FA CUP PREVIEW | Southport Vs Boreham Wood

With one cup win already this week over Clitheroe, the Port will be hoping to make it two as they welcome Boreham Wood in the first round of the Emirates FA Cup.

Wins over Farsley Celtic, Curzon Ashton and Ashton United have seen Southport make the first round proper, as teams from the football league enter the competition.

They come up against National League side Boreham Wood, who currently sit in 11th in their league with mixed form.

They do enter this game as a side who has been unbeaten for over a month, with the last defeat coming against Hartlepool at the start of October.

During that time Luke Garrard’s side have enjoyed two league wins and two league draws.

The Wood also had a tie against Dagenham & Redbridge in the fourth round of qualifying.

It wasn’t plain sailing for the Hertfordshire side as despite having a 2-0 lead heading into stoppage side, Dag & Red struck back with two late goals to cancel out strikes by Umerah and Shaibu, prompting a replay.

Boreham Wood were able to spare any blushes for giving up a two goal lead, as single goal from Fyfield was enough to see them through second time of asking.

Josh Umerah who scored in first tie is certainly a danger man who Liam Watson’s side will need to keep an eye on.

The on loan Charlton striker has bagged six in the league so far this season and will be on the hunt for more.

Without striker Bruno Andrade, who departed for Lincoln in the summer, The Wood aren’t flying as high as they did last season when they finished fourth in the league and reached the playoff final but none the less will provide pressure.

Former player Garrard has been in charge of the club since 2015, becoming the youngest manager in the top five divisions.

With last years good finish there has been good progress under him at the club he played for during three spells in his career.

The Emirates FA Cup is certainly a magical competition and it would mean a lot for both these sides to progress. As the third round gets closer, the competition begins to heat up!