Boreham Wood's two year stay in the Ryman Premier Division is over.

Winning only one of their last thirteen league matches, Danny Hunter's flagship local side and their supporters are left tasting the bitter pill of relegation.

A highly emotional afternoon at York Road attended by a large band of faithful Wood Fans was not without incident.

The Wood produced a hard working performance, having the lion's share of possession in this must win contest. However, clear-cut chances were again at a premium in the first half.

Jermaine Hunter was strong in his lone striker role, laying off some accurate passes under pressure, and Gary Dixon a different class playing wide on the right continually threatening the Maidenhead rearguard.

In the 23rd minute Maidenhead's Allen turned Nick Grime inside out, with Andy Findlay impeding the striker's run. O'Conner's free kick was met by Nartey, who headed powerfully just over for the Berkshire side.

Findlay did exceptionally well to dispossess ex-Wood favourite Paul Kelly, embarking on a blistering twisting and turning run, which saw him sent to ground. Younis Nabil stepped up to send his 25-yard effort just inches wide of the top right hand corner.

The unluckiest man on the field must surely have been Wood keeper Kenny Addai. As half time approached, and with Wood's opponents in the relegation battle both drawing, a win and survival looked highly achievable.

Allen ran onto a Cook through ball for the visitors, and the giant Wood keeper rushed out to dive at the advancing forward's feet, getting two hands to the ball in a well timed challenge.

With the well-positioned assistant referee's flag staying down, and no appeal from the Maidenhead team, the referee suffered a rush of blood to the head, pointing to the penalty spot from his vantage point some 30 yards from the incident.

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Addai dived to his left to save Kelly's spot kick, which Kelly agonisingly stabbed home at the second attempt.

To Boreham Wood's credit they maintained their composure after this kick in the teeth, coming out for the second half with urgency.

Nick Grime and Dixon both had shots for the Wood, before a counter attack of great pace down the left saw Ulasi feed the dangerous Allen. He drew the retreating Wood defenders before squaring for another ex-Wood player, Joe Nartey, who crashed home Maidenhead's second; the nails in Wood's coffin easing into position.

Still the Wood refused to roll over. Darren Raymond replaced Hunter on the hour, and Scott Honeyball was thrust into attack to great effect.

Nabil won a corner on the left, which Honeyball headed goalwards testing keeper Roffey. Raymond trapped a long ball from Gary Wotton, turning to send a rasping drive just wide.

Then Honeyball sent in a long-range effort, which hit the woodwork.

Wood's siege on the Maidenhead goal continued, and with nine minutes remaining Corey Browne laid a ball wide for Dixon, whose cross was guided past Roffey by Honeyball to give them some hope.

Raymond then set up Dixon who scooped his shot over, and Mark Preston's attempt drifted just over the bar.

At the other end a superb point blank save by Addai from Nartey's effort from six yards out kept Wood's hopes alive.

Into stoppage time Findlay carved through the defence to set up Honeyball, and with only the keeper to beat he shot wide, before Honeyball met Dixons cross, his header inches high.

Eventually the whistle blew on Wood's season, the travelling fans showed their appreciation at their heroes' efforts.

The sight of Gary Wotton and Scott Honeyball being helped off the field in tears is one that will stay with many Wood fans through the close season.

The pair epitomise commitment and endeavour.

Wood's astonishing record of conceding only 58 goals in 46 matches was the sixth best in the league. A testament to their conviction and dedication.

WOOD: Addai, D Grime, N Grime, Wotton, Honeyball, Hunter (Raymond, 60 mins), Preston, Browne, Dixon, Findlay, Nabil. Subs (not used): Whittington, Hawes, Walker, Kirby.Maidenhead United 2

Boreham Wood 1

Ryman Premier League

May 7, 2003 16:00