Regan Booty’s first goal of the season completed Boreham Wood’s comeback in a 2-1 victory at Woking, extending the National League leaders’ unbeaten start to 15 matches and securing an eighth successive win despite Zak Brunt missing a penalty for the second game running.
Luke Garrard named an unchanged side following Saturday’s 4-0 victory over AFC Fylde, and Brunt created the visitors’ first opportunity in the seventh minute with a shot from the edge of the penalty area that Vicente Reyes gathered. Woking threatened through Harrison Sohna, whose free-kick passed narrowly wide in the 20th minute.
The hosts took the lead three minutes later when Sohna delivered from the right and Josh Kelly guided a header into the bottom corner beyond Ted Curd. It was Kelly’s third goal against Boreham Wood in 10 days, having scored twice in Woking’s 3-2 FA Cup defeat at Meadow Park on 17 October.
Boreham Wood equalised in the 31st minute after Tarryn Allarakhia crossed into the penalty area and Ben Whitfield headed the ball into Tylor Golden’s path. The defender met it with a first-time left-footed volley that flew beyond Reyes to make it 1-1. Woking nearly regained the lead immediately, but Liam Dulson’s cross was flicked over by Kelly.
The visitors had an opportunity to go ahead four minutes after the restart when they were awarded a penalty, but Reyes dived to save Brunt’s spot-kick. The goalkeeper had also denied James Norwood from the spot against Scunthorpe United three days earlier, while Brunt had missed a penalty against Fylde on Saturday.
Boreham Wood continued creating chances as Charlie McArthur blocked Jay Bird’s attempt in the 51st minute before Reyes saved from Allarakhia. Steven Turner went close for Woking with a curling effort from the edge of the area, but Reyes was increasingly busy at the other end, producing an excellent save from Brunt in the 67th minute and denying the midfielder again shortly afterwards.
Garrard introduced Danny Cashman and Matt Rush in the 73rd minute, but it was Booty who finally beat Reyes six minutes later. Oliver Bainbridge found the midfielder on the edge of the penalty area and Booty drove a left-footed shot into the corner to score his first goal of the campaign and put Boreham Wood ahead.
Woking’s task became harder in the 83rd minute when Turner was shown a straight red card for a late challenge on Charlie O’Connell. Brunt had another effort saved by Reyes as Boreham Wood looked to extend their lead, but the visitors were unable to add a third.
The hosts still threatened in stoppage time when Jaiden Putman’s free-kick found Charlie McArthur, whose header drifted narrowly wide. Boreham Wood held on to complete a second victory over Woking in 10 days, following their FA Cup success earlier in the month.
The result gave Garrard’s side 13 wins and two draws from their opening 15 National League matches, extending their winning sequence to eight games and taking them to 41 points at the top of the table. Woking dropped to 14th with 18 points from 15 games, having suffered their seventh league defeat of the season.
