Forest Green Rovers fell to defeat against Boreham Wood in the first stage of the National League eliminators, with Zak Brunt scoring in the 108th minute to break Rovers’ hearts.
First Half:
Both teams had good opportunities throughout the game to take the lead.
The hosts had a goal disallowed in the opening 10 minutes after Harry Isted was fouled following a corner.
Boreham Wood had the better chances of the first half, with 26-goal striker Matt Rush seeing an effort superbly saved by Rovers keeper Harry Isted, who enjoyed an outstanding game.
Soon after, Mellor had a golden opportunity to put Rovers in front, but his headed effort drifted inches wide.
Isted was called into action again in 43 minutes when Boreham Wood dangerman Abdul Abdulmalik forced a point-blank save from the keeper.
Half-time: Boreham Wood 0-0 Forest Green Rovers
Second Half:
Rovers produced the stronger performance in the second half, playing with energy and putting the hosts under pressure throughout.
Winger Sean Etaluku fired a good opportunity over the bar in the 57th minute after excellent work to win the ball back high up the pitch.
Matt Rush then went close for the hosts, with an effort drifting just wide following a clever reverse pass.
Rovers enjoyed plenty of possession in the second half and, despite some determined attacking play, could not find the quality needed to break the deadlock as the game headed into extra time.
Full-time: Boreham Wood 0-0 Forest Green Rovers
First Half of Extra Time:
After a frantic 90 minutes, the tempo of the game dropped slightly, with both sides showing signs of fatigue after their efforts.
The hosts came close when substitute James Clarke struck the bar.
Boreham Wood eventually broke Rovers’ hearts in added time at the end of the first half of extra time. Abdul Abdulmalik got the better of his marker, Tre Pemberton, who had done an excellent job of keeping the forward quiet throughout the match, before knocking the ball past the right-back and squaring for Zak Brunt, who calmly rolled the ball past Isted to put the hosts in front.
Half-time in extra time: Boreham Wood 1-0 Forest Green Rovers
Second Half of Extra Time:
Substitute Nick Haughton made a positive impact after coming on, asking further questions of the resilient Boreham Wood defence.
Rovers pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages, with Jayden Clarke forcing Ted Curd into a strong save from just outside the area. Another player whose work rate was absolutely outstanding throughout the entire match.
However, it was not to be for Rovers this time, as Boreham Wood booked their place at Carlisle on Sunday, 3rd May.
Robbie Savage and his team should nevertheless be proud of what they have achieved this season. A complete summer overhaul and restructuring naturally took time to settle, but there will be plenty of optimism heading into next season, with this young Rovers side showing real promise ahead of the summer transfer window.
Full-time after extra time: Boreham Wood 1-0 Forest Green Rovers
Boreham Wood: Curd, IIesanmi, O’Connell, Bush, Clarke (Coxe 109), Brunt (Landers 109), Booty (Reynolds 72), White, Abdulmalik (Sousa 109), Ayinde (Richardson 74), Rush.
Subs not used: Ashmore, Henry.
Forest Green Rovers: Isted, Mendy, McAllister, Knowles (Nwoko 100), Clarke, Campbell (Haughton 106), Mingi, Pemberton (Doidge 106), Buyabu (Kengni 96), Etaluku (Rees 72), Mellor.
Subs not used: Pagel, Kircough.
Attendance: 2452 (550 Away)
