Eastleigh And Wood Revved Up For A Big BT Sport Battle

After a slow start to Vanarama National League life this season, Eastleigh have been looking more worldly wise in the last few weeks.

We often hear youth is the way forward, but Boreham Wood have the oldest team in the league this season.

It’s certainly not been a case of age concern for Luke Garrard.

In fact, the Wood manager credits bringing in vital experience for their stellar start - and says the older heads have made his side so much more knowledgeable.

The Hertfordshire club have made their best beginning for years and if results go their way they could sit atop the table come 8pm on Saturday night.

Five wins already has seen them fly out of the blocks and a statement win live on BT Sport this weekend would only enhance the feel-good factor.

Garrard gave his players Monday off after last Saturday’s 2-1 win over Yeovil Town.

But while his side did make hard work of it, he said after that the outcome would have been very different last year.

“In my opinion, we lose that game last season,” he told the club’s YouTube channel after. “At best we draw that.

“It’s about winning games of football by hook or by crook - and that’s what we have done this time.

“There seems to be more nouse within the group this year. We have players with more assurance. We don’t have a weak underbelly and there is more purpose about us.

“I also think we’re a bit nastier. We’re actually the oldest team in the league, alongside Bromley.

“That can help and hinder you,” the Boreham Wood manager adds. ”But so far we have really benefited from it.

“We’ve now got another big game live on the box against Eastleigh and we need to get ready for it.”

The Spitfires will know Wood have won at Weymouth, Bromley and Dover already this season.

But their own form in front of their fans has improved.

Not only did Eastleigh totally turn things around as they came back from the dead to defeat Woking 3-2 last time out.

They have now scored ten goals in their last three outings at the Silverlake.

The supporters may have loved it, but manager Ben Strevens says he didn’t exactly enjoy the turn-around last Saturday.

He wants a more polished performance as fourth-place Wood visit as they chase a third home win in a row.

After, he told the club’s website that their spirit is shining through.

He said: “The main thing is getting the victory But to say the least it was not a very good start to put ourselves in a very bad position.

“We showed great character and determination to try and come back and win a game.

“It was not the most enjoyable game to watch as a manager but very enjoyable to see the character.

“You just have to hope that a day like that gives them a memory for the next time they’re in a situation like this, they’ve shown now from losing positions and coming back to get it.

“We are unfortunate not to have a few more points on the board already but that’s the nature of football.”

Saturday’s match is live on BT Sport, kick-off 5.20pm.

PHOTOS BY GRAHAM SCAMBLER & WEYMOUTH FC