United had to settle for a point at Plainmoor after taking the lead in wet and blustery conditions against Boreham Wood.
In a game of few clear-cut chances it was Sam Sherring that opened the scoring for United, heading home inside the box in the 15th minute. Boreham’s response came from a fortuitous deflection from a cross from Sorba Thomas. United were reduced to ten men in the 71st minute when Adam Randell received a second yellow card.
Boreham had a little more of the ball in the opening third of the match but it was United that took the lead. a free-kick from Connor Lemonheigh-Evans found Sam Sherring who notched his second of the season to put United into the lead. It was an impressive header that beat Nathan Ashmore from distance.
Boreham Wood made an early change in the 21st minute when Kabongo Tshimanga left the field to be replaced by Shaquille Coulthirst.
Boreham Wood’s early game plan was to keep putting balls behind United’s defence looking to catch United napping. United goalkeeper Shaun MacDonald was on alert to intercept when needed.
Danny Wright sent a header wide of the near post from a corner in the 39th minute that was close, but United needed to up their game in the second half.
United were unlucky to go into the half-time break level in the match. Ben Wynter the unlucky man to deflect the ball past MacDonald who stood no chance of keeping the ball out.
Matt Rhead, a player that United fans will be well aware of, sent a good chance wide of the far post from a corner in the 56th minute. United left him free in the area and were fortunate that a tame connection went wide.
In the 60th minute United overloaded inside Boreham’s box. The pressure didn’t quite tell and Adam Randell shot wide of the target from the edge of the box.
Ben Wynter was left once again scratching his head in the 62nd minute. A perfectly clean strike from the edge of the box was tipped over by Boreham’s Nathan Ashmore.
Adam Randell, having received his first yellow card in the 30th minute, then received a second for an innocuous challenge for the ball. United were down to ten men just when they were pushing for a winner. Despite the setback United had some opportunities inside Boreham’s box to force home a winner.
In the dying minutes of the match United and Boreham had a chance each. Once again United found themselves inside Boreham’s penalty box, but were unable to make the pressure count. Then Boreham had their own chance to force the ball home but MacDonald and Warren were able to keep the ball out.
In a game where defences were on top, United take a point and look forward to taking on FC Halifax Town in seven days time.
TUFC: 1. Shaun MacDonald, 2. Ben Wynter, 4. Kyle Cameron, 7. Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, 8. Asa Hall, 9. Danny Wright [6. Gary Warren 82], 12. Adam Randell, 16. Sam Sherring, 21. Dean Moxey, 23. Aaron Nemane, 34. Ben Whitfield
SUBS: 13. Andrew Collings (GK), 11. Jake Andrews, 25. Billy Waters, 35. Josh Umerah
Booked: Hall 45’+3, Wright 52′, Cameron 80′
Red Card: Randell 71′ (Booked 30′ & 71′)
Boreham Wood: 1. Nathan Ashmore (GK) 3. Femi Ilesanmi 5. Tom Champion 7. Piero Mingoia 8. Gus Mafuta 9. Kabongo Tshimanga [18. Shaquille Coulthirst] 12. Jamal Fyfield 14. Sorba Thomas 15. Matt Rhead 19. Kane Smith 20. Adam McDonnell
SUBS: 2. Danny Woodards, 6. Dave Stephens, 16. Zaine Francis-Angol, 17. Ryan Huddart
Booked: Rhead 53′, Mafuta 59′
Referee: Charles Breakspeare