FA Cup R4 | AFC Bournemouth 0-1 Boreham Wood

Boreham Wood set up an FA Cup fifth round fixture against Frank Lampard’s Everton after knocking out Championship promotion chasers AFC Bournemouth in their own backyard.

Photo: @Boreham_WoodFC

By Steven Oldham

Veteran Ricketts seals the deal as Wood make history 

Luke Garrard’s side progressed thanks to captain Mark Ricketts’ first half goal - only his second since joining the club in 2016.  It continues to be a history-making season for the National League club, who were competing in the fourth round for the first time. 

The 37-year-old struck his goal in the 38th minute,  after intercepting a Gavin Kilkenny clearance. 

Ricketts’ low drive bounced off the post and over the line, following hard work from Jacob Mendy and Tyrone Marsh to get the ball in the box. 

Wood endured Bournemouth’s second half onslaught, with The Cherries dominating possession and  play camped out in their opposition’s half. 

In a display that typified the way Garrard has set his side up this season, they continued their impressive record of not conceding a goal in this season’s FA Cup. 

It’s a sign of the situation that Bournemouth found themselves in that boss Scott Parker felt the need to make changes. First teamers Dominic Solanke, Philip Billing and new loan signing Todd Cantwell all came off the bench - to little effect.  

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Bournemouth huff and puff, but can’t blow Wood down 

No more than an interested onlooker in the first half, Taye Ashby-Hammond more than played his part after the break as Bournemouth piled on the pressure. 

Bournemouth’s Jaidon Anthony had a goal ruled out for offside after the on loan Fulham goalkeeper had pulled off a stunning double save. 

Solanke and Ryan Christie also came close to pulling their side back into the game, but Ashby-Hammond was on form to help his side keep yet another clean sheet. 

This result provides the final piece in the puzzle and we now know the last 16 of this season’s competition - with the Step 1 side the notable exception to a fifth round filled with Premier League and Championship outfits. 

Boreham Wood’s margin of victory could have been even higher 

Josh Rees almost got the visitors off to a dream start, who intercepted Freddie Woodman’s misjudged clearance with less than a minute on the clock. 

Boreham Wood also had a couple of early penalty shouts dismissed, with Rees tripped by Nat Phillips in the box. Marsh also had a coming together with central defender James Hill but neither decision was given. 

A cagey first half passed without much other goalmouth action from either side until the breakthrough goal. 

The partisan home crowd let their feelings be known at half time, with boos ringing out around The Vitality Stadium.

With Parker’s team talk presumably still ringing in their ears, Bournemouth picked up the pace in the second half - but couldn’t unlock their opposition’s miserly defence.

Garrard’s side now have over a week until their next game - a home match against Altrincham next Tuesday.  A trip to Goodison Park awaits at the end of the month.