Kain Adom was instrumental on his Burton Albion debut as the Brewers got past National League side Boreham Wood in the third round of the FA Cup.
Adom started for the League One club a day after joining from Gateshead and set Kyran Lofthouse up for his first-half opener at Meadow Park.
His attempt to double Burton’s lead with a header just before the break ended with Charlie O’Connell conceding an own goal.
Substitute Fabio Tavares pounced on a fumble from Boreham Wood goalkeeper Ted Curd to tap in Burton’s third, before late goals from Dylan Williams and JJ McKiernan completed an ultimately comfortable win against the non-league high-flyers.
For Burton, it was not only a convincing way to reach the FA Cup fourth round but also an emphatic way to end a three-game losing run.
The hosts started brightly and carved out a number of chances in the first half hour, with Regan Booty twice testing Brewers goalkeeper Kamil Dudek.
But it was the visitors who took the lead against the run of play, courtesy of Lofthouse’s fine first-time finish at the end of well-worked team move that saw Adom sweep an inviting ball into the box for the defender to latch on to.
Adom was unfortunate not score on his debut, as his header from Jack Armer’s cross was bundled into his own net by O’Connell after desperate attempts to clear the danger on the line.
Boreham Wood pressed for a way back into the game after the interval but were limited to few real chances before Burton put the result beyond doubt with three second-half goals against the third-placed National League side.
Williams had a part to play in two of them, with Curd’s inability to deal with his free-kick allowing Tavares to put Burton 3-0 up before Williams made it four himself with a composed finish after meeting a long ball from Terence Vancooten.
McKiernan then marked his return from injury and a memorable afternoon with a stoppage-time strike to complete the five-nil scoreline.
Boreham Wood manager Luke Garrard told BBC Three Counties Radio:
“I didn’t envision that. I didn’t see it coming.
“I thought we prepped them and that we started the game really well, had a couple of opportunities, and then they go and get a goal and we concede a second for our lack of communication.
“The third is the big one. The second-half, we started ever so well, got on the front foot, had loads of opportunities, but we weren’t clinical enough in the final third.
“I look at them and say they probably had six opportunities and scored five of them. You see how ruthless they are and unfortunately today, that wasn’t the case for us.”
Burton Albion boss Gary Bowyer told BBC Radio Derby:
“The bookies had Boreham Wood as favourites and I said that to you before the game. We knew the start of the game would be as it was. We had to weather that.
“Kain [Adom] met his team-mates yesterday, and I thought he did terrific on his debut and provided a great assist for Lofty [Kyran Lofthouse].
“And what a finish from Lofty. We scored five great goals today, if I’m being honest.
“It’s a tough place to come, they are riding high and we have 13 first-team players missing, but I’m really pleased with the performance and am delighted to send those wonderful fans home happy.”
