Boreham Wood bring "a bit of FA Cup magic to the town" with historic win (From Borehamwood Times)

Boreham Wood bring "a bit of FA Cup magic to the town" with historic win to seal First Round tie with Brentford

8:50am Thursday 25th October 2012 in News By Chris Hewett

Boreham Wood FC brought “a bit of FA Cup magic to the town” this week when they earned a place in the first round proper against League One side Brentford.

The non-league outfit came from 2-0 down to record an historic victory over Hayes and Yeading United on Sunday and progress to the tournament proper for the first time in eight years.

Wood’s part-time players, with day jobs in IT, fire alarms and the building trade, now find themselves facing professional opposition in the home tie on November 3.

The win capped off a magnificent start to the season for the boys from Meadow Park, who find themselves third in the league and unbeaten at home.

Wood didn’t have it all their own way on Sunday though and the Conference South side found themselves 2-0 down after just five minutes, before a goal at the stroke of half time and two more after the interval secured victory.

Vice-chairman Billy Hunter said: “We were really happy. We’ve had a bit of bad luck in the cup recently and as soon as you go 2-0 down, the worst runs through your mind.

“But with the sort of players we have here this year, we knew they wouldn’t give up. They showed brilliant character coming back like that.

“It is huge for us and it is brilliant for the fans. As a non-league club, we’re not in the paper every week making headlines so it is a massive reward for the fans. To be able to put on a game like this is a chance for us to thank them for their continued support and it is great to bring a bit of FA Cup magic to the town.”

The team now finds itself just two games away from qualification to the Third Round proper and a potential tie against Premier League opposition.

Despite the difficulties the team faces in overcoming Brentford in the next round, Billy believes the club has a chance.

He said: “There is always an upset – we’ve seen it in previous years. You look at a team like Brentford and they’re a good side but on the day, league position and form goes out of the window and we have every opportunity to progress.

“We have a big league game at Weston-Super-Mare before that though and all of our focus is on that right now. After that we will be putting everything into preparing for this game.”

Tickets for what could be the team’s biggest match of season have gone on sale on the club's website and at the box office and Billy is expecting a decent crowd for the crunch tie.

Assistant manager and central midfielder Luke Garrard put the memorable victory down to the desire of the players but believes the facilities at the club have proved a catalyst in the team’s success this year.

He said: “The boys were happy with the come-back but we have done it before – the character we have here is awesome.

“The set up is one of a professional non-league club – the facilities are second to none. It is massively important and a fundamental reason why we have been able to progress.

“For us, it is massive to get through and it puts a spotlight on the club.”

The 27-year-old academy director says he is aware of the challenge posed by Brentford but he still has his eye on an upset that will enable his team to continue the romance of an unlikely cup run.

He said: “You’ve got to have a dream so if we did make it through to the Third Round, I’d love to play Liverpool away.

“Getting there would be a massive, massive achievement but we have got to get past Brentford first and they’re a very good side. It will be our biggest test of the season but I’m always confident – I believe in the boys.”