The K's are maybe one of the few clubs in recent years to have enjoyed if that is the right word a more rollercoaster existence than Wood.

Ryman League Champions in 1998, pipping Bob Makin's Wood team to the title, Kingstonian spent three eventful seasons in the Conference, winning the FA Trophy in successive years at Wembley under the stewardship of manager Geoff Chapple.

Last term they gained more nationwide attention as victories over Southend and Brentford saw the K's through to a Sky televised FA Cup 4th Round Replay with Bristol City which they narrowly lost 1-0.

But the Surrey club were plainly living beyond their means, and relegation back to the Ryman ranks last May opened a can of crippling financial worms that resulted in the loss of most of their successful squad as the inflated wage bill was slashed.

Then came the shock sacking of legendary boss Chapple, now at the helm of neighbours Woking.

Kingstonian were forced into administration as several of the previously sacked players threatened to sue the club, and new manager Bill Williams departed soon after a miserable FA Cup exit at Wessex minnows Brockenhurst.

Into this whirlpool walked former Coventry, Spurs, Ipswich and Wolves star Steve Sedgeley, who was promoted from a coaching position to the hot seat, but within a few weeks he had stabilised the team and they began to steadily climb the table.

Last November the K's defeated a young Wood line up 3-1 at Meadow Park, and it will be a tall order for joint bosses, Micky Engwell and Lee Harvey, to avoid the home side completing a league double at Kingsmeadow this weekend.

However, Wood will take heart from the last meeting of the clubs in Kingston, when, on October 7, 1997, a hat-trick from Junior Samuels and a brace from Shaun Marshall gave them a fabulous 5-2 win.

Goals are normally the order of the day in this fixture Kingstonian thrashed Wood 5-1 on the opening day of the previous season.

The K's, currently placed 11th in the table, despatched basement club Harrow Borough 3-1 on their own turf last time out, after letting a 2-0 midweek lead slip against Wood's lodgers Enfield at Meadow Park. That game finished 2-2.

Burly on-loan striker Tim Sills scored in both those matches, and he proves a handful for any side.

Wood should welcome back Brian Jones after suspension on Saturday, and Dominic Grime, Phil Mason and player-boss Engwell should return too.

Midfielder Jeran Meah is close to consideration, and his influence has been missed during his lengthy absence from duty.

Meah last played in the 2-0 win at Aldershot on November 10 Wood's most recent victory in open play.

Kingstonian v Boreham Wood

Ryman League Premier Division

Saturday, February 9, kick off 3pm

Kingsmeadow Stadium

Kingston Road

Kingston-Upon-Thames, Surrey

***

Forthcoming fixtures: Saturday February 16, Canvey Island (H) 3pm; Tuesday February 19, Hitchin Town (H) (Herts Senior Cup Semi Final) 7.30pm.