Enfield Town 1 Cheshunt 0

Match Report by Andrew Warshaw

In front of 686 spectators, our biggest league gate for several years, Bank Holiday Monday brought another battling victory for the Towners as we narrowly overcame neighbours Cheshunt to make it 10 points out of 12.

Like us, our visitors were protecting an unbeaten start to the season but they were undone by the game’s one moment of quality as Mo Faal produced a spectacular finish on 38 minutes to round off the best move of the game featuring Sam Youngs, Scott Thomas and Adam Cunnington.

Special praise should go to Adam who perhaps had a point to prove against his old club. Despite precious little game time and being booked late on for dissent, he worked tirelessly for the team especially when using all his experience to hold the ball up in the last 15 minutes as his teammates tired after two games in 48 hours.

Adam wasn’t the only player trying to impress against his former club. Ken Charles, who enjoyed a lengthy spell with us, was lively up front for Cheshunt throughout and on another day might have found the net.

Both sides had early chances – Mo for us and Joe Re for the Ambers – before the visitors were inches away from taking the lead on 20 minutes. Reece Beckles-Richards’ curling screamer came back off the woodwork and somehow bounced out.

A double save from Nathan McDonald moments later kept us in the game before the most worrying aspect of the first half —  an injury to Josh Urquhart.

Having hurt his ankle whilst producing a superb tackle on Charles earlier in the game,  Josh had to be stretchered off just before the interval after damaging his knee and we had to re-organise.

By then, fortunately, we had taken the lead through Mo’s brilliant first-time volley in a wonderful four-man move.

Halftime: 1-0

Apart from a spell early in the second half when Charles, showing quick feet, twice almost levelled, Nathan was largely untroubled in our goal.

By contrast, substitute Andre Coker, on for the injured Lewis Taafe at halftime, had two excellent chances to put us further ahead while only a saving tackle Adam Crowther prevented Mo notching his second of the game.

Before the finish, our walking wounded list got worse as  Scott Thomas limped off following a tussle with Zubayr Brodie. We can only hope he recovers ahead of the all-important FA Cup first qualifying round game against Dereham on Saturday.

At least the influential Percy Kiangebeni should return, having been away on other business and conspicuous by his absence in our midfield.

In all, another spirited display of teamwork and togetherness. Hats off to the management team as well as the players.

Town line-up:

Mcdonald; Urquhart (Chappell 45), Bray, Gyebi, Smith; Thomas (Kirwan 77), Youngs, Maja, Taafe (Coker 46), Cunnington, Faal.

Subs not used: Walsh, Nzembela

Folkestone Invicta 0 Enfield Town 0

Match Report by John Dolan and Andrew Warshaw

Andy Leese hailed an excellent point as we maintained our unbeaten start to the season with a hard-fought draw in front of a bumper 800-plus crowd on the Kent coast.

Sam Youngs and Adam Cunnington, the latter back after injury, came into the starting line-up after both sides won their opening two games.

Folkestone, who were virtually at full strength, beat much-fancied Worthing 3-1 in their opening fixture which puts into perspective just how satisfying this result was.

The home side had by far the better of the first half and were convinced they should have taken the lead after just six minutes when David Smith’s shot hit the underside of the bar, only for the referee to rule it had not crossed the line. It was a fortunate let-off and VAR may well have ruled in Invicta’s favour.

The first half was very much a backs-to-the-wall job for us as Smith, Alfie Paxman with a free header, the dangerous Ade Yusuff and Jordan Wright had further chances to put the game to bed.

 On 23 minutes Nathan Smith did wonders to block one shot and then kick the ball off the line after a period of sustained pressure.

 The Towners were defending resolutely and clearing their lines, but the ball kept coming back again as they lost possession.

Following a torrid opening 30 minutes we came into the game and Cunnington hit the post after great work by Youngs. This galvanised us and Percy Kiangebeni found space after a trademark strong run and his shot was turned wide for a corner by Tim Roberts.

Half Time 0-0

The second half saw a change in personnel and formation by the management team as Jerry Gyebi was replaced by Ryan Kirwan and Town went to three  at the back with  Percy and Ryan  providing more width.

The effect of this was to nullify Folkestone as an attacking unit with the Towners looking the more likely side.

After a busy first half, Nathan McDonald had far less work to do and on 74 minutes Mo tried to find a small gap  between the post and opposing keeper’s legs and saw the ball almost squirm in.

