Unbeaten National League leaders Boreham Wood welcome Hartlepool United to the Mangata Developments Stadium Meadow Park on Saturday seeking a ninth successive league victory. Luke Garrard’s side have won 13 and drawn two of their opening 15 matches, while Hartlepool arrive 20th after losing 3-1 at AFC Fylde in midweek.
Boreham Wood extended their winning sequence with a 2-1 comeback victory at Woking on Tuesday. Josh Kelly had put the hosts ahead, but Tylor Golden equalised with a first-time volley before Regan Booty scored his first goal of the season in the 79th minute. Wood also had a chance to take the lead earlier in the second half, but Zak Brunt’s penalty was saved by Vicente Reyes, his second missed spot-kick in successive matches.
The victory followed a 4-0 home win over Fylde, when Brunt scored twice and missed another penalty, Golden registered his first Boreham Wood goal and Jay Bird also found the net. Garrard’s side have scored in all 15 league fixtures this season and have now won eight consecutive league matches, establishing a commanding position at the top of the table.
Hartlepool suffered a setback at Fylde on Tuesday after leading for more than 70 minutes. Will Harris put Pete Wild’s side ahead in the third minute, but Luke McCormick equalised in the 77th before substitutes Millar Matthews-Lewis and Jack Morris scored in the closing stages to complete a 3-1 comeback. George Pickford also denied Harris an opportunity to double Hartlepool’s early lead.
The defeat ended a two-match league winning sequence for Pools, who had previously beaten Forest Green Rovers 4-2 and Hornchurch 2-1. Jordan Hugill and Nathan Sheron both scored twice at Forest Green, while substitute Luke Charman struck the winner against Hornchurch after Hartlepool had been reduced to 10 men following Neo Eccleston’s dismissal.
Wild could have goalkeeper Max Merrick available again after the Chelsea loanee missed the midweek defeat at Fylde. The Hartlepool Mail has identified Merrick as a potential returnee, although his selection has not been confirmed. Adam Smith started in goal on Tuesday, while Eccleston was serving a suspension following his red card against Hornchurch.
The corresponding fixture last season brought a 3-0 Boreham Wood victory, with Matt Rush scoring a second-half hat-trick in the 50th, 55th and 93rd minutes. The sides had previously drawn 0-0 at Hartlepool in August 2025, while Pools won their February 2024 home meeting 3-1. Rush’s performance at Meadow Park remains the standout individual contribution from their recent encounters.
Boreham Wood enter Saturday with 41 points from 15 matches, 26 ahead of Hartlepool, who have collected 15 points from the same number of games. Garrard’s side are looking to extend their unbeaten start to 16 matches and their winning run to nine, while Wild’s team are seeking a response after surrendering their lead at Fylde.
