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Rochdale clinches League Two promotion after Wembley thriller
Rochdale staged a stunning late comeback to defeat Boreham Wood 3-1 on penalties in the National League promotion final at Wembley, securing their place in the EFL next season. The match ended 2-2 after extra time, with Rochdale scoring twice in the final 12 minutes to force spot-kicks.
Garrard devastated after near-miss
Boreham Wood manager Luke Garrard was visibly emotional following the defeat, describing the loss as a deep personal blow. The 40-year-old, whose side had come within minutes of promotion, admitted he struggled to process the outcome.
"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. That wasn't the case with this one, so it actually probably hurts a lot more."
Luke Garrard, Boreham Wood manager
Garrard, who led his team to a 90-point season, praised his players but acknowledged the pain of falling short in the club's second promotion final in eight years. "The team have been excellent all season. They have given this club, me, the town, everything," he said.
Late drama seals Rochdale's victory
Rochdale trailed 2-0 with 12 minutes remaining but scored twice in stoppage time to force extra time. The match ultimately went to penalties, where they converted three of their four attempts to secure promotion alongside York City. Boreham Wood finished 16 points behind Rochdale in the regular season, having lost both league encounters against their rivals.
Garrard reflected on the irony of Rochdale's late equalizer, saying: "What they have achieved this season, they deserve to go up with York. If there's footballing Gods, that's what should happen."
Future uncertain for Boreham Wood's stars
Despite the defeat, Garrard expressed pride in his squad, which included standout performers like Abdul Abdulmalik, Matt Rush, and Zak Brunt. While acknowledging interest from higher-league clubs, he remained optimistic about the club's future.
"We have got people on long-term deals, we've got a core group together, as a minimum for the next two years. My chairman made it very clear-there are players on contract, we hold the cards."
Luke Garrard
Garrard plans to reflect on the season during a break but remains focused on building a competitive team for next year. "This group is incredible," he said. "It's a privilege to be their manager."
