Luke Garrard’s return to the managerial role at the club saw the Wood progress in the Emirates FA Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over high flying Eastbourne Borough at the ReachTV Stadium. Despite Eastbourne’s resilience and a few nervy moments, a second-half goal from Lee Dixon secured the Wood’s passage to third round qualifying.

The Wood started the game brightly, pressing from the first whistle and nearly converting an early chance from a corner in the 4th minute, only for a Kwesi Appiah’s header to drift wide. However, Eastbourne soon showed they were no pushovers, testing the Wood back line in the 10th minute with a well-struck free kick that was comfortably saved by Nathan Ashmore.

As Luke Garrard’s men pushed forward, it was the Eastbourne Borough keeper Holter who became the star of the first half, making key saves to deny efforts from Tyrone Marsh and Erico Sousa. Wood’s biggest scare came in the 22nd minute when Eastbourne’s Shaun Williams nearly caught Ashmore off his line with an audacious free kick from inside his own half. Thankfully, the ball clattered against the crossbar, keeping the scoreline level.

HT: Eastbourne Borough 0-0 Boreham Wood

The second half saw the Wood ramp up the pressure, controlling much of the play and probing Eastbourne’s defence. Holter continued his inspired form, coming off his line to clear a dangerous cross in the 56th minute. However, Wood’s perseverance and persistence paid off in the 70th minute when Junior Dixon latched onto a Gus Mafuta through ball down the left to cut inside, and coolly slot his shot into the bottom right corner, leaving the Eastbourne keeper with no chance.

Eastbourne pushed back in the closing stages, bringing on fresh legs to chase an equaliser. They nearly snatched a late goal when Ligendza fired just wide in stoppage time after a neat layoff from Pavey. Despite their best efforts, Wood’s back line held firm to preserve the clean sheet. The Wood could have added another themselves, with Sousa missing a one-on-one in the dying moments, but Dixon’s goal proved enough to secure a place in the hat for Luke Garrard’s men.

FT: Eastbourne Borough 0-1 Boreham Wood

Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Coxe, Ilesanmi, Payne, Bush, Whelan, Marsh (O’Connell 90+1), Hare, Appiah (Mafuta 66), Dixon, Sousa.

Subs not used: Goddard, Abdulmalik, Morley, Cnacoschi, Isaac.

Carshalton Athletic: Holter, Quick, Diarra (Vukoje 90), Alexander, Klass (Pitblado 59), Sesay (Harley 78), Davis (Ligendza 64), Pavey, Odusanya, Williams (Johnson 64), Clarke

Subs not used: Wright, Gibson.

Man of the match: Junior Dixon.

Match report written by Dom Gadd.