We have been drawn away at Eastleigh, two divisions higher, in the third round of the FA Trophy – a huge task but one the players and management team will relish.

Eastleigh, close to Southampton, are currently mid-table in the National League having lost just once at home and will be massive favourites to advance.

They have won their last two league games, including against Notts County, and have the luxury of just one scheduled fixture to get everyone fit between now and meeting us on Dec 18.

But the fact that Folkestone took them to a replay in the FA Cup, and then only lost in extra time, is proof it it were ever needed that cup-ties can be great levellers.

Many of us remember how close we took Maidstone in the FA Cup a few years ago and this is another chance to pit our wits against full-time players and try to cause an upset.

Gate money on the day is shared and with the excitement already mounting travel details will be announced shortly.

Hanwell Town 0 Enfield Town 2

Report by Andrew Warshaw

A brace from Mo Faal sent us into the third round of the FA Trophy on Saturday on an afternoon when controlled football was rendered extremely difficult by the blustery conditions.

Having said that, the pitch was a credit to our Step 4 opponents who in the first half gave as good as they got despite the absence of three cup-tied players but didn’t pose much of a threat after the break as our superior composure and game management won the day.

With Manny Maja back in the side following a one-match ban, it was a toss-up whether Sam Youngs would retain his place in the side after his winner again Hornchurch in midweek or whether the on-loan Kurtis Cumberbatch would be selected again.

Sam got the nod and went on to put in a man of the match performance that said everything about the team ethic and competition for places.

Just two minutes were on the clock when Mo had the ball in the net, only to be ruled narrowly and controversially offside.

Hanwell responded by carving out two glorious chances to take the lead, first when right wingback Dan Carr, their most effective player on the day, brought a superb save from Nathan McDonald, only for Ogo Obi to head the rebound against the bar when it was easier to score.

We had another let-off courtesy a bad mistake from  Jerry Gyebi whose underhit square pass let in Tom Siemienczuk who delayed his shot and allowed Nathan to smother.

That was effectively that as far as Hanwell’s threat was concerned as we began to take control.

Mo soon had the ball in the net again, only for the flag to be raised once more, this time with more justification.

But it was a case of third time lucky on 43 minutes as he beat the offside by running on to Lyle Della-Verde’s long ball and burying his shot in the corner.

H-T 0-1

Now it was a question of trying to make the game safe as we upped the ante and were quicker to the ball.

Andre Coker and Della-Verde both went close while Youngs continually wrested possession from the opposition to set up attacks and Harold Joseph put in another masterly performance at the back.

When they did have a chance to hurt us, Hanwell invariably rushed their efforts or chose the wrong option.

The second goal in a game of few clearcut chances finally came on 80 minutes, just after we had changed formation, and was noisily greeted by Town’s travelling following who made up the majority of the 336 crowd.

Substitute Adam Cunnington, who moments earlier was able to play on despite a nasty gash down his leg, fed Mo and the ball squirmed into the net via the Hanwell keeper’s fumble, making sure that we didn’t become their second Isthmian Premier League scalp

“It was a fantastic performance against a good Hanwell side,” said Andy Leese. “Conditions were difficult but we navigated them well and I felt we largely controlled the game and restricted them to few chances.”

“Mo showed his match-winning qualities again, scoring at good times for us to get ourselves in the next round. We had great travelling support again where thermals were the order of the day. We could hear the singing from inside the dressing room.”

Now we await the third-round draw at lunchtime Monday with the mouth-watering prospect of playing one of non league football’s big boys in what is our longest run in the tournament.  

Town:

McDonald; Chappell, Gyebi, Joseph, Kirwan; Maja (Cook, 91), Youngs, Della-Verde (Smith), Kiangebeni; Coker (Cunnington, 67), Faal.

Their playing surface is reported to be excellent but will the anticipated blustery conditions play a part?

Saturday’s FA Trophy second round fixture at Hanwell Town promises to be an eagerly awaited showdown with both teams keen to advance and a possible meeting with one of the National League big boys.

Hanwell may currently be 6th in the Isthmian South Central Division but are widely viewed as considerably better than their Step 4 status, are challenging strongly for promotion and will not be taken lightly.

