Maidstone United have suffered the disappointment of defeat in the National League South play-off final after a superb strike from Charles Clayden was enough to give Boreham Wood promotion to the National League.

It was evident from early on that this game would likely be settled by a single goal. The Wood started strongly winning two corners inside the first two minutes. The second of these was delivered by Tom Whelan and Josef Yarney was inches away from connecting with it at the back post.

Maidstone quickly found their stride though. Riley Court surged into the box and his deflected effort was saved by Nathan Ashmore. Then on 22 minutes, Bivesh Gurung’s low shot was on target only for Ashmore to get down quickly to make the stop.

Boreham Wood should have taken the lead not long after this. The home side overloaded the Maidstone defence down the right and the ball was slipped into Jayden Richardson who put the chance on a plate for former Stones player Matt Rush who some how couldn’t score from close range.

The Stones then strung together a neat move. Ben Brookes’ free-kick went to Aaron Blair who returned the ball to Brookes and his cross was headed goalwards by George Fowler. Ashmore was alert to the danger though and made a flying save.

Two minutes after the restart, Boreham Wood got what turned out to be the winner. Maidstone couldn’t get the ball off Abdul Abdulmalik as he kept possession well and he laid it off to Charles Clayden whose lashed a rising drive into the net.

Maidstone responded with a spell of pressure and they went close on the hour. Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong did well and he gave it to George Fowler who lifted the ball just over the bar. But after a series of substitutions, the Stones began to falter as Boreham Wood stifled the game by keeping the ball.

The final chance of the afternoon fell to the home side. Matt Rush picked out substitute Kwesi Appiah but Appiah slipped when well placed. In the end, Boreham Wood held on comfortably and the Stones will compete again in the National League South next season.

Maidstone United: –

Boreham Wood: Charles Clayden 47

Boreham Wood: 1. Nathan Ashmore, 3. Femi Ilesanmi, 7. Tom Whelan, 11. Jon Benton (10. Tyrone Marsh 84), 15. Charlie O’Connell, 16. Callum Reynolds, 17. Charles Clayden (14. Kwesi Appiah 71), 20. Abdul Abdulmalik (4. Jack Payne 81), 26. Jayden Richardson, 29. Josef Yarney (5. Chris Bush 64), 32. Matt Rush. Subs not used: 2. Cameron Coxe, 8. Mo Sagaf, 18. Junior Dixon.

Maidstone United:1. Alexis Andre Jr, 4. Reece Greenidge (14. Harry Kyprianou 90), 5. George Fowler, 2. Temi Eweka, 3. Ben Brookes, 7. Jordan Higgs (10. Shaq Coulthirst 77), 18. Bivesh Gurung (6.Pharrell Willis 68), 20. Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong, 17. Riley Court (12. Arj Kransinqi 68), 19. Tom Leahy (8. Sam Corne 55), 9. Aaron Blair. Subs not used: 13. Lenny Holden, 16. Tayt Trusty.