Boreham Wood bow out of the FA Trophy at the Fifth Round following a 2-0 defeat in Hampshire, with second-half goals from Josh Barham and Kai Corbett ensuring The Shots progress to the Quarter-Finals, while Boreham Wood can now focus on the league.

Luke Garrard made two changes from Tuesday night’s defeat at Worthing, with Erico Sousa making his first start since 2nd November, replacing Jayden Richardson at right wing-back. New signing Callum Reynolds came into the back three, with Femi Ilesamni reverting to left wing-back in place of Charles Clayden, who dropped to the bench.

The hosts started quickly and forced an early corner from which Luca Woodhouse headed just wide. Almost immediately, Charlie O’Connell was also off target with a header from another corner. On nine minutes, a cross from Job Benton was very close to being tapped home by Matt Rush, but his weak shot was easily gathered by Shots keeper Marcus Dewhurst. The hosts had a great chance to take the lead four minutes later when Tyler Frost cut inside and fired just wide, with Nathan Ashmore beaten. On 17 minutes, Aaron Jones fired straight at Ashmore for the Shots. Two minutes later, an excellent run and cross from Jones found Jack Barham, who volleyed over the bar.

Aldershot continued to apply pressure, and on 24 minutes, Barham’s effort was kicked away by Ashmore after a clever free-kick from Jones. On 33 minutes, Boreham Wood had a rare chance when Tom Whelan fired straight at keeper Dewhurst. The hosts should have taken the lead following some excellent interplay between Barham and James Henry, who then played in Josh Barrett, but Barrett screwed his shot wide. Barrett went close again on 38 minutes but couldn’t keep his shot down.

HT: Aldershot Town 0-0 Boreham Wood

Wood came out for the second half with renewed purpose and came closer to taking the lead three minutes after the restart. Jon Benton forced Dewhurst into an excellent save. Ashmore saved well from Tyler Frost two minutes later, and Rush fired wide for Boreham Wood soon afterwards. After the first part of the second half was played mostly in Aldershot’s half, the hosts took the lead on 62 minutes when Kai Corbett played in Barham. Barham’s shot took a deflection off Femi Ilesamni and flew past Ashmore into the goal.

Boreham Wood were nearly level two minutes later when Rush forced a save from Dewhurst before Ilesamni fired the rebound wide. The hosts nearly added a second on 75 minutes when Frost played in Barham, whose shot was just off target. They did get a second two minutes later, with a fantastic turn and shot from Corbett that gave Ashmore no chance as it found the bottom corner. The second goal ended the match as a contest, and apart from a couple of deflected shots from Chris Bush and Junior Dixon, Boreham Wood were unable to offer anything more.

FT: Aldershot Town 2-0 Boreham Wood

It was a good cup run for Boreham Wood in a competition where they have rarely done well in recent years. However, with Hemel Hempstead away in 48 hours and a league campaign to get back on track, Luke Garrard’s side can now concentrate on this season’s priority: promotion.

Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Sousa (Richardson 58), Ilesamni (Abdulmalik 71), Bush, Reynolds, O’Connell, Mafuta, Whelan, Benton (Clayden 86), Rush (Marsh 80), Appiah (Dixon 75).

Subs not used: Agbontohoma, Sagaf.

Aldershot Town: Dewhurst, Widdrington (Jenkins 86), Hargreaves, Frost, Barrett, Jones, Scott, Barham (Mullins 80), Henry (Corbett 37), Woodhouse, Armitage.

Subs not used: Van Stappershoef, Meghoma, Jones, Ellison.

Man of the Match: Femi Ilesamni.

Match report written by Brett Lewis.