The Emirates FA Cup is all about moments – those flashes of brilliance that can turn a game on its head and make a lasting impression. Lewis Richardson certainly produced one of those moments.
In a to-and-fro tussle with Woking in the previous round, a replay was firmly on the cards as the clock ticked towards the final whistle. Potentially the third meeting with the Cardinals in the space of ten days with a league clash scheduled the following week, the 21-year-old emphatically ensured that wouldn’t be the case.
As Chris Bush’s looping cross sailed into the box, Richardson took flight and executed one of the hardest tricks in the book to perfection, with his overhead kick leaving William Jääskeläinen helpless in between the sticks.
A strike worthy of deciding any match, the former York City frontman considers it one of his finest moments in a Boreham Wood shirt.
“The goal against Woking was definitely top of the pile for me in terms of my favourite moments at the club,” he explained.
“My goal at Forest Green Rovers earlier this season is up there as well but I think I have had many great moments.
“Now, I am just hoping I can add another one this Saturday.”
The visit of 2013 FA Cup winners Wigan Athletic provides a stern examination, despite their lowly position in Sky Bet League One, which has them sitting just inside the drop zone.
A run of one victory in seven outings to kickstart the campaign left them towards the bottom, but a narrow victory over fellow strugglers Bromley and a stalemate with Mansfield Town last time out have provided the Latics faithful with cause for encouragement.
Richardson is excited to lock horns with third tier opposition.
“It is special to be playing against former winners of the competition,” he explained.
“Of course we know how tough it is going to be as they are two divisions above us but we need to make sure we carry on what we’ve been doing and hopefully it goes our way.”
A last-gasp comeback victory against Hartlepool United extended the lead at the summit to 12 points, while also making it eight league victories on the spin.
Matt Rush’s late intervention secured all three points to provide another clear example of the togetherness and resilience within Luke Garrard’s side.
Richardson is keen to praise the excellent start.
“Obviously we’ve had an unbelievable start this season and we’ve played some really tough teams along the way,” the ex-Burnley academy forward said.
“However, we know Wigan will be our biggest test yet but in my opinion, we have more than enough in our squad to get the job done.”
Following his heroics in the last round, all eyes now turn to the visit of the Latics. Richardson looks ahead to Saturday’s clash, emphasising the importance of the supporters in helping the team get over the line.
“We just need to keep doing what we’ve been doing,” he admitted.
“It’s about sticking together as a group and implementing what we do during the week into the game and our quality and hard work will take care of the rest.
“The most important thing for me is the fans as they have been unbelievable so far this season, home and away.
“So let’s turn Meadow Park into a fortress and get the job done.”
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