Wigan Athletic Beat Boreham Wood 3-0 in FA Cup First Round 2026

Key Points

• Wigan Athletic thrashed Boreham Wood 3-0 at Meadow Park in the first round of the FA Cup on Saturday, November 7, 2026.
• The goals were scored by Jon Mellish in the 11th minute of play, followed by Morgan Fox twice, in the 36th and 74th minutes.
• Speaking after the game, Wigan Athletic manager Gary Caldwell described the team’s performance as “convincing,” adding that “we had a plan for the game.”
• Caldwell said that initially the team trained on the 5-3-2 formation before moving to 5-2-3 formation to press high.
• Boreham Wood was going into the game on a streak of undefeated form having 12 points to spare in the table as league leaders in the National League.
• Caldwell described Boreham Wood as “a fantastic football team” and predicted that they would romp to the title of the National League.
• Luke Garrard, the Boreham Wood manager, took Caldwell’s comment positively and said that he will personally thank Caldwell in person.
• Wigan Athletic progressed to the second round of the FA Cup, while Boreham Wood remained undefeated in the National League.
• Attendance at Meadow Park was 2,031.
• Play in the second half commenced with a delay of 15 minutes due to a medical incident among spectators.

Wigan (Manchester Mirror) November 07, 2026 — Wigan Athletic produced a controlled and “really convincing” 3-0 FA Cup first-round victory over National League leaders Boreham Wood at Meadow Park, with Jon Mellish and Morgan Fox scoring the goals that carried Gary Caldwell’s side into the second round.

As reported by Wigan Today, Caldwell said Wigan had “a clear plan of how we were going to win the game” and believed the result reflected the difference in level between the two sides. Mellish gave the visitors the lead in the 11th minute, before Fox struck twice to secure Wigan’s place in the next stage of the competition.

How Did Wigan Athletic Take Control?

Wigan began the match on the front foot and created early openings before taking the lead. As reported by the Express & Star, Bradley-Paul Burrowes drove a shot into the side netting from the left of the box, while Christian Saydee forced Boreham Wood goalkeeper Ted Curd into a diving save.

The opening goal arrived in the 11th minute. Saydee played a smart pass across the box and Mellish fired home to put Wigan ahead. The goal gave the League One side an early advantage against a Boreham Wood team that had been unbeaten in the National League this season.

Wigan doubled their lead in the 36th minute after Mellish was tripped 25 yards from goal. Morgan Fox stepped up and struck an “unstoppable” free-kick into the top left corner, according to the Express & Star match report.

At half-time, Wigan led 2-0, with Mellish and Fox having given the visitors a firm grip on the tie.

What Did Gary Caldwell Say After the Win?

Caldwell said Wigan had approached the game with a clear tactical plan and praised his players for carrying it out. As reported by Wigan Today, he said: “We had a clear plan of how we were going to win the game.”

He also stressed that Wigan had given Boreham Wood the respect their league form deserved. “We gave them the full respect they deserve, but I thought we were very, very good,” Caldwell said, according to Wigan Today.

Caldwell added that Wigan could have won by a greater margin because of the chances they created on the counter-attack. “If anything I thought we could have won the game by more, with the chances we created on the counter attack,” he said.

The Wigan manager also acknowledged that his side could have looked after the ball better, despite the convincing nature of the victory.

“I thought when we did that, we looked a real threat, although I would have liked us to have looked after the ball better,”

Caldwell said.

Why Did Wigan Change Their Tactical Plan?

Caldwell explained that Wigan had initially worked on a 5-3-2 shape in training to deal with Boreham Wood’s set-up. However, he said that approach did not work as intended and the coaching staff decided to change course.

“They give you a lot of problems in how they set up, and we tried to play in a 5-3-2 in training to combat that,” Caldwell said, as reported by Wigan Today.

He said the players and staff then identified that a 5-2-3 system would be more effective because it allowed Wigan to put more pressure on the ball. “That didn’t really work in training, and we spoke to the players about it, and identified it would be better to go with a 5-2-3 and put more pressure on the ball,” Caldwell said.

The change appeared to help Wigan control the contest. Caldwell said the system made his side look like “a real threat”, even though he wanted improved possession play from his players.

How Did Morgan Fox Seal the Victory?

Morgan Fox scored Wigan’s second goal from a free-kick in the 36th minute and then added the third in the 74th minute. His second goal came from a Max Power corner delivered from the left, according to the Express & Star.

Fox headed home Power’s corner to make it 3-0 and effectively end the contest. The goal was Wigan’s third of the afternoon and confirmed a comfortable victory against the National League leaders.

The result meant Mellish scored once and Fox scored twice, with Wigan’s goals coming in the 11th, 36th and 74th minutes.

What Did Caldwell Say About Boreham Wood?

