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Luke Garrard believes making home advantage and momentum count is key to Promotion Final victory
If you like your football drama, Boreham Wood has been the place to be in the season's run-in.
Not only were the club involved in the National League South's ridiculous last day, where any of the top six could have been crowned champions, but having earned a play-off place, they made the final thanks to an eliminator victory that saw them come from 3-1 down with seven minutes to go and win 4-3.
Fans will hope there's slightly less drama as they host Maidstone United in the Promotion Final on Sunday - a game you can see live on DAZN - and speaking exclusively to DAZN News, the Wood's boss Luke Garrard outlined the factors that will play a key role for his side.
Garrard believes the momentum gained throughout the second half of the season will be crucial, and his team must take full advantage of the game being on home turf.
He explained, "I write in my program notes that the form guide kind of goes out the window, but momentum doesn't. Momentum, belief and confidence remain within the group.
"It's a big thing for us as a club to have it at home. I don't think there's any added pressure. It's a nice pressure because we have filled that many a time in recent years, whether that's AFC Wimbledon or St Albans as of late in the FA Cup first round this year. We do react to a fan base.
"They're going to have their numbers. I went and watched the Worthing game against Maidstone. I went and watched the Eastbourne game against Maidstone live, as we were potentially going to face any of them at their home ground. The noise that Maidstone brought in both games was impressive, and I can imagine it will be the case on Sunday.
"But for us, it's about home advantage to an extent. We can probably outnumber Maidstone 3-1, which is massive, and the fans since I've returned have been great.
"I'm looking forward to them watching us, being a part of that and trying to improve us and influence us as best as possible.
"It's sold out within two days, which tells you where the fans are at. They're desperate to come and watch. So, yeah, I'm excited for that one, 100%."
A win for Boreham Wood would see the club bounce back to the National League at the first attempt, having been relegated from the division last season.
Having experienced the quality of teams across both leagues over the last two campaigns, Garrard knows what will be required if his team do win promotion with victory on Sunday.
"If we get there, recruitment needs to be important," Garrard added.
"We got relegated the year before last and recruitment totally at my door. Recruitment wasn't good enough and I have to look at that individually, collectively and we need to make sure that we're patient because we probably rushed a few things. So I do believe recruitment will be important in our success for next year.
"We are trying to bring certain personnel to the club, whether in the National South or the National League, and it comes with obviously trying to lower our average age, something that we have been conscious of in recent years.DAZN
"So yeah, we're looking, hopefully fingers crossed, because we don't want to just be tinkering around the bottom six and having to look over our shoulder because that's a completely different pressure. But we know we've got work to do.
"We know that we have to make sure that we get the right personnel in. We've got a great base, we've got a lovely core that we've got in the building that are on deals for next year and the year after.
"So yeah, fingers crossed that we get the job done."
But how does Garred assess Sunday and opponents, Maidstone? The Kent side have quietly gone about the business during the dramatic promotion battle and knocked off Eastbourne Borough to get to the final and the Borewood Boss has nothing but admiration for the work George Elokobi has done there.
"They are a massive club. Massive, massive club. Good following," he finished by saying.
"Good management team. Good squad. Key areas that can hurt you, especially on their front line.
"I think they've had a really good season. I feel that they're a side that are obviously full-time alongside ourselves. You can see that everyone who was around at the top of the National South are full-time models - except for Worthing.
"So full credit to Worthing to come and blow with the ones that are training full-time and being a professional outfit.
"But Maidstone have been great and they'll be reflective of their management for sure and we need to make sure that we're right on our game.Boreham Wood
"If we can play to our maximum across the board, we don't carry too many passengers, then fingers crossed we can overcome what Maidstone have to offer on Sunday."
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