Boreham Wood and Southend United played out a draw at the Mangata Pay UK Stadium, a result that arguably favoured the visitors after the home side had appeared the more likely to take all three points. Referee Alex Chilowicz oversaw a match that burst into life in the second half, following a relatively uneventful first period.
The first half was largely devoid of goalmouth action, though Nathan Ralph’s yellow card in the 39th minute suggested a growing intensity. Boreham Wood’s Charlie O’Connell was also cautioned shortly before the interval, indicating an increasingly physical contest.
The second half witnessed a noticeable increase in tempo and incident. Femi Ilesanmi and Tom White of Boreham Wood, along with Southend’s Gus Scott-Morriss, all received yellow cards in quick succession, reflecting a spell of increasingly fractious play.
Boreham Wood manager Luke Garrard looked to invigorate his attack, introducing Érico Henrique Esteves Sousa in the 63rd minute, replacing Charles Clayden. The substitution proved effective just six minutes later when Sousa provided the assist for Matt Rush, who put Boreham Wood ahead.
Kevin Maher responded with a substitution of his own, bringing on Josh Walker for Tom Hopper in the 70th minute. Walker’s introduction proved inspired, as he found the net in the 81st minute, levelling the score.
Both managers then made late changes in an attempt to secure a victory. Boreham Wood introduced Jon Benton for Zak Brunt in the 75th minute, while Southend brought on Jack Bridge and Oliver Coker for Harry Boyes and Gus Scott-Morriss in the 78th and 79th minutes respectively.
Boreham Wood then made a triple substitution in the 86th minute, introducing Junior Dixon, Lewis Richardson, and Cameron Coxe, while Southend brought on Leon Chambers-Parillon and Cavanagh Miley. However, neither side was able to find a late winning goal.
The draw sees Boreham Wood extend their undefeated run to ten games, and continue their scoring streak, having now found the net in their last six matches. They sit third in the National League standings with 25 points from 12 games. Southend, meanwhile, remain in seventh place with 19 points from 12 games, their winless streak now extended to three matches.
