This Saturday (24th November) sees the visit of Boreham Wood to Mill Farm in The National League.

The fixture will be the first time the teams have met since the Elimination Round of The National League Playoffs back in May.

Both sides will have set themselves a target of playoff places this season, and with each needing a win after indifferent results, the match is an important one between two of the league’s promotion chasing teams.

Back to back defeats for the Coasters for the first time since February has provided the first real setback to a great start to the season for Dave Challinor and his team, but they can be encouraged by the way in which they’re playing, as lots of chances are being created.

The Opposition

Name: Boreham Wood

Form: LWWDDD

Ground: Meadow Park

The Wood have perhaps not had the start to the season that they would have liked given their 4th place finish last year, and this may come in part to their away form. Just 9 points from a possible 30 so far on the road for Luke Garrard’s men means they currently sit in 10th – with the last away win coming at Sutton back in September.

That said, they are undefeated in five games, and will be keen to continue their positive record against the Coasters.

Head to Head

There have only been three games between the two sides so far, with the Coasters having yet to get the better of the Hertfordshire outfit.

National League 17/18 Season

AFC Fylde 2 – 2 Boreham Wood

Boreham Wood 1 – 0 AFC Fylde

17/18 Playoff Elimination Round

Boreham Wood 2 – 1 AFC Fylde

One To Watch

Josh Umerah

Umerah joined on a season-long loan from Charlton Athletic in the summer, and has certainly enjoyed life at Meadow Park. He’s the leading goalscorer with a total of six goals, and has started 15 of the Wood’s 20 games this season, coming off the bench in three others.

He’s scored in the Football League as well, netting important goals for Wycombe Wanderers in games against Barnet and Cambridge United.

It’s no coincidence that as Umerah’s goals have dried up, so have Boreham Wood’s. Whilst Umerah is without a goal in five games, the Wood have scored just one in four – something that they’ll both be looking to change.

The Gaffer

Luke Garrard

Once a player, now the manager, Luke Garrard’s time at Boreham Wood has no doubt certified him as a club legend. From guiding them to promotion to The National League, to an agonising loss at Wembley in last seasons playoff final for the Football League, his time has no doubt been a success.

At the time of his appointment, he was the youngest manager in the English game, at just 30 years old. With 140 appearances for Boreham Wood under his belt, he had the club under his skin, and the appointment has no doubt been a gamble well worth taking.

The Officials

Andrew Miller will be officiating the game, whilst Blake Antrobus and Nicholas Hawskby will be his assistants, and Luis Griffiths the Fourth Official.

Andrew was our referee earlier in the season in our game against Harrogate Town in front of the BT Sport cameras, where he handed out five yellow cards in a goalless draw.

That said, Andrew was also the referee for our 7-1 home win over Aldershot Town last year, so he’s certainly seen both ends of the spectrum in his time in the middle at Mill Farm!

Other Games To Keep An Eye On

There’s two big games at the top of the table, as third-placed Wrexham host table-topping Leyton Orient, whilst Salford City will travel to Solihull Moors and look to put their FA Cup exit behind them.

Next Saturday’s opponents Sutton United will play Maidenhead United at home. It’s crunch time for Maidenhead who have lost six games on the spin, conceding 23 goals in this run.

Coverage

AFC Fylde will be providing their usual live text Twitter commentary of the game, for updates follow @AFCFYLDE.