
ACCRINGTON STANLEY F.C.
1

BOREHAM WOOD F.C.
0
24th Jan 2023
Wham Stadium
Round Trip: 374 miles
Ticket: £15.00
Food Rating: 7
Att: 1,940
Guess the crowd: Phil A
With the late Borehamwood equaliser in the first tie, the realisation was a mid-week replay up North again but this time on a Tuesday evening 7.45 pm kick-off!! So with thermals, scarf, gloves and a combination of Chelmsford City FC and Ampthill rugby club hats, the squad of two left at 2.00 pm for the replay to decide who we now know will face the mighty Leeds United at home on Saturday.
That 4th Round Leeds tie was only 4 days later and so surely not yet another trip to Accrington??
Despite the traffic delays, we arrived in good time to park at what is now our usual car park, with the assistance of Jim the attendant, and even better time to enjoy the previously reported excellent clubhouse.

Over a pint of Madri, we had a chat with some Preston North End supporters who were there for Borehamwood and not wanting to be top-trumped with such an oddity, we explained we were from Bedfordshire supporting Accrington!
As the teams took to the field, Borehamwood was in the all-white of Real Madrid, or was that a clue to tonight’s result by also appearing as Leeds, who would be the next opponents??


Either way, the first half produced very little goalmouth action with both teams displaying more spirit than class with the ball spending more time in t’thair than ont’floor as one disgruntled Accy fan said in the gents after the game.
Both sides had a couple of first-half chances, notably a Doug Harme header for Stanley, which was cleared off the line and despite the two league tiers separating the teams, the first 45 minutes were about even as the 0-0 scoreline suggested.

Our seats were in the main stand immediately outside the clubhouse and so convenient for refreshments, although as the driver I had to go for coffee which was some distance away behind the Accy terrace. Oh, and brought back two potato and meat pies of course, for us tea!
Stanley appeared the more dynamic in the second half, with Whalley and Tommy Leigh controlling much of the build-up play and having good chances, but as the half wore on, it was worryingly looking like extra time; which was the last thing we wanted, given the long journey home.
We did indeed enter into extra time and on 97 minutes, the energetic Whalley was fouled in the box and Man of the Match Tommy Leigh dispatched the penalty sending the keeper the wrong way. Further Stanley’s chances were cleared and Borehamwood themselves almost snatched an equaliser in the closing minutes of what was an exciting final 15 minutes.

But Stanley held on to the win, and the £105,000 3rd Round prize money that goes with it, which on balance was well deserved but Borehamwood do look a well-organised team and we wish them well in their National League target of promotion to the Football League Two.

We now continue our journey with Accrington to face Leeds United back at the Wham Stadium on Saturday for what will be a huge day for the League One club. We will be there, of course, tickets permitting, but when the disgruntled supporter’s mate asked him in the gents if he is coming along Saturday, he replied, “I’d rather stick me ed in’t bucket of boilin water”
He’ll be there of course. After all, it is the FA Cup.