NL 2025/26 Squad Update and Pre-season: Boreham Wood

29th July 2025 3:53 pm

Wood Work to Find Form in Pre-Season Tests

Boreham Wood endured a challenging pre-season campaign, failing to register a win in seven outings but showing glimpses of promise against strong opposition. Luke Garrard’s side opened with back-to-back defeats to Luton Town (0–3) and Watford (0–2) before battling to consecutive 2–2 draws against Arsenal and Tottenham academy teams, with Junior Dixon, Charles Clayden, and Matt Rush among the scorers.

A 3–1 loss at Billericay followed despite Aaron Henry’s stunning first goal for the club, and a spirited fightback at Maidenhead ended in a narrow 3–2 defeat with Rush netting twice. Their final friendly saw West Ham U21s, featuring Michail Antonio, claim a 2–1 win at Meadow Park.

Despite winless results, Boreham Wood displayed attacking intent and resilience, often pushing EFL and Premier League academy sides close. Nathan Ashmore impressed in goal throughout, while new signings Henry and Sousa made their mark alongside promising performances from Clayden and Rush. Garrard used the fixtures to rotate heavily, integrate trialists, and sharpen fitness levels ahead of their return to the National League.

The pre-season highlighted both positives and areas for improvement: Wood showed creativity in forward areas and battled well in spells but struggled defensively against quick transitions and set-piece situations. With competitive minutes banked and squad depth tested, Boreham Wood will aim to translate lessons learned into a stronger start when the season kicks off.

Pre-season results at a glance

Boreham Wood 0–3 Luton Town
📅 July 5 | ❌ Loss
📝 A tough opener against Championship-quality opposition. Nathan Ashmore was busy in goal, making key saves, but Wood struggled to contain Luton’s clinical finishing.

Boreham Wood 0–2 Watford
📅 July 8 | ❌ Loss
📝 Another EFL test as Watford controlled possession. Ashmore impressed again, while Junior Dixon had Wood’s best chance late on.

Boreham Wood 2–2 Arsenal XI
📅 July 12 | 🤝 Draw
⚽ Rush, Dixon
📝 A bright attacking display saw Rush score early and Dixon equalise late. Clayden was a standout on the left, and Aaron Henry showed flashes of quality in midfield.

Boreham Wood 1–3 Billericay Town
📅 July 15 | ❌ Loss
⚽ Henry
📝 Despite Henry’s stunning first goal for the club, Wood couldn’t capitalise on numerous chances. Dixon rattled the crossbar as Billericay punished defensive lapses.

Boreham Wood 2–2 Tottenham Hotspur XI
📅 July 19 | 🤝 Draw
⚽ Clayden (2)
📝 Clayden dazzled with a brace as Wood led 2–0 before Spurs fought back to level. Ashmore made several key saves to preserve the draw.

Maidenhead United 3–2 Boreham Wood
📅 July 22 | ❌ Loss
⚽ Rush (2)
📝 Rush continued his scoring form with a brace, but a poor start saw Maidenhead race into an early two-goal lead that Wood couldn’t overturn.

Boreham Wood 1–2 West Ham United U21s
📅 July 25 | ❌ Loss
⚽ Sousa
📝 Sousa netted after Antonio’s double for West Ham. Late pressure saw Reynolds hit the bar, but Wood couldn’t find an equaliser.

Key performers

Nathan Ashmore – Consistently excellent in goal, producing big saves to keep scorelines respectable.
Charles Clayden – Lively on the left, scored a brace vs Spurs and assisted in other games.
Matt Rush – Netted three pre-season goals, showing strong poaching instincts.
Aaron Henry – Scored a thunderbolt against Billericay and added creativity in midfield.
Junior Dixon – Young forward with energy and late equaliser vs Arsenal XI.
Erico Sousa – Showed technical ability and composure with a well-taken goal against West Ham.

Tactical notebook and insights

Heavy Rotation: Garrard rotated lineups frequently to build fitness and assess depth, giving trialists and youngsters minutes.
Attacking Sparks: Clayden, Rush, and Dixon provided bright moments in attack with good movement and finishing.
Defensive Concerns: Conceded multiple early goals; set-piece defending and transitions remain a weakness.
Midfield Creativity: Henry and Sousa showed potential to unlock defences with vision and long-range strikes.
Fitness Building: Despite results, players gained valuable minutes against strong EFL and Premier League opposition.

Updated squad list

Signings since July

Luke Norris (Tranmere Rovers)
Tom White (Morecambe)

Earlier in the summer

New signings: Junior Dixon (signed permanently from Birmingham City after a loan spell last season), Joe Newton (Solihull Moors), Aaron Henry (Charlton Athletic), Jeff King (On Loan until January 2026, York City)
Retained squad: Nathan Ashmore (GK), Jack Payne (now player-Assistant Manager), Chris Bush, Jon Benton, Charlie O’Connell, Callum Reynolds, Charles Clayden, Abdul Abdulmalik, Matt Rush, Femi Ilesanmi, Tom Whelan, Erico Sousa, Cameron Coxe
Players departed: David Agbontohoma, Mo Sagraf, Tyrone Marsh, Josh Hare, Kwesi Appiah (Ebbsfleet United)
Loan players returned to parent clubs: Gus Mafuta (Solihull Moors)