TT MATCH PREVIEW – Boreham Wood (A) by Steve Harris

TT PREVIEW

Steve Harris – @steveharris84

Steve Harris previews the game at Meadow Park

BOREHAM WOOD VS TORQUAY UNITED

Match details: Boreham Wood vs Torquay United

Venue: Meadow Park, Borehamwood

Date: Tuesday 28^th March 2023

CURRENT FORM

Boreham Wood: W, W, W, W, L, D

Torquay: L, D, L, L, D, L

TOP SCORERS

Boreham Wood: Lee Ndlovu (9)

Torquay: Aaron Jarvis (14)

HEAD TO HEAD

Boreham Wood: 8

Draw: 3

Torquay: 4

BOREHAM WOOD FACTFILE

Year founded: 1948

Nickname: The Wood

Last season’s league finish: 9th in National League

Notable Honours:

National League South:

Play-off Winners: 2014-15

Isthmian League Division One:

Winners: 1976-77, 1994-95, 2000-01

MANAGER: LUKE GARRARD

Now the second longest serving manager in the National League, Luke Garrard has turned out a number of competitive sides on a regular basis since succeeding Ian Allinson as manager of the Wood in 2015. In his first season in charge, the 2015-16 campaign, he steered the Wood to safety, which was followed by an 11^th place finish in 2016-17. In the subsequent 2017-18 campaign, the Wood enjoyed arguably their finest season under his reign when they reached the National League play-off final, where they were beaten by Tranmere Rovers. In the 2019-20 season, Garrard led the Wood to the play-offs again, where they were eliminated by FC Halifax Town in the quarter finals.

Last season, he famously guided the Wood to the fifth round of the FA Cup, after beating AFC Wimbledon and AFC Bournemouth on route, before they were eliminated by Everton.

PLAYER TO WATCH: ZAK BRUNT

Zak Brunt joined the Wood on a season-long loan from Sheffield United in the close season. Brunt, 20, began his youth career with the Blades before plying his trade within the youth set ups at Aston Villa, Manchester City and Manchester United. A spell with Derby County then followed before he returned to Bramall Lane on scholarship terms in 2018. He arrived at Meadow Park with previous National League experience having spent time on loan at Southend United and Notts County last season.

In addition to his senior experience with the Shrimpers and the Magpies at the top tier of Non-League football, Zak also has two senior appearances with Sheffield United to his name in the EFL Cup, having played 90 minutes in both United’s EFL Cup victories over Carlisle United and Derby County.

BRUNT STATS:

Position: Central Midfield

Date of Birth: 17th November 2001 – 21 years-old

Place of Birth: Chesterfield

Height: 1.76m

Former Clubs: Matlock, Sheffield United, Southend, Notts County

NL Stats 22-23: Played 35, Goals 2, Yellow/Red Cards 4/0

OLD BOYS

Boreham Wood: Tyrone Marsh, Josh Rees

Torquay: Aaron Jarvis

LAST MEETING

Torquay United 0-1 Boreham Wood

Saturday 20th August 2022

Jamal Fyfield’s early strike gave Boreham Wood a National League victory at Torquay.

Fyfield was left unmarked at the far post to divert Will Evans’ third-minute shot into the Gulls’ net.

Tom Lapslie spurned a golden chance to equalise after the ball had ricocheted around the Boreham Wood box.

Torquay goalkeeper Mark Halstead produced a fine save to stop Tyrone Marsh’s volley as the visitors climbed into the play-off positions with a second win from four games.