Image by Tom Poole
Ahead of our return down South today, we take a look at our upcoming opponents, Boreham Wood.
This weekend’s hosts head into Sunday’s fixture looking to secure back-to-back league wins in the Vanarama National League after they ended 2023 with a 2-1 win on the road at Kidderminster Harriers.
They currently find themselves squashed in the middle of the league table, nine points off the playoff position and only seven points above the relegation zone
Boreham Wood are unbeaten in their last seven games at home in all competitions having last lost on home soil on the 23rd September against Aldershot Town, so they’ll be hoping to extend this run further this weekend if they can secure three points against the Minstermen.
Manager: Luke Garrard
The 38-year-old has had a long affiliation with Boreham Wood having originally played for them between 2010 and 2015. After stepping up to become the club’s manager in October 2015, he’s gone on to manage over 421 games for the club, winning 153 of those games in charge.
Garrard played for AFC Wimbledon prior to his move to North London, where he was named the club’s Young Player of the Year for 2006/07. He then helped the club win promotion via the Isthmian League Premier Division playoffs a year later in 2007/08, before helping them win the Conference South the following season.
Since becoming a manager, Garrard guided Boreham Wood to the 2017/18 National League Playoff Final, where his side were beaten by Salford City at Wembley Stadium.
Top Scorer: Lee Ndlovu
The 29-year-old striker is Boreham Wood’s current top goalscorer, having netted seven times in twenty-five National League appearances so far this season.
After joining the club at the start of last season from National League North side Brackley Town, he netted 11 goals in his debut season for the Wood.
Known as being a clinical finisher in front of goal, Ndlovu spent six successful seasons with Brackley prior to his move down to North London, where he netted 82 goals in over 250 league appearances.
One we Know: Jamal Fyfield
Someone who Minstermen supporters will know rather well is former City defender, Jamal Fyfield.
Part of the 2012 Wembley Twice in a Week side, he played for the Minstermen between 2010 and 2014 after joining the club from Maidenhead United.
After making 96 appearances in all competitions for the Minstermen, Fyfield left the club to join Grimsby Town, before later going on to play for the likes of Welling United and Wrexham.
The 34-year-old is Boreham Wood’s current captain, having played for The Wood since joining in the summer of 2018 from Gateshead.
Head-to-Head
In what will be only the sixth-ever meeting between the two sides this weekend, neither Boreham Wood or the Minstermen have ever recorded a victory against each other.
In the five games played between the two sides, all of them contests have ended in draws.
September’s 2-2 draw at the LNER Community Stadium between the two sides ended a run of four successive one-all draws which first started in August 2016 following the club’s relegation from the Football League.