BOREHAM Wood have denied Echosport access to Southend United’s FA Cup clash at Meadow Park on Saturday.

The Echo has been at every single Shrimpers’ match so far this season.

But the National League club will not be allowing anyone from the paper to attend this weekend.

Blues reporter Chris Phillips will still be covering the game via the stream and will do his best to provide the usual level of coverage but Boreham Wood have also denied access for any Echosport photographers this weekend.

Explaining their decision Boreham Wood released a club statement which read: "Following the recent advice sent to us by the National League Board and the FA, and in line with all present government guidelines, due to COVID-19, the club has had to make tough decisions in regard to who we can give entry to for Saturday’s FA Cup game against Southend United.

"Our decisions are based entirely on if somebody is deemed an essential worker or not. We believe a cautious, common sense approach is needed at this time and we are taking our guidance from our appropriate governing bodies; the FA and the National League, as well as our very own COVID Officer and Safety Officer.

"Unfortunately, we cannot look after away match reporters during this lockdown, as match reporters are not deemed as essential workers and can do their work from the safety of their homes via the live streams we provide. As such we will not be able to accommodate any non-essential media during this latest COVID-19 lockdown."

However, Echosport will have a reporter at Concord Rangers' tie at Stevenage this weekend