United succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at Meadow Park thanks to a goal apiece for Boreham forwards Angelo Balanta and Bruno Andrade.
In a match where United struggled to be an attacking force, Boreham took the lead in the 11th minute when Balanta reacted quickest after the ball broke inside the penalty box. Alex Davey was then adjudged to have fouled Andrade inside the box to give away a penalty. Andrade scored the spot kick to put the game beyond doubt in the 81st minute.
After suspensions had accounted for the involvement of Jazzi Barnum-Bobb, George Dowling, and injuries to Josh Gowling, and Yan Klukowski, United were left with four players on the bench.
United had started the game well. They created some space and shots on goal and Boreham were having to get bodies in the way.
In the 7th minute Jamie Reid was able to launch a counter attack. His run and low ball into the box nearly caught the opposition out. Ruairi Keating’s run across his defender was nearly enough, but his snap shot went over the bar.
Boreham Wood took the lead in the 11th minute. Just previous, they had created a decent opportunity. Bruno Andrade’s low ball into the box had been laid off to Mark Ricketts whose shot was blocked by a yellow shirt. The Wood scored moment later when they caught United out at from a corner. Angelo Balanta prodded the ball home after the ball fell to him in the box.
The opposition were buoyed by going ahead. United were struggling to keep the ball up front, and create much from midfield.
The duo of Bruno Andrade and Angelo Balanta were a constant source of danger for the Wood. Andrade, in particular, stretched United’s defence by popping up across the front line.
Jake Gosling, making his first start since Woking away earlier in the season, was a bright spark for United. He nearly wriggled through on goal in the 33rd minute. He nutmegged one defender, but was then crowded out when a shot looked likely. Mark Ricketts then received a yellow card for a foul on Gosling. They were finding it difficult to manage the tricky forward.
Gary Owers opted to make one change at half-time. Jon-Paul Pittman replaced Ruairi Keating in attack.
United started to put some meaningful pressure on Boreham at the beginning of the second half. It helped that the wind was now behind the Gulls.
United came close, but they could not forge a meaningful chance on goal in the second half. The brightest moments came from Joake Gosling, who stretched Boreham’s back line with some tricky, and skillful runs from midfield. Mark Ricketts headed over his own bar in the 58th minute under pressure in one particular United attack.
The game was wrapped up in the 81st minute. Vincent Dorel was just about to get the game underway once again after a Boreham attack. The referee blew his whistle, and after a moment of confusion it was apparent that he had awarded a penalty to Boreham Wood. Alex Davey the man penalized for a challenge on Bruno Andrade.
Vincent Dorel dived the right way, but Andrade’s shot was too powerful.
United look to get back to winning ways against Eastleigh at Plainmoor on New Year’s Day.
Boreham Wood: 1 Grant Smith, 2 Kane Smith, 4 Mark Ricketts ©, 6 Dale Stephens, 8 Tom Champion,10 Kieran Murtagh, 11 Bruno Andrade, 17 Jamie Turley, 19 Angelo Balanta, 25 Noah Chesmain [7 Ricky Shakes 62′], 26 Aaron Jarvis [15 Shaun Jeffers 82′] Subs Not Used: 13 Erbil Bozkurt, 22 Sorba Thomas
Booked: Mark Ricketts 35′, Murtagh 90′
TUFC: 30 Vincent Dorel, 2 Michee Efete, 3 Liam Davis, 4 Damon Lathrope, 5 Sean McGinty (c), 8 Luke Young, 10 Ruairi Keating [9 Jon-Paul Pittman 45′], 11 Jake Gosling [22 Guy Gnabouyou 77′], 19 Jamie Reid, 21 Alex Davey, 26 Axel Andresson [27 Jennison Myrie-Williams 68′] Subs Not Used: 1 Ryan Clarke (GK)
Booked:
Referee: Mr A Young
Attendance: 627 (230 away)