Tommy Sampson takes his men into their first cup tie under his management this weekend, as the Thurrock Hotel proves to be the last chance saloon for Wood in their quest for a money-spinning run this term in the non-league game's premier competition.

Although the FA Trophy Final is now held at Villa Park, Sampson was a Wembley winner only last year in the FA Vase with Deal Town, and chairman Danny Hunter will be hoping some of that magic will rub off on his charges, as they look to win their first tie in this tournament under his stewardship.

First hurdle exits to Dorchester and Rothwell in the last two campaigns are sharply at odds with the adventures Wood experienced in the mid-nineties, when Conference outfits Kettering and Dover were vanquished, and the last 16 was reached twice, most recently in 1998 when a home replay was lost to Slough.

That was the closest to date that the club has ever got to the final, but since then Wood have only won once in the competition, at lowly Molesey, and a good run is now long overdue.

Sampson will know all about Purfleet this weekend, as he told me: "I signed both their forwards for Deal when I was there, and Steve Marshall played in my Wembley side."

His partner Martin Buglione was ironically signed from Wood that term, but agonisingly had to miss treading the hallowed turf as he was cup tied.

The Fleet also feature former Wood men in striker Colin Simpson and midfielder Kieran Adams, and sport a line-up packed with experience, including former Swindon and Leyton Orient schemer Martin Ling and abrasive skipper Jimmy McFarlane commanding the backline.

Sampson remarked: "Purfleet have got pace up front, and they're a side that work hard for results.

"I've seen them about five times this season, and I think it will be a very evenly matched game on Saturday."

That last comment is underlined by one glance at the league table, which shows the sides with the same points total, 23, and an identical goal difference.

The clubs met as recently as September, when an own goal gave Wood the points at Meadow Park.

Wood's last trip to Thurrock ended in a 3-1 defeat last season in the Full Members Cup, with current Wood wingback Micky Engwell on target for the hosts.

The sides' only previous FA Trophy clash was back in October 1992, when goals by Justin Gentle and Colin Cardines were not enough to prevent a 2-3 Essex loss.Watch out for Shaun

*Purfleet v Boreham Wood

FA Umbro Trophy 1st Round

Saturday, November 3,

Kick Off 3pm, Thurrock Hotel, Ship Lane, Grays, Essex

***

This fixture is dependent on Wood's Trophy clash at Purfleet and Hitchin's match with Kingstonian ending in positive results.

The Canaries made up for the FA Cup disappointment at Aldershot last weekend by hammering Hendon 3-0 on Tuesday night, a result which has taken them out of the bottom three.

Wood will have to watch their former ace marksman Shaun Marshall, who continues to bang the goals in for Hitchin, and the visitors will include other ex-Wood players in Chris McMenamin and Nick Grime, the twin brother of Wood's Dominic.

*Boreham Wood v Hitchin Town

Ryman League Premier Division

Tuesday, November 6,

Kick Off 7.45pm

Meadow Park

October 31, 2001 15:15