 Their last five results were:

Chichester City Away 0-0 Lost 3-1 on Penalties, Velocity Trophy First Round

Chertsey Town Home Lost 0-1 League

Binfield Away Won 5-1 League

Wingate & Finchley Won 1-0 FA Trophy First Round

Hendon Away Won 2-1 Middlesex Senior Cup Second Round

No replays in the Trophy this year so if the scores are level after 90 minutes the tie will go straight to penalties.

Earlier this season Hanwell were involved in an amazing League game with Staines Town. Hanwell were 4-0 down after 17 minutes but pulled it back to 4-4 by half time and eventually won 6-5.

More crucial prize money is at stake as well as a place in the 3^rd round – unfamiliar territory for both us and Hanwell – and we hope our usual healthy away following will once again spur us on to victory.

Enfield Town 2 Hornchurch 1

Report from Andrew Warshaw

There’s an old saying in football that successful teams pick up crucial wins when not at their best.

That was epitomised on Tuesday night when we edged out Hornchurch in an often spicy affair to cement second place and climb to within two points of  Worthing at the top of the table.

For periods of the game, especially the first 20 minutes of the second half, the visitors – FA Trophy winners just six months ago — looked the more skillful side, particularly in midfield, and will no doubt feel hard done by.

But once again our never-say-die spirit, self-belief and character shone through, allied to canny tactics from the management team.  Nathan McDonald once again hardly had a save to make with most of Hornchurch’s efforts wide of the mark though in truth they did hit the woodwork twice.

Former Towner Joe Wright was definitely the busier keeper on the night,  however, starting in the very first minute when he clawed away a bouncing shot from Curtis Kumberbatch.

Hornchurch came within a whisker of taking the lead when Chidubem Onokwai rifled a 30-yard piledriver against the bar.

But on 17 minutes we were in front from the penalty spot. Ollie Muldoon wrestled Percy Kiangebeni to the ground at a corner and the referee had no doubt. Wright has a reputation as a great penalty saver but not this time as Mo Faal sent him the wrong way.

It was very nearly 1-1 when Onokwai’s turn and shot was narrowly off target but we went in a goal to the good at the interval.

H-T 1-0

We hardly had had time to catch our breath than Hornchurch caught us cold at the start of the second half, a delicious cross from Jili Buyabu taking out the entire defence for Onokwai to supply the finish.

On the hour mark, Liam Nash saw his shot come back off a post into the grateful arms of Nathan but we were giving as good as we got, if not more so, with Ryan Kirwan and, twice, Mo going close to restoring our lead. We even had the ball in the net again, only for the referee to spot an infringement no-one else seemed to have noticed.

Such is the rivalry between the sides that two mass brawls had to be broken up while the bookings came thick and fast — four for Town and three for Hornchurch — though former Towner Mickey Parcell  was lucky not to be shown a straight red for a reckless challenge on Kirwan.

As the game moved into the final quarter, the management team made a double substitution, switched formation  and it had the desired effect. On 82 minutes, Andre Coker swung in a corner and Sam Youngs ghosted in Martin Peters-like at the near post with a superb match-winning header.

And it would have been 3-1 but for another smart save from Wright who thwarted a 3-v-1 move in stoppage time.

“Another resilient performance from us, especially in the second half,” said Andy Leese. “They are a difficult team to play against and we rode our luck on a couple of occasions.”

“We responded by changing our shape and it gave us the edge.  We have that adaptability this year to make changes in a game that can really alter how we play.  I’m pleased for Sam to score the winner. Now we focus on the FA Trophy game at Hanwell on Saturday, another test to see far we can go in a competition we really enjoy.”

Town:

McDonald, Muleba, Kirwan (Chappell, 79), Gyebi, Joseph, Kiangebeni, Cumberbatch (Cunnington 64), Coker, Faal, Della-Verde (Smith 64), Youngs

For anyone who failed to acquire the special-edition programme at last Saturday’s game against Merstham celebrating the 10^th anniversary of our move to QEII, you can now read here the interviews conducted with five Enfield Town favourites.

Mark Kirby, skipper on the day we played Spurs in 2011, tells Andrew Warshaw what it meant to wear the captain’s arm band.

Of all the honours and accolades Mark Kirby (aka “Kirbs”)  picked up in his three stints with Enfield Town, there is one that will for ever stick in his mind.