Mani Maja was cautioned after giving away a free kick on 86 minutes in a dangerous area but luckily for Town, Callum Davies’ header was gratefully received by Nathan.

There was still time for Mo to see his stoppage-time effort saved and for Percy’s follow-up to be blocked in a goalmouth scramble.

“I am delighted with a point,” said Andy. “We made changes at halftime to match what Folkestone were doing and prevented them from creating too many second-half chances.”

That’s seven points from three games now. Roll on Cheshunt on Monday, kick off 3pm.

Towners Line-up:

McDonald, Urquhart, Smith, Thomas, Gyebi (Kirwan, 46) , Bray, Kiengebeni, Youngs (Taafe, 74), Cunnington (78), Faal, Maja.

Subs not used: Nzembela, Chappell.

Enfield Town have been drawn at home to Dereham Town of the Isthmian North Division. 

Dereham play in Step 4 and we will be hoping for a decent turn-out on Sept 4 to help us progress to the following round

Meantime, we will be running a coach to the Folkestone game on Saturday.

Depart QEII Stadium 10:30AM

Cost : £16

To book call Les Gold on 07979727563 or email lesgold@enfieldtownfootballclub.co.uk 

If your making your own way by road or rail the club address is Cheriton Road, Folkestone, CT19 5JU. 

If you are going by train you have the option of going from Kings Cross International or Victoria. 

Folkestone, like Town, are one of only 4 teams with maximum points. This promises to be the toughest test for us so far so the more of you who can get to the Kent coast, the better.  

On Bank Holiday Monday we entertain Cheshunt at home in the  A10 El Classico, kickoff at 3pm

Advance tickets are available here:

https://shop.etfc.london/events

There is a great friendly rivalry between our two clubs.  Cheshunt have made a good start to the season with a 3-0 win against East Thurrock and a creditable 2-2 draw at Lewes.

Match Report by Andrew Warshaw

We are only two games in and it’s early days. But momentum means everything and our 2-0 win over Brightlingsea Regent on Saturday  put us top of the division on goal difference and augurs well as we head into a busy Bank Holiday weekend.

With Andy Leese away on other business, Mario and Ian Hart took charge of the team on the day and the players didn’t disappoint.

Our visitors started brightly, if you’ll excuse the pun, but the confidence from our opening-day win at Carshalton soon  shone through and we ran out worthy winners. In fact we would have won by more but for some excellent second-half goalkeeping from Regent’s Charlie Turner.

The best early chance fell to Brightlingsea when Jake Clowsley’s angled drive was pushed away for a corner by Nathan McDonald. In fact the first 15 minutes were even but we soon got into our stride despite two handball appeals by the visitors, both of which were waved away.

Mo Faal twice stung the hands of Turner before Rian Bray, up for a freekick after Mo was foul, was narrowly off target.  Another freekick, awarded  after Percy Kiangebeni was brought down after a mazy run, saw Andre Coker shoot over.

Just like at Carshalton, Percy (pictured) was arguably our most influential player on the day and it was his goal that put us in front with halftime approaching, albeit with considerable help from the otherwise superb Turner.  More excellent link-up play between Percy and Andre Coker ended with the former’s shot squirming into the net following an unfortunate fumble by Turner much to the delight of the Towners’ faithful behind the goal.

Halftime:  Enfield Town 1 Brightlingsea Regent 0

Just like in the first half, the visitors began positively after the break and should have levelled when Ken Feyi was off target with a free header.

But when he went off injured, his team’s main attacking threat went with him.

By then, however, Town would have been out of sight but for a series of tremendous saves by the quick-thinking Turner.

First he somehow kept out  Josh Urquhart’s powerful volley,  then made two flying stops from the ever-dangerous Faal who on another day might well have had a hattrick.  Another reflex save, this time keeping out Kiangebeni’s low shot that was heading for the corner, kept his team in the game.

Only in a tense final few minutes were we forced on the back foot as Brightlingsea  chanced their luck. But we deservedly held our nerve  and in stoppage time substitute Ebrima Sawaneh, with virtually his first touch, made the game safe as his half-hit, bouncing shot nestled  in the corner after fine work by another sub, Sam Youngs.

