STEVE Butterworth has called on Great Wakering Rovers to put out-of-form Romford under pressure from the first whistle.

The two sides will meet at Brentwood Town’s home, where Romford are staging their home fixtures this term, for an Isthmian North contest tomorrow.

While Wakering have got the campaign off to an encouraging start, Romford are bottom of the standings and without a point, so Butterworth is hoping to heap more misery on their hosts.

The Wakering player-manager said: “Romford haven’t won a point yet, so we want to be on the front foot from the off.

“If we can get an early goal, they may struggle to get back into the game because of the form they are in.

“The first goal is vital because their confidence will rise immediately if they go ahead.

“We need to start fast and get ourselves in front as soon as we can because then we will be in the ascendancy and they will have to try and break us down, which may leave gaps in their defence.”

However, Butterworth is expecting to be without some key defenders for the trip.

“We may have a makeshift back four because we have some defensive injury problems,” added Butterworth.

“Marc Gorbell is out with a hamstring strain and Ollie Woodhouse is away, so I am without two centre-halves.

“Anthony Furlong picked up an injury at Witham Town in midweek and needed to come off at half-time, so I doubt he will be available.

“It may result in some youngsters coming into the backline but I have every confidence in them.”