Match Preview | Boreham Wood (Play-offs)

The Bees host Boreham Wood at The Hive on Tuesday evening in the first round of the play-offs

The winner will take on Notts County at Meadow Lane on Sunday (12:30pm KO) in the play-off semi-final. 

Nickname: The Wood

Founded: 1948

Ground: Meadow Bank

Manager: Luke Garrard

Top Scorer: Lee Ndlovu

League Position: 6

Form: DWLLW

One to watch: Nathan Ashmore

The Boreham Wood keeper has been a standout performer in the National League for many seasons.

Ashmore and Boreham Wood had the best defence record in the league this season, conceding just 40 goals in 46 games.

His senior career started at Havant & Waterlooville before a successful loan spell at Gosport Borough turned into a permanent move. Ashmore helped Gosport to successive promotions to National League South before being snapped up by Ebbsfleet United in March 2016 to help with their promotion push to the National League, although Ebbsfleet would have to rely on the play-offs after finishing second behind Maidenhead United in 2016/17. Ashmore would sign on loan for the Magpies nearly five years later. At Ebbsfleet, Ashmore won the Player of the Season award two years running.

In the dugout: Luke Garrard

On 14 October 2015, Garrard was appointed manager, following the resignation of Ian Allinson, making him the youngest boss in all of England’s top five divisions.

In Garrard’s third season in charge, he led Boreham Wood to the National League play-offs for the first time. His side defeated AFC Fylde and Sutton United to set up a play-off final with Tranmere Rovers at Wembley Stadium in which Garrard’s side were defeated 2–1. Also in this season, Boreham Wood defeated Football League opposition for the first time in their history when they defeated League One side Blackpool in the FA Cup First Round.

In the 2021–22 season, Boreham Wood reached the Fifth Round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history. Having reached the Third Round, his side defeated League One side AFC Wimbledon 2–0 before winning away at Championship promotion chasers AFC Bournemouth 1–0. His side were eventually defeated 2–0 at Premier League club Everton.