After three successive wins, Wood are now on the wrong end of a hat-trick of defeats, and next face the struggling Eagles in their Eyrie this Saturday afternoon, looking for a change of fortune.

The situation was very different just under a year ago, when Wood travelled to meet Bedford with both clubs neck and neck, with Thame in the first division promotion race.

Wayne Dyer's goal with the last kick of the first half gave the home side the points in January before a bumper crowd of 818, the highest in the division up to that stage of the season.

Noel Imber saved Paul Wilson's penalty, and the Wood boss at the time, Gary Phillips, commented on the importance of the result when he bitterly said afterwards: "You'd think Bedford had just won the European Cup the way they're celebrating!"

History shows that it all ended happily however, with the Eagles runners-up to Wood's champions at the climax of the term, although Phillips was sacked in February and played no part in the club's ultimate success.

Neil Selby's single goal was enough to give Wood the points at Meadow Park on the opening day of the campaign back in August, and new joint bosses Harvey and Engwell would dearly love a repeat of that scoreline this weekend.

Bedford, managed by former Rushden & Diamonds boss Roger Ashby, made an awful start to this season, losing their first seven league games, but had the consolation of a fine FA Cup run, that ended recently in a narrow 2-1 replay defeat by neighbours Peterborough United.

Dr Martens Leaguers Eastbourne Borough ended the Eagles' interest in the FA Trophy a fortnight ago.

Last Saturday they were twice pegged back by Sutton at Gander Green Lane, having to settle for a 2-2 draw, a result which leaves Bedford third from bottom, with only three wins in 19 outings.

Only Croydon and Chesham United have returned pointless from visits to The New Eyrie so far this term, and maybe it will be Wood who are flying high on Saturday night.

Bedford Town v Boreham Wood

Ryman League Premier Division

Saturday, December 15

The New Eyrie, Meadow Lane, Cardington, Bedford,

Kick Off 3pm

* Forthcoming Fixtures: Saturday, December 22: Gravesend & Northfleet (Home) 3pm; Boxing Day: Enfield (Home) 3pm; Saturday, December 29: Sutton United (Home) 3pm.

December 12, 2001 12:39