Boreham Wood boss Luke Garrard has spoken of his pride in the National League side after their historic FA Cup run came to an end at the hands of Everton.
Looking to become the only the second non-league side to reach the quarter-finals of the competition since the start of the First World War, the Wood were sunk by two Salomon Rondon goals as they went down 2-0 at Goodison Park on Thursday night.
The National League outfit knocked out League One AFC Wimbledon and Championship promotion hopefuls Bournemouth en route to the Fifth Round before coming unstuck against Premier League opposition.
“[It’s] one of pride,” Garrard said, when asked for his overriding emotion. “I have to say what this group of players have achieved, the club, the town, the community, has been fantastic.
“I’m just gutted we haven’t been able to give the fans a moment, they were colossal all evening. It’s a shame we didn’t test Amir [Begovic] in Everton goal enough. But what we’ve achieved has been fantastic. So, it’s one of pride.”
Boreham Wood had not conceded in five matches since starting their run in the final qualifying round and frustrated Everton as the teams went in goalless at the break.
Though Rondon’s goals proved the difference, it was the half-time introduction of forward Richarlison that sparked Everton into life and that Frank Lampard was forced to turn to the £50million man was something of a feather in the Wood’s collective cap.
“We had a game plan,” Garrard added. “They had a lot of ball in the first-half but their ability in final third wasn’t great, they didn’t slide up side of us and use the numerical advantage out wide.
“The fact we came to Everton in the first half and kept it 0-0 is a credit to the team. We worked on it this week but they want up several gears in the second half.
“I’m thankful we didn’t open up too much because then they could have had three or four but it’s just a shame we didn’t have a moment or two to get the crowd really at it.”