Caldwell was full of praise for Boreham Wood, despite defeating them 3-0. As reported by Wigan Today, he said:

“I think they’re an excellent football team, and I think they’ll win the National League comfortably.”

He pointed to Boreham Wood’s unbeaten start to the season as evidence of their quality.

“When you’re talking about any team that hasn’t lost this season – and we’re now in November – it shows just how good a team they are,”

Caldwell said.

Caldwell also said the result demonstrated Wigan’s position two divisions above Boreham Wood.

“To come here against a team flying at their level shows the level we’re at – two levels above them – and it was a really convincing win,”

he said.

How Did Boreham Wood Manager Luke Garrard Respond?

Boreham Wood manager Luke Garrard responded to Caldwell’s praise by welcoming the comments. As reported by Your Local Guardian and the Guardian Series, Garrard said: “How nice is that? I’ll go and thank him personally for that.”

Garrard’s side went into the match with a 12-point lead at the top of the National League. Despite the defeat, Boreham Wood remained unbeaten at the top of the division, according to the FA’s first-round wrap.

Caldwell had said Boreham Wood would be in the Football League next season, a comment Garrard acknowledged positively. “They’re an excellent team,” Garrard said, according to Your Local Guardian.

What Happened During the Second Half?

There was a delay to the start of the second half because of a medical incident in the crowd. As reported by ESPN, the match restarted around 15 minutes late.

Boreham Wood started the second half with greater intensity, according to the Express & Star, but Wigan remained in control of the tie. The home side did not manage to pull a goal back, and Fox’s 74th-minute header settled the match.

Wigan held on without Boreham Wood ever appearing likely to reduce the deficit, according to Wigan Today. The final score remained 3-0 at full time.

What Does the Result Mean for Wigan?

The victory sends Wigan Athletic into the second round of the FA Cup. It also gave Caldwell’s side a strong response after a difficult league position, with Wigan reported to be fourth from bottom of League One.

Caldwell said the most important objective on the day was progression. “Yes we want to have an identity about the way we play, but the most important thing on days like this is getting through to the next round,” he said, according to Wigan Today.

He also explained why he selected an experienced team for the tie. “A few players were out of the team today who haven’t been playing badly,” Caldwell said, as reported by Your Local Guardian.

“I felt we needed as experienced a team as we could pick,” Caldwell continued. “We needed men, we needed physicality with Boreham Wood’s possession-based game and I felt we could hurt them in transition.”

Caldwell said the team selected was probably the oldest Wigan could pick, and praised the players for controlling the game, the crowd and the occasion.

What Does the Result Mean for Boreham Wood?

For Boreham Wood, the defeat ended their involvement in the FA Cup first round, but their league position remained strong. The club entered the tie as unbeaten leaders of the National League, with a 12-point advantage at the top of the table.

Despite the 3-0 scoreline, Caldwell’s public praise for the side may provide encouragement for Garrard and his players as they continue their National League campaign.

The match was played at Meadow Park, with a reported attendance of 2,031. Boreham Wood’s focus will now return to the National League, where they remain unbeaten and lead the division.

Background of the Development

Wigan Athletic are former FA Cup winners and entered the first-round tie carrying that pedigree. The BBC described Wigan as having “lived up to their pedigree as FA Cup winners” in the victory over Boreham Wood.

Boreham Wood, meanwhile, had been enjoying an outstanding National League campaign. The side were unbeaten at the top of the division and held a 12-point lead before the FA Cup tie.

Caldwell’s comments highlighted the contrast between the two clubs’ league positions. Wigan sit fourth from bottom in League One, two divisions above Boreham Wood, while Boreham Wood have been leading the National League.

The FA Cup first round brought the sides together at Meadow Park, with Wigan ultimately proving too strong on the day. The result was one of the notable outcomes of the first round, with the FA reporting that Wigan had halted high-flying Boreham Wood.

Prediction: How Can This Affect Wigan and Boreham Wood?

For Wigan supporters, the result may strengthen confidence that the team can compete effectively in knockout football, even while their league form remains challenging. Caldwell’s emphasis on experience, physicality and transition play suggests Wigan may continue to prioritise those qualities in future cup ties.

Progress to the second round gives Wigan another FA Cup fixture and an opportunity to build momentum. The victory also provides Caldwell with evidence that his tactical adjustment from a 5-3-2 to a 5-2-3 can help the team press more effectively and create chances in transition.

For Boreham Wood, the defeat is a setback in the cup but does not alter their strong National League position. The side remain unbeaten at the top of the division, and Caldwell’s belief that they will win the league comfortably may add to expectations around the club for the rest of the season.

For fans of both clubs, the result may shape expectations in different ways. Wigan supporters may view the performance as a sign that the squad can rise to the occasion in cup competition, while Boreham Wood supporters may see the defeat as a reminder of the gap that can exist against higher-division opposition, even during an exceptional league campaign.