Boreham Wood 1 – 1 Maidstone United (Wood win 5-4 on pens)
Saturday 15th January 2022
Builbase FA Trophy 4th Round
LV Bet Stadium Meadow Park
WOOD THROUGH ON PENALTIES
In a breathless encounter at LV Bet Stadium Meadow Park, Boreham Wood made it through to the 5th Round of the Buildbase FA Trophy with a 5-4 penalty shootout victory over National League South side Maidstone United after a 1-1 draw in ninety minutes.
Luke Garrard made two changes to the starting line-up from Tuesday night’s victory over Wealdstone with Tyrone Marsh coming back into the starting line up in place of Scott Boden who dropped to the bench, whilst Adrian Clifton started instead of the injured Gus Mafuta meaning Adrian would pair Danilo Orsi up top and Tyrone would join the midfield three.
It was Boreham Wood who nearly took the lead after eight minutes when a good move involved Adrian Clifton and Tyrone Marsh created a good chance for Danilo Orsi whose shot was blocked before Jacob Mendy Mendy fired over the bar.
On twelve minutes after a lovely jinking run by Orsi, Maidstone keeper Tom Hadler was equal to his well struck shot. Three minutes later Orsi put the ball in the Stones net, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. Wood finally took the lead on eighteen minutes from the penalty spot when Tyrone Marsh made no mistake following a foul on Josh Rees in the penalty area.
To their credit, the Stones didn’t lie down and started to come more into the game. Taye Ashby-Hammond produced an excellent point blank save to deny Joe Ellul from a Stones corner. On twenty-nine minutes, Roarie Deacon fired just wide following a lovely ball from Sam Corne. Then Joan Luque stung the hands of Ashby-Hammond with a shot from distance which the Wood keeper gathered at the second attempt.
On thirty-nine minutes Boreham Wood had an opportunity to increase their lead when a Marsh shot rebounded to Clifton who crossed to Orsi, however former Maidenhead United striker missed the target when it looked easier to score.
The second half was played in the same vein as the first. On forty-seven minutes, Luque hit an excellent free kick that was well saved by Ashby-Hammond in the Wood goal. Ten minutes later, David Stephens headed just over following a Josh Rees corner. On sixty-six minutes Orsi should have put the game to bed but he was denied by Stones goalkeeper Hadler when well placed. On seventy-two minutes, the visitors got their equaliser. Substitute Christie Pattisson’s cross was deflected off a Wood defender into the path of Michael Philips who slotted home.
The Stones then started to turn the screw and looked the more likely to win it in the closing stages. Luque and Booty had chances for Maidstone, whilst Mendy Mendy went close for Boreham Wood.
In the final minute of four added on, Scott Boden should have won the match. A lovely move involving Marsh and Josh Rees created a seemingly straightforward chance for Boden who somehow struck his shot over the crossbar with the goalkeeper beaten.
As for the penalty shootout, both sides made no mistake with the first five penalties with the visitors leading 3-2. However, Scott Boden was first to be denied following a save by Stones keeper Hadler. Ashby-Hammond spared Boden’s blushes by saving from Philips before Marsh made it 3-3. Luque scored for the Stones and Mendy Mendy for Wood to make it 4-4, sending the shootout into sudden death. Maidstone’s Joe Ellul then hit the crossbar with the Stones next kick before Kane Smith scored the winner, much to the relief of Luke Garrard and the team.
This match came at the end of a fantastic week for the club. Although Wood weren’t at their best, they did enough to go through. Maidstone were impressive and gave as good as they got while Boreham Wood will look forward to the 5th Round draw on Monday.
Boreham Wood: Ashby-Hammond, Evans, Stephens, Fyfield, Smith, Mendy Mendy, Rees, Raymond, Marsh, Clifton (Boden 60’), Orsi (Lewis 72’).
Subs not used: Roach, Ranger.
Maidstone United: Hadler, Hoyte, Ellul, Fowler, Brown, Corne (Odusanya 90’), Barham, Luque, Booty, Deacon (Pattisson 70’).
Subs not used: Gallagher, Mersin, J Binnom-Williams, Walters.
Star man: Taye Ashby-Hammond.
Match report written by Brett Lewis (Wood Army & Non-League Paper)
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