January 24, 2001 16:38: Walton & Hersham v

Boreham Wood

Ryman League Division One

Saturday January 27

Kick off 3pm

Stompond Lane, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey

A trip to struggling Walton on Saturday gives Wood an ideal opportunity to turn up the heat on Thame and Bedford at the top of the table.

The two leading sides drew 0-0 at Thame last Saturday, as a frozen Meadow Park pitch put paid to Bognor's visit.

Back in August Wood effortlessly beat Walton 3-0 at home, with John Lawford (2) and Neil Baker on target, and a repeat is vital this week.

The Swans were relegated from the premier division alongside Wood last term, and have found life difficult this time around too.

Kevin Hinge was replaced as manager in October by former player Matt Alexander, but the Surrey side have only won one league game since a 3-2 success at Bognor on September 23.

That came in mid-November in bizarre circumstances, as goalkeeper Paul Smith notched the only goals in the Swans' home match with basement boys Barton.

Stompond Lane has certainly seen its share of custodians' capers in recent times, as Yeading keeper Jim Bannatyne scored against Walton there this term, and in last season's corresponding game Wood's Dave Root was sent off for handling the ball outside the area in a 3-1 defeat.

Swans' keeper Delroy Preddie was also dismissed for a foul in this fixture three years ago. Walton's last match a fortnight ago saw them draw 1-1 with Ford.

Gary Phillips has released wide midfielder Jeff Brazier, as the former Canvey Island and Leyton Orient man did not feature in his plans, but he has re-signed Moroccan winger Youness Nabil, who left Wood last October after failing to reach agreement on personal terms with the then-manager Colin Payne.

Nabil has been released by Chesham United. Mark Robson, who left his berth as Wood player coach at the start of the season, to take up a position as coach to Charlton's Under-19 Academy team, has joined third division Aveley as a player.