Boreham Wood's fairytale ends in tears of pride after FA Cup defeat to Everton - The Warm-Up

FRIDAY'S BIG STORIES The Precise Opposite of a Giantkilling Ad/> Quite by accident, the fifth round of this season's FA Cup has turned into an experiment of sorts. What happens to a team when their owner, or one of their owners, is suddenly the target of retributive sanctions as a result of a war happening on the other side of the continent? Chelsea, newly up for sale, made wobbly work of Luton Town on Wednesday; last night, Everton were far more controlled as they took care of Boreham Wood, the last non-league team left in the competition. The Emirates FA CupRondon double sees off Boreham Wood as Everton reach FA Cup quarters13 HOURS AGO Hopes of a remarkable upset were never quite extinguished; at least, not until Salomon Rondon got his second in the 84th minute.

But as Boreham Wood's manager Luke Garrard noted after the game, they came here hoping to give their fans one moment, and they couldn't quite manage it. Still, judging by the scenes that followed the final whistle, their fans will forgive them. Indeed, the sight of Boreham Wood's players and supporters exchanging tearful embraces and applause was a heartwarming reminder that the cup can be magical even when the giant escapes.

Perhaps, on looking back, the absence of a particular moment will come to sting a little less. Boreham Wood were, after all, the recipients of the highest compliment possible for a non-league team away at a Premier League side: after half an hour or so of stout and well-organised defending, the TV commentator noted that «They haven't looked out of place on this big stage.» As good as a win? No. Nor as good as a goal.