FC Halifax Town were defeated 2-0 away at Boreham Wood in the Vanarama National League
Both sides were indebted to goalkeepers Nathan Ashmore and Sam Johnson who made crucial saves to keep the game goalless at the half time break, but the home side scored from Kwesi Appiah and Jamal Fyfield in the second half from set piece routines.
Early corners for both sides were easily dealt with by strong defences, but the best opportunity fell to the home side in the 8th minute. Erico Sousa went past Ryan Galvin but his cross eluded everyone and out for a goal kick.
Tylor Golden’s corner was played short to Millenic Alli, back to Golden but his shot from the edge of the box was narrowly wide of the target,
The visitors had a good opportunity, Alli chased a long ball, but Ashmore came out, but his clearance hit Harker, but the Wood goalkeeper got back well to stop Harker tapping home into an empty net.
Mo Sagaf had an effort over the bar from 25 yards out as the home side looked for an opening goal.
They were denied by a double save from Sam Johnson on his 350th appearance for the Club. A long throw in was flicked on and Appiah’s header was superbly turned round the post for a corner. The ball into the box was met by Jamal Fyfield but Johnson again denied Wood an opening goal.
Ashmore was then tested as Jack Evans looked to double his goal tally for the season after Alli found him in the box, but a one-handed save prevented the Shaymen going ahead.
As the break loomed, Alli raced through on goal but another superb save from Ashmore saw the game go into half time 0-0.
The opening goal was for the home side. Tom Whelan’s freekick following Golden’s foul was met perfectly by Kwesi Appiah who headed home at the far post.
Jamie Stott had an effort from edge of the box straight at Ashmore, but the home doubled their lead a couple of minutes later from a Tom Whelan corner, it fell to Jamal Fyfield, and he tapped home from inside the six-yard box.
Town boss Chris Millington made two changes with Max Wright on for Ryan Galvin and Andrew Olubarowi who both looked bright in their short time on the pitch.
The Shaymen finished the game on the front foot but were denied at every opportunity. Olubarowi had a cross blocked, Alli had a shot blocked, Cappello cross forced a corner as Town looked for a way back into the game.
The cross into the box was cleared to Max Wright, his shot was met by Adam Senior and his effort was goal bound but denied by Ashmore yet again.
Town continued to look for a goal back, but Jack Evans was also denied with a good block by the Wood defence.
Wood held on for a 2-0 win to start their home campaign with all three points.
The Shaymen are back in action on Tuesday night with a trip to local neighbours Oldham Athletic, 7.45pm kick-off
Match Stats:
Boreham Wood: 1 Nathan Ashmore, 12 Jamal Fyfield, 5 Chris Bush, 15 David Agbontohoma, 3 Femi Ilesanmi, 19 Erico Sousa (2 Cameron Coxe 78) 16 Charlie Owens (17 Liam O’Neil 72), 7 Tom Whelan, 8 Mo Sagaf, 10 Tyrone Marsh (9 Lee Ndlovu 60) 21 Kwesi Appiah
Subs: 6 David Stephens, 13 Koju Abayomi (GK)
FC Halifax Town 1 Sam Johnson ©, 2 Tylor Golden (22 Andrew Oluwabori), 3 Ryan Galvin (17 Max Wright 60) 5 Adam Senior, 16 Jordan Keane, 6 Jamie Stott, 12 Jack Evans, 8 Jack Hunter (19 Aaron Cosgrave 90), 11 Millenic Alli, 7 Angelo Cappello, 9 Rob Harker
Subs: 10 Jamie Cooke, 23 Jo Cummings
Referee: Sam Mulhall
Goals: Appiah 54, Fyfield 62
Yellow Cards: Marsh 24, Galvin 30, Owens 45 Bush 45, Evans 90 Hunter 90
Red Cards: None
Attendance: 903 (114 away)
Boreham Wood 2 FC Halifax Town 0
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