Skipper Barfoot expected to return tomorrow at Crow Lane

Romford Recorder: Romford & Gidea Park's Ant Catchpole and Teddie Duke try to stop an Eton Manor rival (pic: DNR Glover)Romford & Gidea Park's Ant Catchpole and Teddie Duke try to stop an Eton Manor rival (pic: DNR Glover) (Image: Archant)

Romford & Gidea Park captain Steve Barfoot will not take anything for granted when they host London One North basement boys Woodford tomorrow (Saturday).

Grant Henwood’s team are two positions higher than their opponents and also have 17 more points than them.

Romford Recorder: Romford's veteran prop Jeff Wood looks to set up an attack at Chingford (pic: DNR Glover)Romford's veteran prop Jeff Wood looks to set up an attack at Chingford (pic: DNR Glover) (Image: Archant)

But Woodford have won more matches than Park this campaign and Barfoot knows it will be tough test at Crow Lane this weekend.

“It is a massive game this weekend and they have had a few good results lately, so we are not taking anything for granted,” he said.

Romford Recorder: Romford & Gidea Park's Barney Savill tries to release Bamilele Coker (pic: DNR Glover)Romford & Gidea Park's Barney Savill tries to release Bamilele Coker (pic: DNR Glover) (Image: Archant)

“Woodford have beaten a couple of teams and they actually have more wins than us this season, they have just had points deducted.

“We know it’ll be hard, but it will boost everybody if we can get a win and we do need one.”

Park defeated Woodford 41-16 at Highams in November, but Barfoot accepts that both teams have changed since then.

He added: “We will remind the players that we beat them before. We know the Woodford team we faced won’t be the same this weekend.

“It’s a completely different Romford team from the one that faced them before as well due to injuries and various other things. We have got to try and not be complacent and make sure we get the win.”

Barfoot and veteran Jeff Woods sat out the 46-0 loss to second-placed Eton Manor last weekend, Park’s 15th defeat of the campaign.

And although it was another loss to contend with, positives were taken from the thrashing.

“Me and Jeff watched the game and the boys stuck to it,” added Barfoot.

“Manor are a good side and the first 20 minutes they blew us out of the water, but we did have a very young side out.

“At the beginning of the season we shipped 60 points against them, so that is a positive to take.

“It took Manor a long time to score in the second half, but they did have a few knock-on’s and wasted a couple of chances.

“Barney Savill was oustanding in defence for us and we stuck at it.”

Barfoot added: “We tried a few things to see what players will step up next season. Although it was another loss, we are seeing positives.”