February 14, 2001 18:52: New Wood boss Graham Roberts has made his first signing, as he is reunited with long term associate Micky Engwell.

Engwell brings a wealth of experience with him to Meadow Park, and his list of previous clubs tempts one to repeat the old Jack Nicklaus joke.

After playing league football with both Crewe and Southend as a left back, he has worked with Roberts at Enfield, Yeovil, Chesham and Slough.

Engwell has also worn the colours of Grays, Harrow, Barking, Chelmsford and Purfleet, scoring for the latter against Wood earlier this term in the Full Members Cup.

Roberts said: "I felt we needed more balance on the left hand side, and Andre Delisser doesn't like the wing back position too much.

"I've worked with Micky before, and know what he can do."

Roberts added that he was looking to add two more names to the squad, and has made a seven-day approach to Purfleet for midfielder Gary Howard.

Following tonight's rearranged match with Walton & Hersham, Roberts faces a tricky home debut this Saturday against local rivals Wealdstone.

The Stones were denied promotion to the premier division two years ago because of ground grading problems, but have found this campaign a struggle, and are currently placed fifth from bottom.

The past few years have been dominated by their search for a new ground, and recent seasons have see Wealdstone sharing at Edgware.

It was there in September that Wood recorded their sixth successive league victory at the start of the season a club record in an eventful game that saw Colin Payne's team nearly surrender a three goal lead to hang on for a 3-2 win.

The Stones' visit this weekend is their first ever to Meadow Park for league points, their only previous competitive fixture there being a memorable FA Cup tie 30 years ago. Leading scorer John Lawford has recovered from his shin injury.

Boreham Wood v Wealdstone - Ryman League Division One - Saturday February 17 - Meadow Park, Kick off 3pm.

*****

Weather permitting, Wood travel to meet the struggling Tanners next Tuesday in what is sure to be something of an 'attitude' match.

The FA's decision to overrule the Ryman League regarding their restructuring plans, and insist that there must be relegation between the divisions, has once again heaped the worries onto the Surrey club, who have won only five of their 25 league outings this term, and languish in 20th place in the table.

Last weekend Leatherhead were beaten 2-0 at home by Uxbridge. Manager Roberts watched promotion rivals Braintree falter 5-3 at Bishops Stortford on Tuesday evening, after having their goalkeeper carried off early on.

It was the Iron's second defeat in four days, following their 2-0 loss at Bognor.

Leatherhead v Boreham Wood - Ryman Division One - Tuesday February 20 - Fetcham Grove, Leatherhead, Surrey, ko 7.45pm

By. DAVE RAWLINGS