In a dramatic encounter at the Mangata Pay UK Stadium, Tamworth secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Boreham Wood in the English National League. The match, which saw a flurry of goals and tactical shifts, ultimately swung in favour of the visitors thanks to a second-half winner.
Boreham Wood started the brighter of the two sides, and their early pressure paid off in the 20th minute. A well-worked move culminated in Jeff King providing the assist for Matt Rush, who calmly slotted the ball home to give the home side a deserved lead. The goal seemed to galvanise Boreham Wood, who began to assert more control over the midfield.
However, Tamworth were handed a golden opportunity to level the score just nine minutes later. A foul within the penalty area resulted in a penalty kick, which Ben Milnes confidently converted, bringing the scores level at 1-1. The equaliser seemed to breathe new life into Tamworth, who began to push Boreham Wood back. The closing stages of the first half saw a more even contest, with both teams probing for an advantage.
The second half began with both managers looking to gain the upper hand. Tamworth responded with a tactical substitution in the 52nd minute, bringing on Tom Tonks for the goalscorer Ben Milnes. Boreham Wood introduced Cameron Coxe in place of the booked Jeff King in the 63rd minute, signalling a defensive adjustment.
The deadlock was eventually broken in the 72nd minute. Tamworth’s persistence paid off when Beck Ray Enoru delivered a precise assist for Manny Duku, who found the back of the net to put the visitors ahead for the first time in the match. This proved to be the decisive moment.
Despite late efforts from Boreham Wood, including the introduction of Luke Norris and Charles Clayden in the 78th minute, they were unable to find an equaliser. Tamworth defended resolutely in the closing stages, weathering the storm to secure all three points.
The result sees Boreham Wood remain in fifth place in the National League standings with 38 points from 19 games, while Tamworth climb to ninth, having accumulated 28 points from their 19 fixtures.
