Last season the Blues suffered nightmares at the hands of Braintree Town, losing twice, conceding five goals, scoring none and having three men sent-off.
Having started the current campaign with two defeats, Steve Burr and his team will be desperate to pick up some points at Cressing Road on Saturday (3pm).
But that won't be easy because the Iron are big, strong, well-organised and tough to break down.
Despite being part-time, the Essex club proved the surprise package of the league last season with a top-six finish.
Flat-cap wearing boss Alan Devonshire has been around too long to let that go to his head and his squad has the same goal as last season: get to 51 points as soon as possible.
Braintree lost 1-0 at Macclesfield last weekend with ex-Chester City strike Chris Holroyd getting the goal.
But the Iron picked up maximum points on Tuesday with a 3-0 home win over Dover Athletic thanks to two-goal Alan Massey and James Mulley.
Devonshire was pleased with the response from his side and has challenged them to follow that win up with another three points against the Blues this weekend.
“I think they let themselves down on Saturday and I think they felt that as well so I’m delighted,” he said.
“We’ve got another game Saturday and we want to make this a fortress here.
“We’re a mobile team and if we play it right, people are going to struggle against us and that’s what we want to do.
“I thought the back four was tremendous as well as going forward. That’s the way we need to play.”
Devonshire’s success has been built on a miserly defence and quick breaks, although star men Dan Holman and Dean Wells moved on over the summer.
Close-season additions included ex-Hereford forward Dan Walker, French defender Remy Clerima and Charlie Strutton from AFC Wimbledon.
Winger Dan Sparkes had a hand in all three goals in the win over Dover and will be the main danger for the Blues.
Burr has strengthened his squad with 20-year-old centre back Ben Heneghan, who left Stoke City at the end of last season.
That suggests Michael Kay has not overcome his knee problem and midfielder Danny Harrison misses the second game of his three-match ban.
Having been trounced 5-0 at home to Barnet on the opening afternoon, the Blues responded with a much more encouraging display at Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday.
Although his side lost 2-1, the manager took heart from the performance and will want to see further improvement at Braintree.
Burr said: "I'd have liked to have got something out of the game, that goes without saying, but we'll go to Braintree and we'll build on what we;ve done
“I would think Braintree will be big and strong because that’s what you get in this division."
Keeper Freddy Hall replaced Jon Wornsop at the New Lawn and should keep his place after an excellent debut.
Burr confirmed he was keen to sort out a longer-term deal for Bermudan international Hall, who is currently playing for free.
"I'm going to try and sort something out with him if we can but I was pleased because it was a difficult game to come into," said the manager."
