Boreham Wood’s under 19s are looking to re write the Academy’s history books by progressing into both the College and Conference National Cup Finals and as such become become the first Wood Academy side to do so.
Victories last Friday over FAB Academy in the English College National Cup and on Wednesday against Brightlingsea Regent in the National Conference League Cup, completed what is a remarkable double final appearance.
FAB Academy 1 – 3 Boreham Wood
FAB Academy took the lead early when a well taken free kick somehow managed to go under the young Woods defensive wall and nestle into the bottom corner, this after we had started on the front foot and missed two guilt edged chances.
It wasn’t long before the scores were level though, when a trade mark Wood corner landed at Frank Keita’s feet for him to drive home and the scores were level. This took our youngsters performance woods up a notch, but they failed to capitalise on their dominance and the score stayed 1-1 at half time.
The tempo in the second half though didn’t drop, as both sides went toe to toe with each other. However Woods slightly better quality and work ethic began to chip away at Fabs confidence.
With 27 minutes to play the ball found Keita after some neat interplay between Bradley Sach and the outstanding Sorba Thomas but he could only find the under side of the crossbar as the pressure mounted.
5 minutes later though the deserved breakthrough came, as a ball got played into the Fab box and a rushed clearance could only find the back of a Fab player and the helpless defender couldn’t help but direct the ball into the back of the empty net to send the Wood players into raptures.
As the game drew to an end Fab threw everything at us, but as Fab attacked Keita again broke with the ball and a perfectly weighted ball into Alex Morgan’s path was smashed home
Brightlingsea Regent 1 – 2 Boreham Wood
5 days later, yes a different cup but thankfully same story. As Woods talented youngsters once again had to come from a goal down after some sloppy defending allowed Brightlingsea in behind our back four to take an early lead.
Yet again though the fantastic belief and team spirit within the camp, allowed them to regroup and come back even stronger, it wasn’t long before they were level when Sorba Thomas got on the end of a Josh Coldicott free kick to finish neatly.
The second half was very much all Wood as they swarmed all over their Essex opponents, but the winning goal still eluded them until 5 minutes from the end of this pulsating cup tie. Then up stepped substitute Yves Kpewu, who found himself one on one with the Brightlingsea keeper, and slotted the ball home to send the Woods youngsters and supporters into wild celebrations.
Two fantastic wins for this excellent young Wood side, who continue to do the club proud and who echo everything the Academy and Club is built on.
The under 19s manager Cameron Mawer spoke after both games “The boys have represented the club in a remarkable manner and should be applauded for that, but I’ve made one thing clear, there’s no point getting there, we now have to win these finals and set benchmarks for others to follow. We genuinely have a fantastic group who love this club and when they are at there best, have all the tools to beat any side in the country at this level”
He added “We are also just four wins away in our regional league from progressing into the Champions of Champions National League. So it’s dust ourselves down, go again on Monday in the semi final of the Brian Hitchins Cup and then refocus on our league campaign on Wednesday”
For all those interested, the date for the ECFA final is
Tuesday, 2nd May at Hereford FC (2PM KO)
For all those interested, the date for the National Conference League Cup is
Thursday, 11th May at Walsall FC (7:30PM KO)