Altogether a thoroughly pleasing display as we head into two eagerly awaited fixtures,  at in-form Folkestone on Saturday and the Bank Holiday Monday derby at home to Cheshunt.

Teams:

Enfield Town:

McDonald, Urquhart, Smith, Thomas, Gyebi, Bray, Kiangebeni, Taafe (Sawaneh, 92) , Maja, Faal (Walsh, 90), Coker (Youngs, 67).

Subs not used: Nzmbela, Kirwan

Bookings: Taafe

Brightsinglea:

Turner, Walter-Smith, Wales, Durling, Bennett (Bradford, 80) , Thompson, Gouldbourne, McDonald, Feyi (Byrne-Hewitt, 57) , Booth (Ager, 80), Clowsley.

Attendance: 394

We are delighted to announce an extremely exciting new sponsorship deal with WWE for the 2021-22 season!

For decades, WWE has been the byword for professional wrestling entertainment worldwide, and its United Kingdom-based arm, NXT UK, has gone from strength to strength since its launch. With WWE’s British Performance Center opening locally in 2019, it established Enfield as a base for wrestling entertainment in the UK.

Our match shirts for the 21-22 season will officially bear the NXT UK® crest, starting with our first home league match of the season against Brightlingsea Regent this Saturday, 21st August 2021.

Shirts are on sale here: https://shop.etfc.london/product/special-edition-20th-anniversary-commemorative-shirt-adults

LONDON, UK & STAMFORD, CT, USA – August 19, 2021 – WWE (NYSE: WWE) and Enfield Town Football Club today announced a one-year agreement that will see a first-of-its-kind partnership spanning the 2021/22 football season in the UK. 

Enfield Town Football Club, known to supporters of The Pitching In Isthmian Football League Premier Division as ‘The Towners’, will officially don the NXT UK® crest on their matchday shirts, starting with their first league home fixture against Brightlingsea Regent on Saturday, August 21, 2021. Enfield Town Football Club’s radical reputation within the football landscape was forged when in 2001 they became the first supporter-owned football club in the country – a move then widely adopted across the UK.

The 2021/22 Enfield Town Football Club 20^TH Anniversary Home shirts were first revealed online by EVP, Global Talent Strategy & Development, Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque, in a video which can be seen here. 

“The launch of WWE’s UK Performance Center in 2019 saw the roots of NXT UK firmly grounded in Enfield and through this partnership we are thrilled to continue supporting the Enfield community,” said Michael Levin, WWE Vice President, International. “Enfield Town FC and WWE share an intrinsic value of putting fans at the heart of everything we do, a vision of supporting the next generation of talent in sport and entertainment, and a goal of putting smiles on the faces of our fans.”

Paul Reed, Chairman at Enfield Town Football Club, said: “For a fan-owned club committed to delivering a sense of community and entertainment to the local area, to have a partner with the magnitude and ethos of WWE is truly special. Our vision is one of inclusivity and equality for all and to be a social centre for Enfield, and we welcome NXT UK as part of the family in our 20^thAnniversary year.”  

The NXT UK crest will appear on both the First Team’s Home shirts and the Women’s Reserve Team Home shirts, a fitting way to mark Enfield Town Football Club’s 20^th Anniversary this year.NXT UK will also be visible in branding around the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium, various digital club properties, and in community events planned to take place throughout the season.

NXT UK showcases the brightest stars of WWE’s United Kingdom division including WALTER, Ilja Dragunov, Meiko Satomura, Trent Seven, and the youngest singles champion in WWE history, Tyler Bate. NXT UK also launched the WWE careers of former Raw Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley, SmackDown’s Toni Storm, plus NXT’s Pete Dunne and tag team Grizzled Young Veterans.

Weekly episodes of NXT UK air every Thursday at 8pm BST on WWE Network, repeated Friday at 10pm BST on BT Sport.

SummerSlam airs live from Las Vegas this Saturday, August 21, on WWE Network.

We are delighted to announce three more signings, two of whom took part in our 4-2 win over Carshalton on Saturday.

 Nathan Smith (formerly of Braintree)  is a Jamaican international with two caps to his name. Nathan can play either at leftback or centreback,  brings plenty of league experience from his time at Yeovil  and Chesterfield and showed his qualities when he came on as a sub against the Robins.

Andre Coker, who started for us on Saturday and can play anywhere along the forward line, joins from Kingstonian.

