The word on the lips of both managers is momentum as Boreham Wood host basement side Torquay United for the first time in their history in the National League on Saturday.

The two sides have met before on two occasions, both at Plainmoor. In September, a hard fought 2-1 victory was the second of Wood's four away wins to date this campaign.

Thirteen years earlier, as an Isthmian Premier Division outfit, Wood were on the wrong end of a 5-0 drubbing from the Devon outfit in the FA Cup.

However, things have changed dramatically since then with the Gulls falling two divisions, mirroring Wood's rise up the non-league pyramid.

Player-manager Kevin Nicholson took charge at Plainmoor after the last encounter between the two sides – succeeding Paul Cox – and looks to finally have built some momentum. That is largely due to Torquay’s fine run to the last eight in the FA Trophy.

Chesham United, Wrexham and Macclesfield Town have all been dispatched in the Trophy. The Silkmen were defeated 1-0 on Tuesday evening thanks to a Nathan Smith goal, booking a last-eight tie at Bognor Regis Town next weekend.

But it is in the National League where Nicholson, 35, has real cause for concern.

Only relegated from League Two under Chris Hargreaves in 2014, the Devon side finished 13th last season prompting Hargreaves – another former player – to exit Plainmoor after failing to agree a new contract with the financially troubled club.

The Gulls have three games in hand yet find themselves bottom of the table after Kidderminster Harriers posted three back to back wins. Twelve points from safety, Nicholson has overseen just one win from Torquay’s last 13 league fixtures.

Torquay looked to have turned the tide on Boxing Day when they recorded a crushing 4-1 win at home to second-placed Forest Green Rovers.

However, defeats at Cheltenham Town and Rovers, in the return fixture, came before losses at home to Gateshead and away at improving Tranmere Rovers. A six-goal thriller at Plainmoor last weekend against Macclesfield ensured a midweek replay at the Cheshire side.

For Wood boss Luke Garrard the game presents the chance for his side to post back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

The win at Braintree Town on Tuesday was Wood’s first double over National League opponents this season and Garrard will be desperate to repeat that feat on Saturday.

The very fact Wood are embroiled in a relegation battle against relative giants such as Torquay United gives the task at hand perspective ahead of a crucial meeting at Meadow Park on Saturday.