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Boreham Wood's Garrard can't argue with 'football Gods'
TL;DR
Boreham Wood lost to Rochdale in the National League promotion final after a dramatic penalty shootout. Luke Garrard expressed deep emotion over the defeat, which denied the club its first promotion to the Football League in 78 years.
Key points
- Boreham Wood lost to Rochdale in the National League promotion final
- The match ended in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw
- Luke Garrard expressed deep emotion over the defeat
- This loss denied Boreham Wood their first promotion in 78 years
Mentioned in this story
Luke Garrard
Boreham WoodRochdale
Luke Garrard lines up for the national anthem before the National League promotion final [Getty Images]
The 'footballing Gods' have spoken and it's Rochdale, not Boreham Wood, who will play in the EFL next season.
The Wood's long-standing boss Luke Garrard was hugely emotional at Wembley after their dramatic penalty shootout defeat by Dale, who came from 2-0 down with 12 minutes remaining to equalise in the dying seconds of added time before winning 3-1 on spot-kicks.
The 40-year-old said he didn't think he could "look his children in the face" after coming so close to ensuring the first promotion to the Football League in the club's 78-year history.
Wood's second promotion final defeat at Wembley comes eight years after their first, when Garrard's side were stung by 10-man Tranmere, though he told BBC Three Counties Radio this defeat hurts even more.
He said: "I thought I liked Wembley but I'm not a fan of it. I've been here twice now and not been victorious.
"It hurts because I felt I was an imposter the last time I was here. I didn't believe we could be successful, I didn't believe we had enough on the pitch to go and win against Tranmere.
"That wasn't the case with this one, so it actually probably hurts a lot more."
Asked to describe his feelings, Garrard said: "Heartache, heartbroken - I don't know what else to say.
"The team have been excellent all season. They have given this club, me, the town, everything all season – I am so proud of the group.
"We've gone 120 minutes for the third time in a row and we go and deliver on a performance.
"The man I am, I am trying to analyse everything but I just need to park it. Unfortunately, the season ended for us today.
"We had one foot in the EFL but it wasn't to be."
Wood finished 16 points behind Rochdale in the 46-game season, losing home and away against Jimmy McNulty's men, who go up to League Two along with York City, against who they fought out promotion until the final seconds of the final day of the campaign.
Q&A
What happened in the Boreham Wood vs Rochdale promotion final?
Boreham Wood lost to Rochdale in a penalty shootout after leading 2-0 until Rochdale equalized in the dying seconds.
How did Luke Garrard react to the promotion final loss?
Luke Garrard was emotional and expressed difficulty in facing his children after the near miss for promotion.
What does this loss mean for Boreham Wood's history?
This defeat means Boreham Wood missed the chance for their first promotion to the Football League in 78 years.
What was the score of the penalty shootout in the promotion final?
The penalty shootout ended with Rochdale winning 3-1 against Boreham Wood.