Match report as National League side Boreham Wood shock Bournemouth 1-0 to reach the FA Cup fifth round for the first time in their history; Mark Ricketts scores game's only goal on 38 minutes to set up last-16 tie with Everton; Boreham Wood yet to concede in FA Cup this season
Monday 7 February 2022 11:43, UK
National League side Boreham Wood produced the shock of the FA Cup fourth round by beating Bournemouth 1-0 to set up a last-16 tie with Everton.
Boreham Wood, the lowest-ranked side left in the competition, showed no signs of being overawed by their Championship opponents at the Vitality Stadium and deservedly took the lead in the 38th minute when 37-year-old Mark Ricketts slotted a low shot in off the post.
Bournemouth improved after the break with the introductions of Todd Cantwell and Ryan Christie as they went in search of an equaliser but despite dominating possession, Scott Parker's side struggled to break down a resilient Boreham Wood defence.
Bournemouth's best opportunity arguably came in the 76th minute when Philip Billing beat the offside trap to go one-on-one with Boreham Wood goalkeeper Taye Ashby-Hammond, but his attempted lob cleared the crossbar.
Three minutes later Ashby-Hammond, on loan from Fulham, produced a brilliant double save to deny Christie and Billing before Jaidon Anthony's effort was flagged offside.
Despite increased pressure from the home side and a huge chance for Dominic Solanke deep into stoppage time, Boreham Wood held on for a famous victory to reach the fifth round for the first time.
They will now travel to Frank Lampard's Everton in the last 16 for arguably the biggest game in their 74-year history, a fitting reward for club chairman Danny Hunter who remortgaged his house to help the club through lockdown.
Boreham Wood are the first non-league team to make the fifth round since Sutton United and Lincoln City in 2017.
Incredibly, the Hertfordshire club are yet to concede a goal in five FA Cup rounds, including a third-round win over League One side AFC Wimbledon.
Speaking to ITV Sport after the game, Boreham Wood manager Luke Garrard said: "I am in tatters. I am on top of the world, the emotions at the minute are incredible.
"We rode our luck. I tell my boy every Sunday to be a good team player. That is what we did. I am going to get emotional, they are unbelievable these boys.
"To a man, staff, people in the boardroom that is for them. It was the last 10 for me, the headers.
"It is just amazing. I thought they were going to hit us for eight, this hasn't registered with me at all.
"I love Frank [Lampard], Ashley Cole (Everton coach) is the best left-back Arsenal ever had. To be able to pit my wits against them, it hasn't sunk in yet.
"I was buzzing when we scored the goal and I would have been content to lose 3-1 but to do that was just incredible."
Goalscorer Mark Ricketts said: "It is huge for us. To go away to Goodison there will be even more. It is great for the community. We are such a small club but we have big hearts and following now."
As for Bournemouth, their focus is now firmly on trying to win promotion to the Premier League. They are currently third in the Championship.
Bournemouth head coach Scott Parker said: "Overall it was very disappointing, but nothing but praise and credit to Boreham Wood.
"Well played to them, this is the magic of the FA Cup but you never want to be on the end of it."
The ties will be played in the week commencing Monday, February 28.
Bournemouth host Birmingham City in the Championship on Wednesday at 7.45pm, live on Sky Sports Football via the red button, while Boreham Wood go to Wrexham in the fifth round of the FA Trophy on Saturday.
