Effiong at the treble as Wood go third (From Borehamwood Times)

Inih Effiong scores hat-trick to fire Boreham Wood to convincing win over Billericay Town

10:57am Tuesday 2nd October 2012 in Sport

An Inih Effiong hat-trick brushed aside Billericay Town last night as the Essex visitors were outplayed from start to finish at fortress Meadow Park in a 3-0 defeat.

Wood have conceded just once in five starts at home and this was the fourth time they have posted three goals in a game in their own back yard, making it a daunting place to come for visiting teams.

With other sides yet to play their tenth matches of the season, Wood are now third in the Blue Square South table, just a point behind joint leaders Salisbury City and Dorchester Town who meet tonight.

The victory was not without consequence however. Omer Riza lasted just nine minutes before succumbing to a groin injury. But his replacement, Effiong, stepped up to the plate in some style, with the outstanding Graeme Montgomery providing the flair in the absence of Riza.

A mistimed challenge by Junior Luke on Luke Garrard in the second half left the Wood captain unable to continue and he was seen leaving the dug-out on crutches with an ice pack strapped to his ankle at the final whistle.

Garrard, along with Charlie O'Louglin and Ben Nunn, went straight back into the side after serving their three-match suspensions and to a man were fired up and ready for the challenge.

The hosts produced some of their best football of the season, yet at half-time were just a goal to the good with very few other chances of note to reflect upon.

Wood boss Ian Allinson accused his side of “trying to force things early on before getting ahead, from which point we settled down, shortened our passing game and went on to dominate”.

The first chance came when Montgomery swung a fine cross over from the right which Riza stretched to meet, firing just wide before limping off.

It took Wood a while to readjust, with Montgomery leading the charge with a truly memorable performance. James Russell was a virtual spectator in the Wood goal, with O'Loughlin insurmountable upon his return to action.

Confidence ebbed through the Wood side, with O'Loughlin's clearance touched on by David Hutton and he released Effiong, who tried to find the space to shoot before his effort was eventually charged down.

Cliff Akurang then sublimely left his marker, passing him on his blind side before charging towards goal, with his shot careering just wide of Dale Brightly's right-hand post.

The breakthrough came in the 34th minute.

Chez Isaac sprayed a quick first time ball out to Nunn on the right wing. Nunn, moving at some pace, managed to produce a fine curling ball on to the head of Effiong, who out-jumped his marker to glance a fine header beyond Brightly.

It was no more than Wood deserved for their efforts to date.

Luke’s massive throw-in almost caught the Wood defence out, before Montgomery orchestrated proceedings with his passing and moving game.

Effiong had a great opportunity to make it two after 50 minutes. Montgomery's 60-yard cross-field ball was touched on by Mark Jones for Hutton. His cross was perfect for the run of the giant forward yet he skied his shot when perfectly placed.

Three minutes later he atoned.

A route one clearance and a poor decision from Chris Wild allowed the ball to bounce and Effiong pounced, running on to finish with aplomb past Brightly.

Thereafter the game opened up and with Isaac breaking up everything that went through the middle of the park and the likes of Akurang getting back to assist admirably in defence, it was a lost cause for the visitors.

Nunn provided his second assist after 66 minute for Effiong to complete a convincing hat-trick.

Montgomery started the move and with Nunn playing the ball inside from the right to feet, Effiong span and left the hapless Wild standing, before smashing home his and Wood's third of the night.

Montgomery played on until the end, trying an audacious lob with minutes remaining as Wood closed out yet another superb home performance.

It was a great win but Allinson said: “We played better at Tonbridge after going two down in seven minutes. That said, if we can take this on to Northwood in the FA Cup on Saturday I will be very pleased.

“Inih took his chances very well tonight and we looked comfortable after going ahead.”

Boreham Wood: Russell, Nunn, Jones, Garrard (Morgan 74), O'Loughlin, Reynolds, Hutton, Isaac, Riza (Effiong 9), Akurang (Scott-Morris 85), Montgomery. Not used: Close and Jefford.