Boreham Wood made it a winning start to the new National League season with a 1-0 victory against Dagenham & Redbridge at Meadow Park on Saturday.

A solitary strike from Angelo Balanta seven minutes into the second period proved enough for Luke Garrard’s men to begin their 2018/19 season in the perfect fashion, against a Daggers side who would finish the match with ten men after former Wood academy defender Ben Goodliffe saw red.

In a cagey opening it was Chike Kandi who came closest for Dagenham after temporarily breaching the backline, only to be pulled up for offside.

The Wood would go close through Ricky Shakes and Tom Champion, before Femi Ilesanmi nearly made it a second debut to remember when he fizzed an effort from 25-yards narrowly wide of the left post.

In the second half, it was the home side who remained on the front foot as they forced a string of corners in the opening exchanges.

Excellent link up play between Keiran Murtagh and Balanta ended with the latter firing a curling effort that was well saved by Elliott Justham in the Daggers goal.

Moments later, Boreham Wood did have the lead when Danny Woodards and Shakes combined to find Balanta who tucked away the cross with a deft flick after 52 minutes.

They could have doubled that lead soon afterwards when Ilesanmi fired just wide after excellent work from Bradley Ash.

Ryan Huddart was kept busy, however, first from an excellent Will Wright effort and the second from substitute Lamar Reynolds who let fly from distance.

But having grown into the contest the visitors’ hopes of finishing the contest strongly were thwarted by a late red card for Goodliffe, following a mistimed tackle on Shakes, as the Wood edged out their visitors to take the spoils.

Meanwhile, it is two in and one out at Meadow Park following a busy few days in the transfer market for Boreham Wood.

Joining the club are Brentford duo Justin Shaibu and Ellery Balcombe who both penned “long-term loans” with the Hertfordshire side.

Shaibu is a Denmark Under-20s forward who first moved to Griffin Park in 2016 and briefly featured in the first team’s matchday squads following a run of 10 goals in 18 matches for their Development side. He previously spent time on loan in League One with Walsall.

Balcombe, meanwhile, is an England Under-20s goalkeeper who will provide competition for new signing Ryan Huddart and academy graduate Fred Burbidge.

It is understood that Balcombe has initially signed on loan until January 2019, while Shaibu is expected to stay at the National Leaguers for the duration of the 2018/19 season.

Leaving the Wood, however, is star striker Morgan Ferrier who has departed the club after reportedly being the subject of multiple approaches this summer.

The 23-year-old signed for League One side Walsall on Friday, making his debut for the Saddlers in their 2-1 win against Plymouth Argyle the following day.