Borehamwood match thread - I'm a lumberjack and I'm OK

I've watched three ties this weekend, two on TV, including the might Harborough Town's demolition of Tonbridge Angels. In each one, the lower ranked side has won. Correlation does not imply causation!

National League South team currently performing in mid-table, eleventh, after relegation from the National League last season, having spent most of a decade there and being in a play-off slot two years ago. According to Dave Victor on the Orient Hour, they are still operating on a full-time basis and looking to go straight back up. Managed by Luke Garrard who was at the club as a player from 2009-2015 and then became its manager in 2015 at age 30. While managing them he took them to National League playoffs twice and to the FA Cup fifth round in 2021-22. They parted company in April 2024 when the club was relegated but he returned in September after Ross Jenkins was sacked.

Overall, they have a very experienced squad who have knocked round non-League and the lower levels of the League. Midfielder Jack Payne is the club captain and played most of the 2015-16 season for Leyton Orient. They have a much-travelled striker in Kwesi Appiah who has played a few games in the Championship. Nathan Ashmore is an experienced non-League keeper, as is centre-back Chris Bush. I have no idea how they play!

Owned by the idiosyncratic Danny Hunter, who seems to like an interview. Also described as not to everyone’s taste. Says he re-mortgaged his house to keep the club afloat during Covid. Bit of a family affair as it seems two of his sons are employed by the club, one as the CEO.

Having got to the first round, no doubt they will see Orient’s form and think they have a decent chance if they can get in front. Although they have not been in sparkling form, this tie represents a chance to play without pressure and Borehamwood do have history in the FA Cup, having got to the Fifth Round as recently as 2021-22. Orient come into this match in poor form and Richie Wellens said that he would be picking the team based on training this week. I would expect a return for Tom James, who improved his reputation by not playing against Wycombe. I assume Richie is not going to go all Football Manager and pick a completely new team. This seems a good game for “one more year” Darren Pratley, who will take no nonsense and has seen it all before. It will be interesting to see if Jordan Brown, who I think has been in poor form, is dropped and whether Zech Obiero and Jayden Sweeney get starts. Maybe Jordan Graham is fit enough to start? Sean Clare and Theo Archibald are still injured, Jack Simpson was injured for the Wycombe game and who knows what is happening with Warrington, Donley and Jaiyesimi. Nine subs are allowed to be named, which could be a stretch. Whatever team is picked, I am reminded of the Duke of Wellington, “I don’t know what effect these men will have on the enemy, but by God, they terrify me!”

This is a game we should be winning, but the team needs to be up for it, concentrate and cut out the self-inflicted wounds. Generally, the team has created loads of chances against lesser opposition, although not taken them. Remember that there are no replays, so a draw leads to extra-time and then straight to penalties. Dave Victor pointed out on The Orient Hour that Orient have never scored at Borehamwood!