Andre was the player described as ‘Triallist A’ when he scored the only goal in our pre-season game at Chesham and has now been added to playing staff by the management team.

Tall forward Matt Walsh is the third player to join us.

 Welcome all three…

What a result! After a difficult and often frustrating pre-season, we got off to the best possible start when the new league season kicked off on Saturday with a terrific 4-2 win at Carshalton Athletic, writes Andrew Warshaw.   Despite a wobbly first half when we were outplayed, Andy Leese’s team showed commendable spirit with three second-half goals, two of them from the returning Mo Faal to follow up his hattrick in the final warm-up game against Grays.   We could not have asked for a better  start as Carshalton conceded after just 28 seconds, which surely had to be the quickest Step 3 goal of the day.   Rian Bray’s hopeful punt upfield caused total confusion and Robins’ fullback Bobby Price headed over advancing keeper Tyler McCarthy for the most farcical of own goals.   But we were soon brought down to earth by the hosts whose dangerous crosses from both flanks caused us constant problems and who turned things around by halftime.   On 22 minutes, one of our old favourites, Harry Ottaway, who spent four seasons with us, was allowed a free header which he buried in trademark style. We all know what Harry can do and he made us pay for a lack of concentration. On the stroke of halftime, Carshalton went in front when Luke Read lost his marker to head home a freekick, awarded for a foul by Emanuel Maja-Awesu.   In truth, Carshalton could have been out of sight by then but the way we regrouped, no doubt after some halftime words were spoken, showed fantastic character as we took the game to the opposition instead of backing off.   If our own defending in the first half was bad, Carshalton’s was catastrophic after the break and we took full advantage, spurred on by the indefatigable Scott Thomas and the equally excellent Percy Kiangebeni.   And cometh the hour – 50 minutes in fact — cometh the man as Mo pounced on a defender’s misplaced header to pull us level at 2-2.   As we upped the tempo, the goal of the game came right on the hour when a 25-yard screamer from Lewis Taafe put us back in front.   Four minutes later Mo was in the right place again, seizing on a calamitous collision between the Carshalton keeper and one of his defenders to make a topsy-turvy game safe.   Carshalton still had their moments, one of which resulted in a superb save by Nathan McDonald. Thankfully, a late flurry of Robins’  freekicks and corners came to nothing as we grew in confidence at the back and were determined not to give any more ground.   In a highly competitive encounter, seven players were booked – four from Enfield (including goalscorers Faal and Taafe) and three from Carshalton. We also saw the first appearances since officially registering for us from Andre Coker and substitute Nathan Smith. The main concern from an Enfield standpoint was when Josh Urquhart had to be helped off the pitch, forcing the management team to re-organise. We wish Josh well as we await news of his recovery ahead of next Saturday’s opening home fixture against Brightlingsea Regent.   Attendance: 385   Town: McDonald, Urquhart (Youngs), Guebi, Bray, Kirwan (Smith, 55) , Thomas (Sawaneh), Kiangebeni, Maja-Awesu, Taafe, Faal, Coker.

Andy Leese has expressed his excitement at having re-signed Mo Faal, one of a string of players who in the last few days have committed themselves to the club ahead of the big kick-off on Saturday, writes Andrew Warshaw.

Goalkeeper Adi Connolly, defenders Ryan Kirwan and Josh Urquhart and forwards Larry Asare and Ebrima Sawaneh have also signed on the dotted line.

These are in addition to Nathan McDonald, Rian Bray, Lee Chappell, Jerry Gyebi, Harold Joseph,  Manny Maja, Sam Youngs, Percy Kiangebeni,  Scott Thomas, Lewis Taffe, Adam Cunnington and Neville Nzembela. 

Charley O’Keefe, having originally agreed to join us, has now signed for Welling United instead.

“Mo has committed to us until Christmas and I’m absolutely delighted,” said Andy.

“It became evident over the last couple of weeks that Billy Bricknell would not be able to commit to us for a few weeks yet, and with Adam Cunnington injured we had to look again at our forward options.”

“Mo and I have always kept in touch since he moved away and I asked him to train when I knew he was back home. Things moved quickly and Mo needed to play football having not had many opportunities in the last few months. Signing Mo again has certainly lifted the dressing room and I hope it does the same for the fans.”

