SEND-OFF WAS SUCH A RUSH – BLUE KANE
BOYHOOD Everton fan Kane Smith says the reception he got from the Goodison Park will “live long in the memory”.
The Boreham Wood right wing-back was an injury doubt before kick-off but battled through 72 minutes before being replaced by namesake Connor Smith. “I had a few injections and a lot of tablets but I just needed to play and I’m glad I got through 70 minutes,” Kane said.
“I knew the fans would give me a great reception but it was outstanding. I cannot thank them enough and that will live long in the memory.
“We frustrated them and settled in like we thought we would. We defended well but they ran us tired. They moved the ball so well. “We stuck to the game plan and frustrated them. We tried pressing but they moved the ball so quickly so it was very hard.” Wood boss Luke Garrard praised his opposite number Frank Lampard for the respect he gave the National League side – and says he is mighty proud of the cup run his club have embarked on this season.
“The team he [Lampard] picked was tremendous, he has not disrespected us and we have given a great account of ourselves,” Garrard said.
“It has been a fairytale, we have gripped the nation’s hearts throughout this cup run and the moments at Bournemouth will live long in my memory. The fans have been colossal and they have been shouting all game.
“What this group has
done is fantastic, it’s been brilliant, the whole journey from Barnet. Did I think five games on we would be at Goodison? Not in a million years.
“What we have achieved as a small-town club, let’s hope the fans turn up and really give us a push until the end of the season. “We didn’t really have many spells and they dominated the ball. We were waiting for one moment but Everton managed everything superbly.
“We just went over 500 minutes in the FA Cup without conceding a goal but their movement and their runs were just class. “The fans have been amazing they didn’t stop singing. It’s a shame we didn’t give them their moment but they were class and they gave us everything.”
Lampard admitted Boreham Wood’s efforts forced him into a half-time rethink but praised his Everton side but coming through unscathed.
“In terms of the game, it was comfortable in the end,” he said.
“We were slow in the first half, which is interesting for me because this type of game needs an injection of tempo and pace with the level we normally play at. We were below that. “But we addressed it at half-time, the players did, and we were sharper in the second half.
“We’re through to the next round, and these games are not easy. Especially if you don’t score early, but I thought we dealt with elements of the game well.”