Last week, the National League had a break due to FA Cup qualification. This weeks live televised TNTclash comes from London as Wealdstone host Boreham Wood.
Last Season and Background
Last season, Wealdstone surpassed expectations, with Stuart Maynard guiding them to an unprecedented 13th-place finish. The Semi-Pro outfit finished 13 points clear of relegation, far exceeding pre-season expectations. The Stones Grovsenor Vale form was crucial to their good season, picking up 36 points. In the last ten meetings between the sides, Wealdstone have only won twice, with their last win coming two seasons ago.
Appointed in February 2021, Stuart Maynard has done a fantastic job in stabilising Wealdstone and having them punch above their weight.
Boreham Wood have qualified for the National League playoffs three times since promotion from the National League South. A fourth-place finish in the 2017/18 season saw them lose 2-1 to Tranmere in the final. In 2019-20, they finished fifth, losing 1-0 to Harrogate in the playoff semi-finals. Last year, a 6th place finish saw the Wood qualify for the playoff quarterfinals, where they defeated rivals Barnet away before a heartbreaking defeat to Notts County in the semi-finals.
Luke Garrard’s side actually picked up more points away from home last year, with 37 of their 72 points coming on their travels. Boreham Wood prided themselves on defensive solidity, conceding the fewest goals in the league (40).
When appointed in October 2015, Garrard was the youngest manager in the top five divisions of English football. He has turned Boreham Wood into a top-half National League side, taking them on some important cup runs, even beating Bournemouth and playing Everton at Goodison Park.
Boreham Wood won all three meetings last year, winning 1-2 and 1-0 in the league and emerging 5-3 winners in FA Cup qualification.
This Season
Both sides currently occupy the bottom half, with Wealdstone one point and three positions ahead of their visitors, with the hosts sitting in 15th with 16 points. All four of their wins have come at home, with Maynard’s side boasting the 7thbest home record in the league with 14 points from seven.
Their away form, however, is a cause for concern, picking up only two points from eight away games. They have also lost their last three games in all competitions. Their games are relatively low-scoring, averaging 2.53 goals per game.
Boreham Wood seem to have lost a lot of their defensive stability, conceding 22 goals—already over half the goals they conceded last campaign. They’re also struggling with goals, with their 15 goals scored the lowest amount outside the relegation zone.
Garrard’s side have only one win from their last six league games, so they will be desperate to turn it around. Away from home, Boreham Wood have picked up seven points from seven games, scoring nine and conceding 14 goals, with their games averaging 3.28 goals.
Key Player
Tahvon Campbell is on loan from fellow National League side Rochdale and has scored five goals in 12 games. The 26-year-old has previously shown his goal-scoring antics in the National League, scoring 13 goals in 21 appearances for Woking in the 2021/22 season.
Despite not enjoying the best start to the season, Nathan Ashmore is arguably one of the best goalies outside the EFL. The 6’2 veteran goalkeeper has been at Boreham Wood for four years now, winning a place in the National League team of the season last year after 15 clean sheets.
Score Prediction
Wealdstone 2-1 : 9.50
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As mentioned, Wealdstone are very strong at home, so their price of 2.30 to make it five home wins presents value.
Wealdstone win- 2.30.
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