope than expectation, and their favourites put on a first half display of dominance that suggests they will go at least go into the play-offs with momentum.
Scott Wagstaff has faced a testing baptism to management, but one that he will be willing to commit to in a year’s time after a final season of his playing career. “It was a difficult situation we came into but it has given me the bug to eventually want this a little bit more. The experience has been brilliant and I thank Sophie and the board for giving me the opportunity to do that and we will see what the future holds.”
Boreham Wood were fast out of the traps and Matt Rowley was needed to deny Charlie O’Connell and Tom Whelan before they hit the front on 28 minutes when a driven shot from Abdul Abdulmelik was turned in at the far post by the predatory, ex-Angels loanee, Matt Rush.
Four minutes before the break Wood doubled their advantage when Charlie Clayden was sent clear with an exquisite through ball from Rush to slide the ball under the advancing Rowley.
Three minutes into the second half the game was put beyond doubt as a far post header from Rush came back off the woodwork for Femi Ilesanmi to turn in from close range.
The Angels mounted a spirited second half, following the goal, with Nazir Bakrin’s header going narrowly wide and the same player being thwarted by Nathan Ashmore before Liam Vincent’s cross into the box saw Wood turn and fire into the bottom corner.
Late efforts from substitutes Mackenzie Richardson and Jeremy Santos might have reduced the deficit further but it was not to be and the curtain was brought down on the season.
Scott added: “It has been difficult, we have been down to bare bones a lot of the time and I don’t want to use that as an excuse because the boys have been excellent for me, but you look at the squad and it is very thin, we’ve had injuries here and there. I didn’t want to play because I didn’t think that was fair on the boys to be on the pitch and not have someone looking on from the sidelines, so I took myself back from that. But the boys can be proud of what they have achieved.”
"I'm absolutely delighted and honoured to be awarded the Austin Verini and to have my name inscribed on the shield alongside many illustrious names is very humbling. Thank-you to the Sophie and her board, I cannot put into words, not good for a media person, just how much this means to me."
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