Boreham Wood secured a convincing 2-0 victory over Southend United at Roots Hall, extending their impressive unbeaten run and solidifying their position near the top of the English National League. The visitors demonstrated clinical finishing and tactical discipline, leaving the home side to rue missed opportunities and a lack of cutting edge.
The tone for the evening was set early. Just two minutes into the contest, Southend’s Cavanagh Miley was shown a yellow card for a foul. The breakthrough arrived in the 11th minute when Abdul Abdulmalik opened the scoring for Boreham Wood, converting a chance assisted by Charlie O’Connell. This early strike put the visitors firmly in control.
Despite the setback, Southend United attempted to find their rhythm, but Boreham Wood’s defence proved resolute throughout the first half, which concluded with the visitors holding their slender one-goal advantage.
The second half saw Southend United make tactical adjustments, introducing Jack Bridge and James Morton from the bench at half-time. Further substitutions followed in the 60th and 61st minutes, with Sam Austin and Charley Kendall being replaced by James Golding and Tom Hopper respectively.
However, Boreham Wood weathered the pressure and extended their lead in the 75th minute. Abdul Abdulmalik, who had opened the scoring, turned provider this time, laying the ball off for Matt Rush to double their advantage. This second goal effectively sealed the victory for Luke Garrard’s side.
Boreham Wood continued to manage the game professionally. Chris Bush picked up a yellow card in the 54th minute for a foul. Southend made a final substitution in the 82nd minute, bringing on Josh Walker for Andy Dallas, but it was too little, too late.
The victory propels Boreham Wood further up the English National League table, reinforcing their status as genuine promotion contenders. They now sit comfortably in fourth place with 64 points from 33 games. Southend United, meanwhile, remain in seventh position with 52 points from 31 matches, a result that will do little to halt their recent dip in form, having now lost their last league outing.
