A look ahead to Boreham Wood’s game with AFC Fylde this evening

After a dramatic first night in the National League play-offs yesterday evening, the second play-off eliminator is quickly upon us as AFC Fylde travel to Boreham Wood.
Luke Garrard’s Boreham Wood ended the regular season in fourth position after easing to a 3-1 win at home to already relegated Guiseley. The victory was their 20th win in what has been a superb season for the Hertfordshire club, which has seen them finish in their record highest ever position during their 70 year history.
Since gaining promotion from the National League South in the summer of 2015 Boreham Wood went on to finish in 19th and 11th place in their first two seasons at Step One level before launching a promotion bid this year.
Speaking to Boreham Wood’s official website, Garrard, who has a fully fit squad to choose from tonight after Jamie Turley returned from injury, said, “We have gone through where we feel we can hurt them and their threats, which is obviously open-attacking football, which you see in their goals for tally.”
Indeed, despite finishing in 7th-place in the National League table, AFC Fylde were the division’s highest goalscorers during the regular season, having found the net an impressive 82 times during their 46 league games.
This ratiowas helped in no small part by the form of striker Danny Rowe, who scored 26 goals in a superb campaign which saw him named as the Vanarama National League Player of the Year.
Like Boreham Wood, AFC Fylde have surprised fans and pundits alike with their performances this season. The Coasters are looking to achieve back to back promotions after sweeping to the National League North title last year.
Speaking ahead of tonight’s game, AFC Fylde manager Dave Challinor said, “It is a very, very unique environment and this year’s format changes it all again.
“They are now one-off games and we already know who we will face in the next round.
“The majority of the time, the team that performs best will go through, but there can be anomalies or sometimes that bit of luck that can decide the fate of a club’s whole season.
“Anything can happen on the night. I’m sure there will be plenty of emotion and 22 lads out there doing everything they can to win.
“It will be tense and not particularly enjoyable from my point of view, however there is no better feeling than achieving promotion through the play-offs.