National League side Boreham Wood FC have enjoyed a fairytale run in the FA Cup so far, and are now the only non-league team left in the competition. Stunning League One’s AFC Wimbledon and Championship promotion chasers Bournemouth FC, the Wood are the first non-league team to qualify for the Fifth Round of the cup for five years – and several UCFB students have been lucky enough to be part of this incredible journey.
Ellise Lowe, a BA (Hons) Sports Business and Sports Broadcasting student and Videographer at the club, said: “Boreham Wood’s FA Cup journey so far has been absolutely amazing. I’m speechless really, to think where we were back in October playing against Barnet in the qualifiers to now. There are so many positive things I could say, but that feeling after the final whistle blew at The Vitality Stadium - it’s unforgettable. I’m beyond proud of this club and more than grateful to be a part of it and experience this journey with them.”
The Wood may have defeated the odds so far, but their next battle will undoubtedly be their greatest yet – facing Everton at Goodison Park this Thursday. Moving from their modest stadium capacity of 1,700 capacity, to the Blue’s 39,500, the game promises to be a classic, the biggest in Boreham Wood’s 74 year history, whatever the result.
Michael Day, also a BA (Hons) Sports Business and Sports Broadcasting student, said: “The whole experience has been surreal, and it makes those Tuesday night away to trips to Halifax and Grimsby worth it! It’s an amazing club to be a part of, they’ve made us feel so welcome since we first started. Goodison Park here we come!”
In a gesture that embodies the ethos of the FA Cup, Everton have offered to pay for Boreham Wood's kit for the match, as it was decided that the visitors' current kits would have clashed with the Evertonian blue. While the relationship is touchingly amicable off the pitch, Boreham Wood will have one thing on their mind come Thursday – a place in the Quarter final.
🗣 “We were worried about our first game in the FA Cup, I’ve got to be honest - it wasn’t a nice tie!”
— LV BET_UK (@LVbet_com) February 28, 2022
We caught up with @BOREHAM_WOODFC boss Luke Garrard days before the big game at Everton
He was concerned Wood wouldn’t make it past the 4th Qualifying Round!😳 pic.twitter.com/Nn2aqdSnzN
It may be a feat no non-league team has ever managed before, but that’s not deflated the dressing rooms at Boreham. Michael finished: “We haven’t been expected to win any game; it’s 90 minutes of football and anything could happen.”
Ellise echoed his thoughts: “We haven’t got this far for us not to put out a real fight, so I’m backing us to win 1-2, with goals from Tyrone Marsh and Clifton.”
