Wood's recent FA Cup record is certainly one to be proud of having reached the second round proper in each of the past two seasons, but on Saturday they face a club whose achievements in the competition are second to none.

Sutton United bar the way to entry into Saturday evening's first round draw, as they arrive at Meadow Park for what should be an enthralling fourth qualifying round tie, kick-off 3pm.

Wood confidently expect by far their largest competitive gate of the term, and all at the club are urging the town to turn out in numbers to roar their team through to a potential pairing with the likes of Fulham, Millwall or Leyton Orient.

There is little doubt that Sutton will be well-supported, as they remain one of the biggest names in the non-league game.

The Us celebrated their 100th birthday back in March, and can point to a glittering roll call of honours down the years, including three Isthmian League titles, and a hat trick of visits to Wembley between 1963 and 1981, in both the FA Amateur Cup and FA Trophy.

Sutton spent five years in the Conference during the late Eighties, but more recently it is with the FA Cup that their most celebrated successes have been associated.

The club has reached the competition proper on 16 occasions, and twice have got as far as the Fourth Round, the last time in 1989, when Matthew Hanlon's goal knocked out First Division Coventry City, cup winners two years previously, to record Sutton's greatest single victory.

To date this is the last FA Cup defeat of a club from the top division by one from the non-league.

The fairytale ended abruptly at Carrow Road in the next round, as Norwich City showed no mercy when handing out an 8-0 thrashing.

Five years ago Sutton won away ties at Colchester and Torquay before losing narrowly 2-3 at Notts County in round three.

The U's Gander Green Lane home recorded its record attendance for an FA Cup fourth round tie back in 1970, when Don Revie brought his powerful Leeds team to Surrey and crushed the home side 6-0, watched by a 14,000 crowd and millions more on BBC's Match Of The Day.

This is Sutton's third successive away draw in this term's competition. In the second qualifying round they won 1-0 at St Leonards, but struggled through against minnows Ford Sports Daventry after a replay at the last stage.

Former West Ham, Leyton Orient and Bournemouth striker Mark Watson has scored in both rounds so far, and he will have to be carefully watched by Wood, as will Frenchman Nassim Akrour, the Us' leading scorer in the league, as they currently stand second in the table to Billericay.

Sutton's line-up also includes some brothers of the rich and famous, and the son of one, too.

Andy Salako is the sibling of Fulham's former England striker John, and striker Nko Ekoku is hoping to follow a similarly successful path to his brother John, now at Wimbledon, who began his career with the Us nine years ago.

Goalkeeper Gareth Howells' brother David won a cup winners' medal with Spurs in 1991, and Paul Harford is the offspring of former Blackburn and QPR manager Ray.

Experienced midfielder David Harlow has three England semi-pro caps, having been signed last month from Conference side Farnborough, and Francis Vines arrived recently from Hampton to renew his striking partnership with Salako, which was such a hit at Carshalton.

The family theme is continued at management level, as Us' boss John Rains is assisted by brother Tony, who scored Sutton's first goal in the historic win over Coventry.

John was named Ryman Premier Division manager for both August and September.

Wood's boss Bob Makin knows the Rains well, and is looking forward to something of a battle royal on Saturday.

"We are aware of Sutton and their potential, and it's always rather eventful when we meet...often with the usual blood and guts!

"We will not be doing anything special to counter them, but they will come into the match fresh, as they received a first round bye in the FA Trophy, and have not have played in midweek. We could have done without having to play at Molesey on Wednesday -- they even wanted to play on Thursday night for some reason!"

Makin also noted that recent meetings have been characterised by late goals, and will no doubt be looking for revenge following the last cup meeting of the sides, when Sutton lifted the 1996 Carlton Full Members Cup after defeating Wood on penalties in the final at Purfleet.

Wood's first round FA Umbro Trophy Match at Molesey was postponed due to the devastating storms that hit the country on Saturday.

"We received a phone call at the club at about 11.50 to tell us it was off", said Makin.

"The players had been in at 10.30 that morning for a briefing and to go through some dead ball stuff, before having a light lunch, so at least we didn't have to make the journey."

The game was due to be played last night, and if successful Wood face a long trip to Gloucestershire in the next round to face Conference outfit Forest Green Rovers on November 21.

Wood have added 20-year-old wide midfielder Claudio De Vitoto their squad this past week, whose contract was recently cancelled by Barnet.

Former Watford star Steve Talboys, who featured last term for Wood, has also been linked with a return, but as Makin said: "There's no room for manoeuvre on budgets at the moment."

Kerry Dixon was earmarked for a return to the line-up last night, and Steve Daly has the cast from his broken nose removed so may come into contention.

On-loan striker Colin Simpson is not eligible by his status for any FA competition.

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