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MATCH PREVIEW: Boreham Wood v Aldershot Town (A)

WHO ARE THE SHOTS PLAYING?

Boreham Wood, also known as The Wood, Founded 1948

WHERE IS THE MATCH BEING PLAYED?

At Meadow Park, Broughinge Road, Borehamwood, Herts, WD6 5AL. Capacity 4,500 (1,700 seated)

HOW DID THEY DO LAST SEASON?

The Wood finished 14th last season, with 55 points. They finished with 55 points, one place and 3 points ahead of Aldershot Town.

HOW DID SHOTS GET ON AGAINST THEM LAST SEASON?

The National League matches between these sides provided quite a goal fest last season. In December 2020, at Meadow Park, The Wood came out on top thanks to a late Sorba Thomas winner. The Shots had twice levelled the match through Shadrach Ogie’s long distance screamer and a Jamal Fyfield own goal. Kabongo Tshimanga and Gus Mafuta scored the other Boreham Wood goals. At the EBB Stadium in March 2021, The Shots trailed 3-1 (Giles Phillips og, Corey Whiteley & Tshimanga) but pulled it back to 3-3 with Josh Rees (now a Wood player) scoring twice and Toby Edser on target for Town.

WHO’S THEIR GAFFER?:

35-year-old Luke Garrard remains one of the youngest managers in the National League but already has great experience, having led Wood to the Play-Offs in both 2017-18 and 2019-20, where they were beaten finalists and semi-finalists respectively.

WHO’S DEPARTED?

On the eve of the season, Chesterfield swooped for The Woods’ top scorer over the last two seasons, Kabongo Tshimanga. Other key players to depart Meadow Lane in the summer included: Keiran Murtagh, Tom Champion, Matt Rhead and former Shot Adam McDonnell.

WHO’S STAYED?

Just 9 players remain at Boreham Wood from last season; Nathan Ashmore, Kane Smith, Jamal Fyfield, Femi Ilesanmi, Mark Ricketts, David Stephens, Tyrone Marsh and Gus Mafuta. The ninth player is Krystian Pearce, who has been placed on the transfer list.

WHO’S ARRIVED?

9 new players have signed contracts at Meadow Park for the 2021-22 season. They include defender Will Evans, midfielder Josh Rees and striker Scott Boden.

ANY EX-SHOTS?

Will Evans was a key member of the Shots defence in both Waddock/Rowe play-off campaigns. Josh Rees was Aldershot Town’s Player of the Season and top goal scorer last season.

WHO’S GOT THE WHISTLE?

Saturday’s referee is Thomas Parsons. Last season, he took charge of 12 National League matches, showing 55 Yellow Cards and 2 Red Cards.

WHERE TO FOLLOW THE MATCH:

If you are not going to Meadow Park, there will be ‘Live’ BBC Radio Surrey Sport Online commentary of the match with Rob Worrall and a Guest Summariser. There will also be Social Media coverage on Instagram & Twitter (@OfficialShots) with team news, updates and post-match coverage throughout the afternoon.