These two old rivals had previously met in three different leagues, but their first engagement as Conference rivals was far from a classic.

Marien Ifura was restored to the centre of the Staines defence, James King came into the midfield, and Ali Chaaban got a first start of the season.

This meant that Richard Orlu and Gareth Risbridger were moved to the bench, whilst Richard Butler is expected to be sidelined for a couple of months as a result of the knee injury he picked up on Tuesday.

Wood’s side contained two former Swans – Lee Kersey and Elliott Godfrey – but their pre-match was disrupted by a warm-up injury to Dewayne Clarke, who was replaced by Junior Dadson at the last minute.

The pitch was excellent, and Staines attacked the Penton Hook end in the first half, which started just on the cool side of mild.

The game started with early chances at each end, with a header from Wood’s Claude Seanla and a shot by Swans’ André Scarlett (following a Leroy Griffiths cut-back) both testing their opposing ‘keepers in the opening 12 minutes or so.

But play quickly deteriorated, a couple of silly bookings compounding a catalogue of misplaced passes and squandered set-pieces.

Staines were unhappy with a free-kick awarded against Scarlett for what appeared to be a well-timed tackle, and another similar one against Ifura which brought the first yellow card.

Moments later, Darty Brown found himself carded when the referee and his assistant seemed to be at odds as to where a throw should be taken.

In between, Chaaban showed a flash of inspiration, creating space in the box for a shot that required Williams to save.

Two minutes before the interval, Staines were put under pressure by a huge kick from Wood keeper Williams, but Dadson was adjudged to have pushed Ifura as the pair closed in on the ball in the box, and danger was averted.

An angled snap-shot by Scarlett drew a save from Williams (whom Staines have rarely beaten, even since his days at Corinthian-Casuals), and after a minute’s stoppage time, a forgettable half was brought to a close.

The second half began with a snap rain shower, but not a great deal more excitement on the park.

A foul by Seanla led to a yellow card for the Wood striker on 51 minutes, and a momentary flashpoint that was soon calmed down, but very soon he was involved in action of the ‘right’ kind, breaking ree athletically but shooting off target.

“It’s just like watching Brazil”, intoned the Staines Massive, but no-one was fooled.

Wood became increasingly satisfied with the point they started with, and Staines lacked the guile to break them down.

Sub Scott Taylor combined well with Chaaban and won a free kick, but Brown’s rocket was snuffed out by the wall.

Their other sub, Warren Harris, set up Griffiths for a shot that Williams saved, and when Chaaban was fouled some 30 yards from goal, all 22 players with the exception of Louis Wells were packed into the box, only for the wall to again do its job.

Only in the last 10 minutes was there any concerted attacking play, and it was the unlikely boot of Simon Jackson (an angled shot that was saved) that started it.

At the other end, Wells did well to divert a Godfrey shot round for a corner, following Lee Allinson’s good pass.

Returning to the attack, René Steer controlled well to set up a chance that Harris headed just off target, then Griffiths and Chaaban combined in a move that saw the latter’s shot saved by Williams.

In between, Mario Noto drove a telling pass across the Swans box, and although Kersey was unable to make good contact, he kept the move alive and Noto saw another drive touched for a corner.

Staines momentarily thought they had won the game when Chaaban and Taylor combined for Harris to slot the ball into the net in the 88th minute, but he was offside. Play ended after 3 additional minutes.

Staines: Wells; Jackson, Steer, Gordon ©, Ifura, J King (Taylor 64), Charles-Smith (Harris 59), D Brown, Griffiths, Scarlett; Chaaban; unused Risbridger, Kamara, Orlu.

Boreham W: Williams, Garrard, Brathwaite, Noto ©, Kersey, Moran, Dadson, Godfrey, Seanla (Blackburne 80), Allinson (D King 82), Morgan; unused Clarke, Hunter, Kirby.

Ref: Robert Ellis (Tile Hill, Coventry); ARs I Kitchen (Goldsworth Pk), A Mawby (Woking).

Att 295.