MATCH REPORT: Chippenham Town 0-1 Boreham Wood | National League South | Saturday 5th October 2024

This first ever meeting between the two sides saw the Bluebirds again fall to defeat in a match where they dominated possession, but lacked the decisive edge up front.

However, the first real chance fell to the Hertfordshire visitors on eleven minutes as Erico Sousa and Tyrone Marsh combined to present a chance to Junior Dixon whose shot was blocked by the Bluebirds defence.

Eight minutes later Harry Parsons’ shot on the turn suffered a similar fate.

Boreham Wood, who were relegated on the final day of last season from the National League, took the lead on twenty six minutes, when from Tom Whelan’s corner Kwesi Appiah headed home what proved to be the winning goal.

On the half hour former Bluebird Whelan should have doubled the lead but he blazed over.

Two minutes later Will Dawes headed goalwards but his effort was rebuffed by the Wood’s defence.

Before the break Sousa found Marsh but again the effort was blocked.

The Bluebirds were then awarded a free kick just outside of the area but Luke Spokes’ effort cleared the bar.

Further home pressure saw Luke Colwell’s cross find Leone Gravata but Nathan Ashmore kept out his headed effort.

HALF TIME: Chippenham Town 0-1 Boreham Wood

Chippenham again started the second half on the front foot as another Spokes effort was just too high.

The Bluebirds continued to dominate possession but failed to produce any clear cut chances until midway through the half when Ashmore blocked an effort from Parsons.

At the other end Sousa played in Dixon whose shot was well saved by Will Henry, whilst Tom Mehew was just off target and Dawes shot wide.

On seventy eight minutes substitute Alex Bray crossed to Dawes who in turn found Parsons who headed wide.

Nine minutes later a Wood breakaway ended with Marsh being denied by Henry.

The Bluebirds appeals for a penalty when Parsons appeared to be fouled in the area were denied and in stoppage time Wood substitute Abdul Abdulmalik beat several defenders but Henry was equal to his shot.

FULL TIME: Chippenham Town 0-1 Boreham Wood

Chippenham: Will Henry, Lewis Colwell. Freddie Grant, Luke Haines, Will King (Tyrone Johnson 69), Tom Mehew (Tom Owen-Evans 83), Joe Andrews, Luke Spokes, Will Dawes, Harry Parsons (Matt McClure 83), Leone Gravata (Alex Bray 74) substitute not used Nat Williams

Boreham Wood: Nathan Ashmore, Cameron Coxe (Jayden Richardson 73), Femi Ilesanmi, Jack Payne, Chris Bush, Tom Whelan (David Ogbontohoma 90), Tyrone Marsh (Gus Mafuita), Kweshi Appiah, Charlie O’Connell, Junior Dixon (Abdul Abdulmalik 83), Erico Sousa substitute not used: Mohammed Sagaf

Ref: H. Blair

Att: 702