Captaining us in the official opening of QE11 against Tottenham Hotspur is an occasion that has a special place in the heart of one of the club’s much-loved iconic figures.

The ground had fallen into disrepair until the local council and club joined forces in 2008 – and the rest is history.

“The build-up to the game was just like how I imagined a professional set-up would be,” Kirbs (pictured) recalls. “Photographers coming down to training, interviews with local newspapers – the overall hype of it was incredible.”

“Those games are ones that you always remember. I’ve been lucky enough to play in a few big ones. It may not have been a competitive game but it meant so much to so many. As the years have gone by, I’ve thought about it more and more. Like any midweek game, we’d all gone to work during the day. As soon as you arrived at the ground that evening, the atmosphere was intoxicating.”

Kirbs was also skipper at the unofficial opening of the ground a few days earlier when we beat  Harefield United 2-1 in the Middlesex Senior Cup.

“We didn’t really know how to treat the game,” Kirbs, who had joined us from Hendon in 2009,  recalls. “We all knew at the back of our minds that it wasn’t the grand opening.  The game against Spurs  was a real celebration of the hard work and the long hours everyone  put in making it possible. Everyone was buzzing. Having momentous games like that are few and far between when you are a player. You can go through your whole career and not have a moment like that.”

“We were not sure who Spurs were going to bring. Andros Townsend was in the starting line-up. I still have a photo of me and him which makes me look like I’ve just got the better of him.  Every now and then I send it to my mates to let them know I played against him!”

The much-travelled Kirbs, who is now at Chesham, said he kept coming back to Enfield Town because of its reputation as a family club.

“I tried to  give back to the fans what they meant to the players. From the very beginning I tried to have my own connection with them.

“Having so many volunteers does touch a chord with the players. It’s different from having a money man running affairs. The people who come to watch are effectively the owners. Obviously being captain, I relayed this message to all the players coming in. It’s not just a club where you come to pick up a match-day fee.”

He has no intention of ending his love affair with the club. Far from it. “When I’ve finished playing I’d love to come back again as part of a coaching setup once I’ve done my badges.  One day I’m going to manage Enfield Town. That’s my dream.”

Enfield legend Liam Hope shares his special memories with Andrew Warshaw

Few players have fonder memories of that special day 10 years ago when we moved into QEII than our record goalscorer, Liam Hope.

Chants of “Liam Hope, Hope, Hope” accompanied Liam throughout his Towners career and he will never forget scoring one of the two goals that beat a Spurs selection on that emotional afternoon in front of almost 1,000 fans.

“It was a fantastic occasion,” recalls Liam. “The move  was a long time coming. We had had the agreement to move in for some time and having trained there once or twice made it all the more exciting when it finally happened.”

“I remember at the time we were on a really good run in the league and there was a generally a nice feelgood factor around the place. Playing at Brimsdown just didn’t have the soul of QEII which instantly changed as did the number of fans turning up.

“There was a bit of concern about the athletics track but one of the best things they did was to put stands behind the goal which makes a huge difference. Having supporters behind the goal is much better if you  compare it to somewhere like Hornchurch.”

“From a personal standpoint I was actually working for Spurs at the time in their Foundation department so it was even more memorable. I remember the next day seeing my goal on Sky Sports News which was quite surreal.”

Liam, currently at Ware, took the opportunity to put the record straight over his goalscoring exploits during the seven seasons he was with us. The stats show he scored 108 goals but in fact he netted 10 more.

“It’s actually 118 because when I came back to the club I scored another 10. I’m immensely proud of the record. Probably it will be beaten at some point because the club has moved on to bigger and better things since I was there.”

Not surprisingly Enfield Town’s results are still the first Liam looks for. “I’ve said it before, I class myself as a supporter now. The fans were always really good to me.”

“I’m still good mates with a number of the players like Nathan McDonald and Lee Chappell. And of course I’ve huge respect for Andy and Mario.

“Everyone who plays for Enfield recognises very quickly what a special club it is. I’ve always said it’s a club with class. If you don’t recognise that, you soon do when you move away.”

Enfield Town’s life president Roger Reed, who was vice-chairman of the club at the time we moved into QEII, was instrumental in getting the 99-year tenancy deal over the line, writes Andrew Warshaw.

