A dogged display by Bromley ensured they returned from Hertfordshire with a useful point that catapulted them up to seventh and back into the playoff positions.
With both teams starting the day just outside the playoffs, in an increasingly congested National League table, the match was always likely to be a cagey affair and so it proved over the course of the 90 minutes.
Due to a combination of injury and squad rotation, Neil Smith had shuffled his starting XI following Tuesday nights home defeat to Maidenhead United. Out went Tyrone Sterling, Alan Dunne and Jordan Higgs to be replaced by Ben Wynter, Frankie Sutherland and Brett Williams. The reshuffle meant a change in the backline at left back as Frankie Raymond deputised for Sterling and Bromley reverted to a 4-4-2.
That the first half witnessed four goals would on paper suggest that the half was an end to end thriller, in truth the goals were the only real noteworthy events of the first half as very little was created otherwise. As it was Neil Smith will undoubtedly feel that both Boreham Wood goals were preventable as both came courtesy of defensive errors.
The first goal of the half arrived in the 25th minute when Dan Johnson failed to clear his lines allowing Cheltenham Town loanee Dan Holman to slot the loose ball home from a few yards out to score his first goal for Boreham Wood.
However the home side’s lead did not last long, Josh Rees equalised for the Ravens seven minutes later when he was left criminally unmarked in the Boreham Wood penalty area. Befitting his position as Bromley’s top scorer the box to box midfielder made no mistake with a header from Frankie Raymond’s corner. That said Grant Smith in the Boreham Wood goal will no doubt feel he should have done better.
Bromley promptly took the lead themselves with their next attack. Brett Williams received a clearance just inside the Boreham Wood before launching a solo run that took him past three defenders. However as he entered the penalty area he appeared to have overcooked it, in desperation his last ditch slide not only kept the ball in play but diverted it to a lurking Luke Wanadio on the edge of the 18 yard box. The tricky winger took one touch before curling a sumptuous effort beyond Smith into the bottom corner of the net.
Bromley’s joy was to be short-lived, however, as they undid their hardwork no less than two minutes later. Another Boreham Wood set piece was poorly dealt with as Louis Dennis’ soft header only made it as far as Mark Ricketts whose cross back into the area was turned in by Jamie Turley.
The second half was a much tighter affair with goal mouth opportunities at a premium. Boreham Wood were the better of the two sides as the half wore on showing more intent to grab a third goal, but despite the promptings of National league top scorer Bruno Andrade the Wood were unable to find a way past the Bromley rearguard.
In the 61st minute Angelo Balanta fed Holman but the striker’s fizzed effort flashed wide of David Gregory’s left post.
Four minutes later great wing play saw Andrade beat Raymond on the byline but his driven cross evaded every player in the penalty area when any touch would have resulted in a goal.
For Bromley the closest they came in the second half was a Jordan Higgs effort from 20 yards which forced Smith into a low save.
Six minutes from time they nearly stole the game against the run of play when an onrushing Williams met Wanadio’s cross but failed to turn the ball home.
For both sides attention will now turn to next Saturdays big FA Cup 1st round ties against League One opposition as Bromley travel to Rochdale whilst Boreham Wood will host Blackpool. Both non-league sides will fancy that they are capable of pulling off an upset.
Boreham Wood: G Smith, K Smith, Turley, Stephens, Wells, Shakes, Ricketts, Murtagh, Balanta (Jeffers 67), Andrade, Holman (Turgott 73)
Subs not used: Benson, Woodards, Champion
Goals: Holman 25, Turley 40
Bromley: Gregory, Winter, Holland, Johnson , Raymond, Wanadio, Sutherland, Rees, Mekki (Higgs 64), Dennis (Campbell 73), Williams
Subs not used: Dunne, Allen, Enver
Goals: Rees 32, Wanadio 38
Referee: Mr Sam Allison