by John Gill

Lewes 2
Boreham Wood 2
Blue Square Bet South

Boreham Wood extended their unbeaten run to three games when the club travelled to play Lewes and drew 2–2 at the Dripping Pan ground on Saturday.

The match was played with strong winds blowing and driving rain falling throughout, which detracted from the quality of the football.

Wood manager Ian Allinson was forced to make one change to his starting line-up with Ola Sogbanmu replacing the unavailable Nicky Nicolau, whilst Lewes manager Tim O’Shea included three new signings; Joe Tabiri, Lyle Taylor and Gary Noel.

Wood took an eighth minute lead after Lyle Taylor and Gary Noel had missed chances for Lewes.

Luke Wilkinson played a long ball forward and Ola Sogbanmu played it one side of goalkeeper Chris Winterton, on the edge of his penalty area, and ran around him to shoot into the empty net.

Ali Chaaban had a good chance to increase Wood’s lead but was foiled by Winterton.

However he made no mistake in the eighteenth minute, when Luke Garrard’s pass to Elliott Godfrey on the right ended with a perfect cross to Chaaban, who looped his header over Winterton from twelve yards and into the net for a 0–2 lead.

Lewes forced several corner kicks throughout the first half but failed to make any impression on the resolute Wood defence.

Elvijs Putnins made a fine save to keep out a shot from Lyle Taylor, but after 33 minutes Taylor did manage to score with a long range shot that deceived Putnins at the near post.

This goal inspired Lewes and three minutes later Gary Noel shot just wide of the Wood goal from inside the penalty area.

Wood survived a spell of pressure from Lewes, but suffered a blow after 39 minutes when striker Ola Sogbanmu suffered an injury and after three minutes treatment on the sideline he was replaced by Substitute Bobby Aisien.

Aisien played in defence whilst Luke Garrard pushed forward and Elliott Godfrey joined Ali Chaaban in attack.

With the wind and driving rain at their backs Lewes’ second half performance showed much improvement and they put Wood under pressure for long spells.

However the visitors did manage to force two successive corners in the 52nd minute, but the Lewes defence kept them out.

Luke Garrard received treatment for an injury on the hour and continued for a further five minutes before being replaced by substitute Jordan Hibbert.

Lewes finally scored an equaliser after seventy minutes, when pacy winger David Wheeler ran clear on the right and crossed to the waiting Gary Noel, who made no mistake from close range.

Unfortunately for Noel, he injured himself whilst scoring and took no further part in the game.

Mario Noto had a free kick for Wood, but the ball was punched clear by Winterton, as the visitors searched for a late winner.

It was not to be and Wood had to settle for a draw in very difficult conditions.

Boreham Wood: Putnins, Garrard (Hibbert 65), Cestor, Moran, Wilkinson, Noto, Morgan, Risbridger, Chaaban, Godfrey, Sogbanmu (Aisien 42)