After a long Post Office career, Roger worked for the FA and part of his duties revolved around funding facility developments. “When we got the opportunity to move into the stadium, I was well-placed to know exactly how to present our case with the football authorities,” explained Roger, father of our current chairman Paul Reed.

“It wasn’t just me. I worked in partnership with Keith Wortley who was a structural engineer and knew the language of the builders and contractors. We had to compete with other bidding groups to be the anchor tenant. The stadium was derelict, even though it was a listed building, and had to be totally revamped. But we were dying on our feet having to play at Brimsdown.

“I’d put together a brochure which demonstrated what we would do to develop the sport in the borough and I’d like to think we’ve more than delivered on that.”

The first game in the new stadium was actually against Harefield United in the Middlesex Senior Cup rather than Tottenham Hotspur but Roger recalled: “We didn’t want to make too much of it as we didn’t want too many people there since we didn’t know how the ground would work.

“The one that really sticks in my mind was the official opening against a Spurs selection when we had the best part of 1,000 people there. It was a wonderful atmosphere and we won 2-1. The legacy now is that we have established ourselves as one of the leading non-league teams at step three [of non-league football] and we have a permanent home for the next 89 years.”

Andrew Warshaw talks to former manager Steve Newing about arguably the most memorable season in the club’s history.

You could argue that without Steve Newing and his management team a decade ago, we might never have got to where we are now at Step Three level.

Back in May, 2012, a few months after we had moved into QE11, we capped a hugely successful campaign under Steve’s tenure by gaining promotion to the Ryman Premier Division – where we have remained ever since in whatever guise.

The Towners were forced into the play-offs after Leiston finished a point above us to be crowned Division One North champions but two victories in the space of four days saw Newing’s men over the finish line.

Penalty shootout success over Grays Athletic in the semifinals was followed by a 1-0 win over Needham Market in the final, propelling the club to its highest level since we were formed 11 years previously.

It was the highlight of Steve’s time with us and he looks back on it fondly.

“We’d got to the playoff final two seasons previously against all the odds. Although we lost 3-1 to Concord Rangers, we should have had a penalty and might well have got through. The reason I’m mentioning this is that in all honesty the club wasn’t really ready to go up at that point. We were still at Brimsdown and we’d have struggled.”

Two years later, it was all so very different.

“I think it was meant to be that we would get promoted the year we moved to QE.  That’s what I will always remember.  The first seven home games had to be at Cheshunt but once we got to QE it was such a great feeling. And of course we had home advantage for the playoffs having finished second.”

“There are obviously restrictions in terms of certain parts of the building  being listed  but it was such a special time – moving to somewhere we could call home.”

Steve’s only regret is that Del Deanus, who worked with him at Edgware Town and who was joint manager when both first came to Enfield, was not there to see the club’s big day, his life having been tragically cut short by motor neurone disease. “Del was an integral part of forming the backbone of the club and would have been so proud,” says Steve.

He, too, is proud of what he achieved in his four and half seasons with us and the legacy he left behind. “The first season was all about overhauling the squad and putting the building blocks in place. By the time we moved into the QE, we were a force to be reckoned with.”

Steve, a season ticket holder at Boreham Wood, still has a soft spot for the Towners especially kit man Neil Butterfield.

“I’ve got a lot a friends at the club and would love to see Enfield go up. It would be very fitting 10 years on. I want to make a special mention for Neil who did a hell of a lot for us in the changing room in the year we got promoted. He made our job so much easier.”

There aren’t too many former players who can attest to having been a fans favourite at both the old Enfield FC and at Enfield Town. Bryan Hammatt is certainly of them having played both at Southbury Road and at QEII, playing into his 40s before hanging up his boots.

Bryan would have liked nothing more than to be here today for our special club day, sharing memories of his time with us and the friends he made as a Town legend .

Altogether Bryan made 198 competitive appearances for Town, scoring 57 goals in the process including four hattricks. He also played for 11 other clubs in an illustrious career under no fewer than 13 different managers.

Bryan made his Town debut on Aug 13, 2005, left three years later and returned for a second spell in Feb 2011 – nine months before we moved into QE11 – finally leaving in Oct, 2013.

Few families have such an affinity with the club as the Hammatts, Bryan’s father Peter having been club coach under Jim Chandler whilst Bryan’s mother, sister and brother in law were all huge Towners fans.