“I am sure Mo and Adam will form an exciting partnership in Bill’s absence. Adam could be fit for next weekend. The squad is almost there. It’s been a tough pre-season in many ways, the strangest I have known in my 24 years of management and coaching.”

Following the departure of  O’Keefe, who played a couple of pre-season games for the Town, Andy was quick to bring in Kirwan. “He’s a young versatile player who has played lower-league football but has impressed us with his performances in the last few games.”

COYT!

Mo Faal turned back the clock with a superb hat-trick  as we picked up the FSA Supporters’ Shield, awarded annually to fan-owned clubs in a one-off fixture, with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Step 4 Grays Athletic on Saturday, writes Andrew Warshaw.

One level above our opponents, we were good value for the win as we warmed up for the new season with a second straight clean sheet.

The game marked both teams’ final pre-season workout, with the Town  travelling to Carshalton on Saturday and Grays hosting Bury Town.

Following stints at Bolton and Barnet, Mo looked like his old self as he relished putting on an Enfield shirt again, having been a cult hero during his earlier spell with us.

Whilst his first goal on 13 minutes was unspectacular , taking advantage of a low cross that was pushed into his path by the Grays keeper, his second was a classic finish,  rifling the ball home from Gambian international Ebrimah Sawani’s sweet pass six minutes after the break.

In between, Percy Kiangebeni almost got on the scoresheet with a mazy run down the right and a fierce shot that was palmed away for a corner.

Grays had a couple of half-chances but in the main, Nathan McDonald was largely untroubled and on 56 minutes Mo made the game safe with another well-taken goal, bursting down the left before shooting low and hard into the corner, a welcome sight for Towners fans so close to the start of the 2021-22 campaign.

After the game, part of our 20^th anniversary celebrations, the trophy was presented on the pitch by the FSA’s Richard Irving before a party was held in the marquee to the sounds of 80s’ cover band Bazooka Joe, who we thank wholeheartedly for their time

Here’s how we lined up:

McDonald; Urquhart, Gyebi, Bray, Kirwan; Thomas, Sawani, Maja, Kiangebemi, Taaffe; Faal

Subs:

Joseph, Walsh, Nzembela, Asare

Attendance: 214

After a difficult few weeks, we finally tasted pre-season success on Tuesday night with a hard-fought and well deserved 1-0 victory at fellow Step 3 side Chesham United which is sure to boost confidence ahead of the new league campaign.

Andy Leese will have been especially pleased with a clean sheet against his former club following the crushing 7-1 defeat to Hayes and Yeading last Saturday – and with the individual performances of several players.

Town started with a different formation and kept their shape in an opening session that brought little threat to their own goal.

 Looking to catch Chesham on the break they almost succeeded after 11 minutes when Sam Youngs slipped a ball through to Mo Faal whose shot from an angle was saved by the feet of the Chesham  keeper.

Ryan Kirwan hit a powerful drive just wide as Town enjoyed large chunks of possession though Youngs had to be replaced by Lewis Taafe on 38 minutes with what looked like sore ribs. One can only hope it is a short-term setback.

Just before halftime Towners took the lead when another mazy run from Triallist A saw him turn the Chesham defence inside out and finish well from an angle with a low shot into the far corner.

H-T 1-0

No changes to start the second and Town carried on where they left off with a good run from Josh Urquhart down the right,  slipping a ball through to Faal whose first-time did not have enough pace and was cleared on the line.

Faal had another half-chance before Chesham upped the tempo and enjoyed  a period of sustained pressure. Thankfully all their crosses and corners were either saved by  Nathan McDonald or cleared by his defenders which was a welcome sight for the management team.

Harold Joseph replaced Rian Bray on 53 minutes and 15 minutes later Junior Mubiaiyi came on for  Josh Urquhart and Ebrimah Sawaneh for Scott Thomas. Neville Nzembela replaced Triallist A after 70 minutes.

There was still time for Faal to tuck a shot wide of the post before he too was replaced towards the end of a morale-boosting and encouraging display.

Line up:

1. Nathan McDonald
2. Josh Urquhart (Junior Mubaiyi)
3. Ryan Kirwan
4. Scott Thomas (Ebrimah Sawaneh)
5. Rian Bray (Harold Joseph)
6. Jerry Gyebi
7. Percy Kiangebeni
8. Sam Youngs (Lewis Taaffe)
9. Mo Faal (Larry Asari)
10. Manny Maja

Triallist A (Neville