Boreham Wood Edge Through To This Sunday's Semi-Final

By Steve Whitney

Boreham Wood, who finished fourth in the regular season, managed to overcome AFC Fylde, who ended up in seventh spot, to take their place in Sunday`s Vanarama National League play-off semi-final live on BT Sport.

Most of the damage on the Coasters was done early on in an entertaining affair, also screened live by BT Sport from Meadow Park.

On a carpet of a playing surface – magnificent considering it`s May – Luke Garrard`s side gave the visitors little time to settle before taking an early 6th minute lead when a corner from top marksman Bruno Andrade was headed down and in past Jay Lynch by Jamie Turley.

Eleven minutes later, and with Dave Challinor`s side yet to pose a threat, Wood doubled their lead when a Michael Folivi cross saw Andrade rise to head into the corner of the net to give Lynch no chance.

The prolific Danny Rowe had barely had a touch by this point but suddenly got himself free 25 yards from goal but his effort was deflected wide.

However, Fylde gradually got a foothold in the game and pulled themselves back into it on the half-hour mark when a bit of ping-pong around the six-yard box ended with Simon Grand heading over the line from close range.

It was turning into a tense affair now and the second half continued in a similar fashion.

Fylde had a chance to equalise when Jake Lawlor fired over from close range, after a cross by Lewis Montrose found him in the box.

But in the 80th minute, Wood had a great chance to put the tie to bed when Andrade was dragged down in the area by keeper Lynch.

The visiting custodian made amends, however, by saving Andrade`s resulting spot-kick to ensure a nervy finale.

Wood held out though to book a visit to Sutton United on Sunday, with a trip to Wembley for the Promotion Final as the huge prize.

(EJacobs Photography)

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