Bryan still rates getting promoted with Enfield Town as one of the biggest achievements of his career and explained why he couldn’t resist returning to the club for a second spell at an age when most players had long moved on.

“Steve Newing who had been a friend of mine for many years,” Bryan explained. “I’d always been really fit and lucky with injuries. Steve needed an experienced older head and it was like coming home.”

There was even a short period when he and his dad were joint caretaker managers just after Steve Newing left the club.

Management was never really an ambition but Bryan will always be remembered for his seven years in a Towners shirt, not finishing up until the age of 41. “Special club, special place, special people,” he said. “I hope everyone has a wonderful day on Saturday.”

Andrew Warshaw

Enfield Town 3 Merstham 1

Report by Andrew Warshaw

 What an afternoon – on and off the pitch.

In front of a bumper 600-plus crowd to mark the 10^th anniversary since we moved into QE, the players did us proud with a stirring second-half fightback while it was an unforgettable day all round, featuring a huge pre-match photoshoot involving all our teams followed by our youngsters taking over the match-day activities.

Not only did we maintain our unbeaten home league record to stay second in the league but also closed the gap on leaders Worthing, turning on the style in the after the break to make up for the last-gasp midweek defeat at Bishops Stortford.

Sam Youngs was back from vacation but new signing Kurtis Cumberbatch got the nod in midfield in an otherwise unchanged side.

It didn’t start too well as Merstham’s Korrey Henry netted from the penalty spot after 11 minutes, awarded after Ryan Kirwan barged over Chace Jacquart.

In truth the visitors looked the more composed outfit early doors but we soon started to test them, with Andre Coker narrowly off target and Mo Faal seeing his shot saved  by legs of Toby Bull.

Mo had a quiet first half by his own high standards with James Richmond gobbling up almost everything at the back for the Moatsiders. In fact we found it hard to find the spaces in what was a generally unspectacular opening period

H-T 0-1

Cue the second half, cue a totally dominant performance as we came out with all guns blazing to turn the game around with Nathan McDonald a virtual spectator in goal.

Special mention has to go to Percy Kiangebeni who put in what can only be described as the complete box-to-box midfield display from first minute to last.

We were rewarded on 58 minutes when another penalty  was awarded, albeit somewhat dubiously, when Percy was adjudged to have been fouled just inside the touchline after a trademark driving run into the danger zone. Mo did the rest from the spot to level.

Chance after Towners chance then went begging until, on 70 minutes, Toby Bull pushed Percy’s fierce drive into the path of Mo, who drove home the rebound for his and our second.

Now it was question of making the game safe and Coker should have done just that, only to screw his shot wide with the goal at his mercy.

In the dying moments, however, he atoned for his glaring miss as he made the points safe with a neat finish after being put through by Mo who showed great persistence  in taking advantage of a bad mistake in the visitors’ defence.

The scenes of jubilation at the final whistle among both players and supporters rounded off a wonderful family-friendly afternoon.

The games come thick and fast. Hornchurch next on Tuesday which should be a spicy affair and then the FA Trophy 2nd round on Saturday at Hanwell.

Town: McDonald, Muleba, Joseph, Gyebi, Kirwan (Chappell 85); Cumberbatch (Cunnington 63), Maja, Kiangebeni, Della-Verde (Smith, 80) ; Coker, Faal.

We are pleased to announce we have  signed 26-year-old midfielder Kurtis Cumberbatch on a dual registration basis with Billericay.

He is available for selection tomorrow and for the FA trophy next week. Welcome Kurtis.

“With Scott Thomas still a few games away from returning, it’s an area of the pitch we felt we needed to strengthen,” said manager Andy Leese. “Thanks to Billericay for helping to make this happen.”

“Kurtis is a National League player and will give us another dimension.”

As most of you know, tomorrow represents a special date in the history of our club as we attempt to get back to winning ways against Merstham.

We have now been at the QEII Stadium for 10 years and to mark the occasion, Saturday will be a “Whole Club Day” illustrating how we have grown and how the stadium has become a hub for football in Enfield.

This will involve our youth section and women’s and girls teams carrying out of number of matchday roles, taking over under supervision from those who normally carry out such duties.

