Match Preview | Boreham Wood v Barnet FC

Barnet will be looking to continue their positive start to the season as they make the short trip to Meadow Park where they’ll face local rivals Boreham Wood this Saturday (2nd September,15:00 KO).

So, What’s the Buzz?
Barnet responded well to their disappointing result last Saturday, against Dagenham & Redbridge who dealt The Bees’ first loss of the season, by beating Ebbsfleet United in a pulsating 3-2 affair on Monday afternoon. Barnet created numerous chances as manager Dean Brennan alluded to in his post-match interview stating “It should’ve been double figures” which will be pleasing for supporters.

Club Profile
Club Name: Boreham Wood FC
Nickname: The Wood
Founded: 1948
Ground: Meadow Park
Manager: Luke Garrard
League Position:16th
Form: WLDDL

Opposition Report
Boreham Wood was the team to end Barnet’s promotion dreams last season with a 2-1 win at The Hive in the eliminator of the play-offs, after finishing behind The Bees in 6th place with 2 fewer points. They went on to lose against eventual winners Notts County 3-2 AET in the semi-final, having led the game 2-0 at one stage. This season though hasn’t started in the way they would have hoped, having won just 1 of the opening 6 games. The Wood usually plays in a 3-5-2 formation with 4-4-2 being another popular choice making space in the middle hard to find, which can play into Barnet’s hands as The Bees are most effective in the wide positions.

One to Watch: Lee Ndlovu
The 28-year-old number 9 had a great debut season last campaign for The Wood, scoring 16 goals including the 2 decisive goals in that win against Barnet in the playoffs. Lee, like his club, has started the season a little slow, with just one goal in 6 appearances but will be looking to kick start his and the club’s season. The Zimbabwean centre-forward has also had spells at Brackley FC and several clubs in his home country but will be looking to be the man who fires Boreham
Wood into the Football League for the first time in their history.

In the Dugout: Luke Garrard
Luke Garrard has been in charge at Meadow Park since 2015, having been a player for The Wood on 3 separate spells, 2 being loans. Born in Barnet, Garrard spent his youth career at Tottenham before being released and starting his professional career at Swindon. Garrard retired from playing in 2015 after making 140 league appearances for Boreham Wood, scoring 7 times, before starting his coaching career at the club. His achievements at the club include securing their highest finish
in the league in the club’s history with a 4th place finish in 2018 and a 5th round appearance in the FA Cup in 2021/22, losing to Premier League Everton, also a club record.

Ticket Prices
Adult: £20
OAP: £18
Under 16: £12
Under 12: £6

Tickets can be purchased here