Preview: Dover Athletic vs. Boreham Wood - prediction, team news, lineups

Boreham Wood will be looking to keep their perfect winning start to the National League campaign intact on Monday, when they travel to the Crabble Athletic Ground to tackle Dover Athletic.

While the hosts suffered defeat in their opening match of the season, the visiting contingent made it two wins from two last time out.

Match preview

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Even before getting the chance to have a kick of the ball this season, Dover Athletic have already taken a spot at the basement of the standings, after being docked 12 points by the National League.

The Whites found themselves in this precarious situation after failing to fulfill their fixtures last term amid the coronavirus pandemic as they played only 15 games, prompting the English FA to expunge their entire campaign.

Now Dover are in a difficult position, and will have to overcome this massive point deficit before they can even begin to attempt to climb up the league table.

Kickstarting their campaign away at Maidenhead United, Dover failed to get going throughout the game, and were ultimately handed a 2-0 defeat, courtesy of goals from Josh Kelly and Sam Barratt.

Following the loss, head coach Andy Hessenthaler expressed his displeasure at the current state of the club, insisting that survival this season will feel like a promotion.

Dover are bereft of confidence at the moment, and high-flying Boreham Wood will be looking to exploit Hessenthaler's troubled side to pick up maximum points to keep their perfect winning start to the campaign intact.

Luke Garrard's men endured a torrid campaign last time out, where they finished up in 14th place with only 55 points from 42 matches, which is a poor record for a club of Boreham Wood's stature.

However, following that dismal season, the Wood are looking to hit their former high marks once again this term as they set their sights on promotion, and are already on the right path to achieving this feat.

Last time out, Boreham Wood were made to dig deep for victory against Aldershot Town as Jamal Fyfield's 65th-minute effort proved the only difference between the two sides at full time.

Enjoying a stellar start to the campaign with maximum points from their opening two games, Garrard's men will be keen to extend their winning run with another positive result on Monday.

Team News

Hessenthaler may have recently captured Adam Parkes from Watford but Josh Bexon is expected to continue in goal.

Ben Williamson and Aaron Cosgrave made their debut against Maidenhead United last time out, and should keep their place in the starting XI as they look to set up a strike partnership up top.

Ryan David Hanson, who was hauled off at half time on the last matchday, may find his starting berth handed to Travis Gregory for this fixture.

Boreham Wood's Jamal Fyfield was on target in their previous game and should keep his spot in midfield here.

Garrard is unlikely to make any major changes to the side that toppled Aldershot Town on Saturday as he targets another win in this contest.

Dover Athletic possible starting lineup:
Bexon; Johnson, Goodman, Woods, Wood; Collinge, Bramble, Gregory, Miller; Williamson, Cosgrave

Boreham Wood possible starting lineup:
Ashmore; Ilesanmi, Evans, Ricketts, Mendy; Fyfield, Smith, Rees, Raymond; Boden, Marsh

We say: Dover Athletic 1-3 Boreham Wood

It appears there is no saving Dover Athletic at the moment, as they ponder on a scheme to help them out of their current unfortunate situation.

With the low confidence level in their camp, the hosts are heading into this game with a handicap - one that Boreham Wood will be happy to exploit to stroll to a comfortable win.