West Ham United Academy teammates Fin Herrick (Boreham Wood), Mason Terry and Regan Clayton (Braintree Town) were victorious in their FA Cup fourth qualifying round games, a competition they all won together at youth level in 2023.
Herrick earned his fifth clean sheet since joining Boreham Wood as they breezed past Eastbourne Borough 3-0 on the south coast. The 19-year-old goalkeeper has only conceded three times in eight games.
Although there are 41 places between them in the pyramid, Boreham Wood’s opponents Eastbourne had actually finished above them in National League South last season, just one point off winners Truro City.
Since being promoted via the play-offs, Boreham Wood have been flying in the Enterprise National League. Unbeaten since the opening day, they sit just two points off leaders Rochdale. Eastbourne on the other hand are winless in their first ten league games in England’s sixth tier since finishing third last season.
Their contrast in form showed in the second half after a fairly muted first. Matt Rush’s fifth goal in as many games was followed up by strikes from Abdul Abdulmalik and Junior Dixon, securing a 3-0 win on the road for the Wood.
Also progressing into the first round of the FA Cup were Terry and Clayton, both playing the full 90 minutes for Braintree Town in their 2-0 win over National League South opposition Farnborough.
A fairly routine victory for the Iron, goals within two second-half minutes from Fulham loanee Terrell Works and Chay Cooper were enough to clinch passage into the next round. Braintree’s in-form pair have been involved in seven of the Essex side’s last ten goals.
Into the hat for the first round, the draw will take place at 6.30pm BST on Monday evening. Herrick’s Boreham Wood will be Ball Number 68, while Terry and Clayton’s Braintree will be Ball Number 71.
