Promotion Final Preview: Boreham Wood v Maidstone United
Two clubs who really know how to handle the big occasion are all set for a promotion shoot-out - but which one holds their nerve?
Boreham Wood and Maidstone United have captured hearts over the past few years thanks to their FA Cup exploits.
Games with Everton, Bournemouth, Ipswich and Coventry City were great fun - but now there’s an even bigger 90 minutes ahead of them.
The two managers in the pilot seat for those tremendous runs are still at the helm. So who wins back their place in the National League?
The story so far…
It’s a final between the teams who finished fifth and seventh, but anyone who has watched the play-offs so far will find it hard to say this isn’t the right final.
Boreham Wood delivered a deadly knock-out blow to Dorking in a thriller before an impressive and professional win at Torquay United.
The Stones have simply shone. First, they went to Worthing - last season’s finalists - and won 2-0.
Then they did something no other club has managed all season, winning at Eastbourne Borough. They did it with ten men and many Maidstone fans are convinced it’s written in the stars!
Head-to-head
August 31 Boreham Wood 1-1 Maidstone United
March 29: Maidstone United 4-0 Boreham Wood
Top scorers
Boreham Wood:
Kwesi Appiah: 24
Matt Rush: 18
Erico Sousa: 8
Maidstone United:
Aaron Blair: 20
Solomon Wanjau-Smith: 8
Ben Brookes: 7
What the managers have said….
Luke Garrard, Boreham Wood: “I am thankful I can have the opportunity to right some wrongs. When returning to the club back in early September, I made it very clear there was one objective and that was to get promotion.
“We know we have a tough task in front of us, have prepared for all Maidstone’s threats and we have to be at our best to get the result.
“We have been a different beast in recent weeks, gathering momentum and hitting the play-offs in a great run of form.
“Now, it’s time for us to put all the hard work into practice, finish the job we are all desperate to achieve and go out and deliver on a performance that gives us the best feeling in football - promotion.”
George Elokobi, Maidstone United: “After 48 games, it all comes down to this.
“I am delighted we reached the final and progress one step further than we did last season. Now, our group of players can come together for one last time. I am so proud of them.
“They thoroughly deserve this opportunity, and I know yhey will fight for one another and I know they will leave everything out on that pitch.”
Where next?
