It looks as though it is going to be a long, hard season for Boreham Wood, following their second defeat in three days, against Billericay Town on Monday evening.

The Meadow Park side enjoyed some good possession and put pressure on the visitors in the first half, but Billericay ran away with the game after sneaking a goal on the stroke of half-time.

Wood made several changes to the team that lost at Chesham United on Saturday, with Lee Harvey, Marvin Walker and Gary Dixon replacing Scott Holding, Jeran Meah and Luke Bauckham in the starting line-up.

Billericay Town paraded David McDonald, the former Boreham Wood defender.

Both teams started the game in lively fashion, and it was the visitors who forced the first corner after four minutes. Wood captain Garry Wotton headed the ball clear.

A right wing attack from Billericay followed and the resulting cross found Paul Fewings unmarked in the penalty area, but his header went wide.

Wood retaliated and showed a lot more effort, in what was their first home game of the season. But chances were few and far between.

Martin Carthy saw a firm close-range header easily saved by Noel Imber, following a Billericay corner kick.

In the 38th minute Wood's Walker and Andy Douglas combined well to present an opening for Gary Dixon, but his shot towards the near post was well saved.

Wood kept the pressure on the visitors, but it was Billericay who broke the deadlock just before the half-time whistle. Fewings crashed a shot wide of Imber, while the defence appealed in vain for offside. Within three minutes of the restart Billericay Town went 2-0 ahead, after Corey Browne gave away a penalty. Mark Brennan converted the spot kick.

Worse was to follow when, after 71 minutes, Lee Williams put the result beyond doubt with the visitors' third goal, a tremendous volley which brought much celebration.

Meah came on to replace Walker, but, apart from a near post header which went wide in the 78th minute, he made little difference.

Andy Douglas managed to pull a goal back for Wood, in some style, after 85 minutes. His magnificent long-range, curling, right-footed shot completely beat the keeper and went just inside the far post.

BOREHAM WOOD: Imber, Grime, Cartlidge, Wotton, L Harvey, Wall, Walker (Meah, 71 mins.), Howard, Dixon, Browne, Douglas. SUBS: (not used) Jones, Holding, C Harvey, Kirby.

Boreham Wood 1 Billericay Town 3

Ryman League Premier Division

August 21, 2002 15:00