Last Saturday's downpour caused Billericay's visit to Meadow Park to be postponed on a day when waterlogged pitches saw 42 of the 44 scheduled Ryman League fixtures fall foul of the weather.

However, a blank weekend for both clubs sees them try again this week, and joint Wood player boss Micky Engwell is only too aware of the importance of this match to his underfire charges.

He told me: "It's vitally important that we kick-start our season again against Billericay and get the three points. I know that we keep saying it, but we need to get a result in this game.

"I know Town's manager Gary Calder quite well, and it's sure to be a bit of a battle, but they like to play a bit of football as well, so it should be a good match."

Was last Saturday's washout a disappointment?

"It was a bit of both really," replied Engwell, "It was frustrating not to play, but we had a few out through injury, so it could have been a blessing in disguise too.

"Jeran Meah won't make it against Billericay, but he's on his way back, and the specialist has given him the go ahead to start doing some running.

"Unfortunately, Phil Mason's ankle ligament problem means that he'll need at least another seven days, and Brian Jones has got one more game of his suspension to serve.

"It's annoying, but in a week or two's time, I'll have three important players to call upon once more."

Meah's goal gave Wood victory at New Lodge in September, so the completion of the club's first league double of the campaign this Saturday will surely be very welcome.

The Blues arrive in eigth place in the Premier Division table, with 38 points from 26 games. Wood in contrast are 16th after nine successive league defeats, with 29 points from the same total of matches.

Only their bright opening to the campaign is keeping them above the mire, and it is crucial that Wood reverse the scoreline from the Blues' last visit to Meadow Park, when the visitors won 2-0 in December 1999, a game which also saw home striker Mike Bignall sent off. Billericay's last competitive outing saw them defeat Basingstoke 2-0, their first win in ten league matches, but this was followed by an impressive 3-0 friendly win over Barnet.

Former Enfield boss Calder has an experienced squad to call upon, including ex-Farnborough striker Steve Darlington, powerful Australian born centre back Chris Moore, and former Sutton, Welling and Leyton Orient forward Joe Baker, who scored 27 goals in 54 matches for the Blues last term.

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Keeper Gavin King spent eight seasons with Bishops Stortford, and is the son of the Millwall goalkeeping legend Bryan.

The Blues have recorded five wins on their travels so far, at Bedford, Harrow, Basingstoke, Hendon and Heybridge Swifts.

With the departure from Meadow Park of both midfielder Glen Southam and striker Damian Markman following the expiry of their loan periods, Engwell, together with fellow joint boss Lee Harvey, continues to search for the right blend to see a turnaround in the team's fortunes.

A seven day approach has been made to striking midfield man Carl Holmes, who has already found the net regularly this term for Dr Martens Midlands Division outfit Stamford, and Harrow striker Fabio Valenti remains a target.

However, Robert Kean, another midfield player, currently with cash strapped neighbours St Albans, apparently turned down a proposed move to Wood recently.

Boreham Wood v Billericay Town

Ryman League Premier Division

Saturday, February 2,

kick off 3pm, Meadow Park

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Forthcoming fixtures: Saturday February 9: Kingstonian (A) 3pm; Saturday February 16: Canvey Island (H) 3pm.

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Free family party inviteWood intend this Saturday to be a Family Day at Meadow Park, and from 5pm onwards BWFC are staging a free family party event in Meadow Park's Forest Rooms. The Pink Panther Road Show Disco will be on hand to deliver the sounds, and the club will provide a free buffet to all supporters, BWFC Youth players and their parents. Admission is completely free, and everyone is very welcome.