County’s first home game of the new decade sees us host play-off rivals Boreham Wood this Saturday, as two of the National League’s in-form teams go head to head at Edgeley Park.
Wednesday’s 0-0 draw at FC Halifax saw the Hatters emerge from a challenging festive period with a credible seven points from three difficult games, a run that has seen us move into the play-off places, currently residing in 5th place – although having played more games than several of the teams below us.
Whilst there is currently a four-point gap between ourselves and 4th place Harrogate Town, victory on Saturday would create a favourable gap between County and our visitors, who currently sit just outside the play-off places in 8th, three points behind the Hatters.
Defeat, however, would see the Wood move above us on goal difference in the League Table, and other results could potentially see us drop as low as 9th, further highlighting the importance of this game.
Since we last met:
September’s first ever meeting between these two clubs was one to quickly forget for the Hatters, who succumbed to a 4-0 defeat down south, the third of a run of five straight defeats for us that month.
Despite hovering just above the relegation zone at the time of that result, Luke Garrard’s men have improved dramatically since; suffering just three defeats in their subsequent 16 league games, a run that has surged them into the play-off picture.
Although they have suffered defeat at the first time of asking in both the FA Cup and FA Trophy, Boreham Wood haven’t tasted defeat in the National League since going down 2-0 at home to AFC Fylde, back on October 26th. Their last defeat away from home came on the 8th of October, losing 3-1 at leaders Barrow.
Whilst they have undoubtably proven to have been tough to beat in recent months, Boreham Wood’s difficulties have perhaps been turning draws into victories, with six of their last 10 games on this unbeaten run finishing level – although that did include impressive points gained away at Notts County and Yeovil, as well as home victory over Harrogate Town.
Kabongo Tshimanga scored the winner for Wood that day, with the front-man proving to be vital to his club’s upturn in form; fourteen goals to date making him the fourth top scorer in the National League, including two against County in that 4-0 win earlier in the season.
Match Stats:
- This will be the first ever meeting between the two sides at Edgeley Park – our only other previous encounter was the 4-0 defeat at Meadow Park this season.
- Over the last 15 games, both these sides sit comfortably in the play-off places in the form table, County with the third best record in the National League over that period, Boreham Wood with the 5th best.
- County’s home form is currently the sixth best in the division, with just one defeat in our last six games in all competitions at Edgeley Park. Boreham Wood, meanwhile, have won just one of their last six games on the road.
- Whilst County have yet to score against Boreham Wood, Tom Walker achieved this feat whilst playing for Salford City last season, notching after just three minutes in a 3-1 home win for Salford – Saturday’s game will be the last before the expiration of his, Devante Rodney’s and Joe Leesley’s loan deals.