They will also be collecting for two charities:  an autism unit in Enfield for purchase of sensory equipment and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

We are producing a larger than usual programme including how we came to be at the QEII in the first place as well as unique interviews with former Towners legends Steve Newing, Liam Hope, Mark Kirby and Bryan Hammatt.  You can pick up a copy from sellers in the ground or at the club shop.

For this senior fixture alone, there is free admission for U18s. ID may be required. Otherwise normal admission prices apply.

With a large photoshoot planned, we expect to have anything between 100-200 youth and parents (200-300) people in the ground by 1.15pm before the mainstream supporters arrive.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Development are arriving before the game to organise an exercise walk at 12.30 PM outside our QE11 stadium. If you are interested in taking part fill in the form on the link below or turn up and fill it in when you arrive. Alternatively contact Christine Hamilton on 07949071587 .

https://www.tfaforms.com/4878541?tfa_264=a218d000000LGw0

COYT!

Bishops Stortford 2 Enfield Town 1

Report by Martin Bentley

The battle between two teams with month-long unbeaten league runs unfortunately ended in defeat for Enfield Town on Tuesday as a  last-gasp 96^th minute Johnville Renee winner saw the home side take all three points.

It was a hugely disappointing way for Town’s record to end, particularly after we had fought back to equalise in the 87^th minute.

Further bad news came our way as both Worthing and Folkestone won their games, although we remain in second place by the narrowest of goal difference margins. Manny Maja, meanwhile, will be ruled out of the Hornchurch game through suspension having picked up his fifth caution of the season.

An unchanged Town team began brightly, with Lyle Della Verde prominent on the right wing. His clever free kick after eight minutes was well saved by Jack Giddens in the home goal with Mo Faal unable to convert the rebound.

Two minutes later Della Verde’s low cross fizzed across the goalmouth about a foot out of Lewis Taaffe’s reach. The home side, in the meantime, were buzzing around purposefully in midfield without causing Nathan McDonald too many hair-raising moments, although Ryan Charles did hit the outside of the post from a deep cross from the right.

Town continued to create the better chances with Della Verde cutting in from the right and having a shot saved on 34 minutes and just before halftime a typical Faal gallop from the halfway line ended with Town’s top scorer shooting wide.

H-T 0-0

If the first half was fairly even, then the home side definitely upped their game after the break.  Stortford began to enjoy greater possession in midfield, with Town’s passing going astray on numerous occasions. 

Anthony Church had a shot well blocked by Harold Joseph, before the splendidly-named Jonny Giles whizzed down the right wing past two defenders only to see his shot blocked for a corner. 

Although McDonald’s goal was not directly threatened on too many occasions, the balance of play had definitely shifted in favour of the hosts.

Finally, on 81 minutes the game exploded into life.  A Town handball gave the home side a penalty, which was duly belted in by Jake Cass.  

Town’s response was a triple substitution, introducing Nathan Smith, Luke Cook and Lee Chappell into the fray, and it quickly paid dividends. 

Della Verde’s right-wing corner caused chaos in the home six-yard box, and the loose ball was gleefully wellied home by Smith. 

To their credit, Town now went for the win, and almost got it when Faal broke down the right and passed to Della Verde who unfortunately shot straight at Giddens. 

What happened next was as depressing as it was frustrating. With the clock showing 95.30, Charles’ low cross from the left was converted by Renee from close range, leaving Town players, management and supporters all tearing their hair out.

On Saturday we have a chance to pick ourselves back up  when we host Merstham at our special club day to celebrate 10 years since moving to QEII, hopefully in front of a bumper crowd.

Town line-up: McDonald, Muleba, Kirwan (Chappell 83), Maja, Gyebi, Joseph, Kiangebeni, Taaffe (Smith 83), Coker (Cook 83), Faal, Della-Verde. Unused subs: Bray, Walsh

We have been drawn away to Step 4 Hanwell Town in the 2^nd round of the FA Trophy on Nov 27.

Hanwell play in Greenford in the Isthmian League south central division  and are currently in 6^th place but  on a strong run of form.

Last Saturday they knocked our local rivals Wingate and Finchley  out of the trophy and are regarded as a far better side than their Step 4 status suggests, having scored 20 goals in the last six games.

They cannot be under-estimated but the tie, which awards £3,750 to the winners, gives us a marvellous opportunity to progress into the third round and the chance to rub shoulders with one of non league football’s big boys.

Ticket information and ground directions will be posted in due course.