Michael Folivi believes playing under Boreham Wood manager Luke Garrard is the “best thing that could have happened” to him.

The Watford youngster was on target in a 3-2 win over Sutton United on Sunday as the Meadow Park club booked their place in the National League play-off final.

Folivi has provided back up to Morgan Ferrier and Angelo Balanta this season and says he has learned plenty under the stewardship of Garrard.

“Luke is probably the best thing that could have happened to me this season,” Folivi told the Watford website.

“It is so welcoming when a manager comes to you and expresses how much he needs or wants you.

“I knew it would be hard to get a start, but I’ve played pretty much every game, whether that’s coming on or starting.

“So long as I’m involved, and the team are winning, at the end of the day I’m a team player and it’s about the experience.

“I’m still learning, and it is football, so things happen, injuries happen and you get your chance and hopefully you can take it.”

Folivi’s opportunity has arrived in the National League play-offs after an injury to Ferrier before their elimination clash with AFC Fylde.

Having helped the Wood to a 2-1 win over Fylde, Folivi retained his place for the clash with Sutton on Sunday.

He marked that appearance with an 88th minute effort and says preparation ensured he was able to seamlessly fill in for the injured Ferrier.

“Luckily enough, right before I got substituted the ball bounced to me in front of the line so I couldn’t really miss it,” Folivi said of his goal.

“It must have been a few minutes until the starting XI had to go inside to go through some last-minute tactics and I heard one of the players shouting my name.

“I’d seen my team-mate hobbling off, and it was one of the strikers, so I put two and two together.

“I prepared right, as if I was starting the game, because I knew he was struggling from before the game. I managed to get the assist and I helped the team get through.”