Chelmsford City VS Boreham Wood - match preview 2/11/2013

Today we welcome Boreham Wood to the Melborne Stadium, who turn their attentions back to the league following last week’s FA Cup 4^th qualifying round victory against Heybridge Swifts. The visitors make the 45mile trip from South Hertfordshire, aiming to climb out of the bottom three after an inconsistent start to the season.

So far formidable in the cup, the Woods are failing to replicate this quality in the league having taken just 9 points in their first 11 games.  Today’s opponents will be aiming to get out of this position as soon as possible and build upon increasing league achievements in recent years. The visitors joined the Conference South following playoff success in the Ryman Premier League in the 2009/10 season under current manager Ian Allinson. Following a mid-table finish, the 2011/12 season saw them finish in 8^th place, their highest final placing in their 65year history.

Last season, Boreham Wood begun well, reporting their best start since entering the Conference South. A good run of form in the early stages saw some hard fought battles pay dividends, not least against Hayes and Yeading in the fourth qualifying game in the FA cup. The Woods found themselves 2-0 down within the first 5 minutes, but came back to win the game 3-2, scoring the winner in the final minutes of the game in a night to remember for the fans. The victory led them to an FA Cup 1^st round home tie against Brentford, which they went on to lose 2-0. Their league form saw them spend much of last season in the playoff positions, but a disappointing final 2weeks meant that they dropped out in the closing stages, finishing 9^th.

 Off the pitch, Boreham Wood have grown in terms of facilities at an impressive pace. The current Chairman has introduced a now thriving youth academy, which has seen him pump over £6million into the club. Meadow Park also plays host to Watford reserves FC, Arsenal ladies FC and the Arsenal youth teams. With the likes of Napoli, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United and Marseille all sending their youth teams to Meadow Park this October and November, locals have every opportunity to see some future world talent on display in their backyard.

Allinson has also been watching with interest, and last week brought in young Arsenal starlet Austin Lipmon after he put in an impressive performance against Napoli. The pacey forward who can also play in midfield will be hoping to make his debut today after signing on loan until January.

 

Of particular interest to Clarets fans this afternoon will be the performance of ex-Chelmsford forward Donovan Simmonds. The striker left Chelmsford to join the Woods this summer and is currently their joint highest scorer with four goals. Both Ben Nunn and Greg Morgan will also be familiar with their surroundings at the Melbourne Stadium, having both had spells here.

 

Northern Irish winger Matthew Ball, who is on loan from Stevenage Borough, will be one to watch for the visitors. Ball began his career at Norwich City, progressing through the youth system and representing his country at various levels. He was released by the Premier league side in 2012 and signed for the league one outfit. He will be hoping to impress his parent club this season with his performances and has netted four times so far. His strike last week in the 83^rd minute of the FA cup game against Heybridge Swifts was the goal that has seen the Wood win a first round proper tie at home to Carlisle United.

 

With all this in mind, we hope for an entertaining game today, and would like to take this opportunity to thank the Boreham Wood fans for travelling to Chelmsford, and wish them a safe journey back this evening.