Wood's excellent win at leaders Billericay on Tuesday has prepared the ground nicely for the weekend visit of their Essex neighbours Purfleet, soundly beaten 4-1 the same evening at Aldershot.

That result saw the end of the Fleet's unbeaten start to the campaign, but Wood will have to be on top form to take the points against a side that was placed joint second in the league after their 5-1 demolition of ten man Croydon last Saturday.

Purfleet have already won at Meadow Park this term, when they defeated Wood's tenants Enfield 1-0, but their last league clash with the landlords came almost exactly two years ago, when a late equaliser by substitute Robert Collins saved a point for Wood in a 1-1 draw.

The clubs met last season at Thurrock in a Full Members Cup tie, won 3-1 by the home side with current Wood form man Micky Engwell on target for Fleet, who went on to lose the final to Gravesend.

The visitors line up is expected to include two men who briefly wore Wood's colours during their last ill-fated premier division campaign: midfielder Kieran Adams and striker Martin Buglione, who enjoyed two separate spells at Meadow Park, in between which he appeared for St Johnstone in the Scottish Premier League.

This match will be something of an early dress rehearsal for the FA Trophy clash between the sides,which is scheduled for Purfleet on 3rd November.

Boreham Wood v Purfleet

Ryman League Premier Division

Saturday, September 15, Kick Off 3pm

Meadow Park

***

It would not be overstating the fact that next Tuesday's fixture sees Wood visit one of the top non-league sides in the country, as they travel to Park Lane.

Holders of the FA Umbro Trophy after defeating Conference outfit Forest Green Rovers at Villa Park last May, the Gulls became the first Isthmian League club to win the highest prize in the semi pro game for 20 years, and they also finished as premier division runners-up to Farnborough Town.

Canvey strengthened their striking options in the summer with the signing of Dagenham & Redbridge's former Purfleet man Paul Cobb, but started the season indifferently, losing at home to Aldershot and surprisingly at Croydon.

But Chesham were thrashed 5-1 on their own patch, and last Tuesday the Gulls recorded an awesome 7-0 win at Heybridge Swifts.

However, Wood currently enjoy a 100 per cent record against the Islanders, winning both league fixtures when the clubs met for the first time in the premier division in 1999/2000.

Mark Robson's goal gave Colin Payne's side a 1-0 win at Park Lane in April, after Wood had taken the points in January with a 3-2 win at Meadow Park.

Making his debut in the latter game was striker Neil Selby, and it was announced last weekend that he has been transferred to first division Staines Town.

It seems that his departure was not completely amicable, after Selby was placed on the transfer list at his own request after being dropped for the recent trip to Harrow Borough.

Chairman Danny Hunter said: "Selby was out injured for the whole of last season, costing the club thousands of pounds not only in his wages but paying out on a replacement. The club always put his interests first.

“He started the season by scoring the winner against Bedford in our first game, but the manager then left Neil out after poor team performances against both Hendon and Grays. His response was to go on the list, while besmirching our good name at the FA.

“Neil has since dropped down a division and I hope he remains injury free, as he might find some clubs are not quite as tolerant."

Canvey Island v Boreham Wood

Ryman League Premier Division

Tuesday, September 18

Kick Off 7.30pm

Park Lane, Canvey Island, Essex