We are delighted to confirm that we have managed to extend Lewis Knight’s loan period until the end of the season.
This runs up to and includes May 1 which is the date of the playoff final
Lewis has been outstanding at the back for the Town since his arrival from Margate as well as scoring crucial goals at the other end of the pitch.
Manager Andy Leese commented: “I’m absolutely delighted. Fantastic player, great acquisition.”
Onwards and upwards, Lewis!
What better place to be on Valentine’s Day than supporting Enfield Town.
Following last Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Wingate and Finchley, we entertain another of the division’s lower teams tomorrow (Tuesday) when Brightlingsea Regent are the visitors, kickoff 7.45.
Brightlingsea are one place off the bottom with only four wins to their name but as Maz said after Saturday’s game, the teams at wrong end of the table are scrapping for their lives and can pose a serious threat if we are off the pace – like we were in the first half against Wingate and Finchley.
Scott Thomas plays his last game (if selected) before a three-match ban kicks in following his sending off on Saturday.
Although Brightlingsea lost to Herne Bay in a relegation six pointer last weekend, they have done well against some of the higher-placed sides in recent weeks without necessarily getting their just reward.
With Andy Leese back to direct matters in the dugout following his one-match ban, victory could push us back into the top three ahead of a potentially tricky visit to Canvey Island on Saturday.
Enfield town 1 Wingate and Finchley 1
Report by Andrew Warshaw
High-flying Enfield salvaged a late point in a feisty derby despite playing almost an hour with 10 men after skipper Scott Thomas was shown a straight red.
Scott was dismissed around the half-hour mark after the referee adjudged he grabbed Ben Siggers by the throat as he reacted after having being fouled himself.
The man in the middle admitted at halftime that he should have booked Siggers too. But that was of little consolation to the home fans who made up virtually the entire 700-strong crowd including many who took advantage of our Public Services Day.
Despite having won six of seven going into the game, we were strangely passive in the first half and the visitors, in their florescent green away kit, deservedly went in front having already gone close through Akeo Bani’s bending freekick that came back off our crossbar.
And what a worldie their goal was from Antonis Vasiliou, who has hardly shone this season but once again saved his best when playing against Town, showing incredible technique with a sensational overhead kick on the volley.
Town’s best first-half effort fell to Sam Youngs but our quality was poor and Scott’s sending off (he now misses three games starting next weekend) appeared to only make matters worse.
H-T 0-1
Credit to the management, however, as we brought on Jake Cass to play alongside Adam Cunnington, sacrificing Marcus Wyllie in the process, switched to a 3-4-2 system and took control.
Without discernably troubling Wingate keeper Ben Goode whose handling throughout was excellent, it was Town who now looked the team with a one-man advantage as we pushed Wingate back.
The visitors started to resort to giving away a number of freekicks outside their area, one of which rebounded into the path of Youngs who blasted narrowly wide.
We were getting closer and with five minutes of regular time to go, our courage with 10 men finally paid off.
Numerical parity was restored when Ola Williams was dismissed for a second yellow for a foul on Youngs.
Much to the anger of the crowd, Williams took an eternity to leave pitch-side but Town had the last laugh. From the resultant freekick, Della-Verde produced what he does best with another of his scorching left-foot freekicks, this one deflecting in off the Wingate wall (pictured).
With Andy Leese serving a one-man ban up in the stands it was left to assistant Mario Noto to sum up proceedings.
“We hadn’t really got a foothold in the game and even after the sending off had to go positive so we decided to go two up top in the second half,” explained Maz.
“In the end we might even have nicked it. The boys off the bench did really well to impact the game. Definitely a point gained. It’s not always easy against these teams who are fighting for their lives. But we need to get three points against Brightlingsea on Tuesday.”
Town:
McDonald; Wilson-Braithwaite, Richmond, Knight, Payne (Della-Verde, 68); Thomas, Isaac, Youngs; Wyllie (Cass, 46), Cunnington, Coker (Taaffe, 68).
Tomorrow we entertain one of our nearest rivals Wingate and Finchley at the QEII Stadium, kickoff 3-pm, hoping to make it seven wins in eight league games.
In the corresponding fixture at the end of November, we won 2-0 with goals from Lewis Knight and Jake Cass.
Wingate are currently 17th in the table with 25 points from 17 games, just two points clear of the relegation zone.
However, last Saturday against the odds they defeated playoff hopefuls Cray Wanderers 1-0 with a goal from Ben Siggers.
Just a reminder that the game is our public services day.
That means free admission for all those who provide our various public services.
These include those employed in the NHS and Care sector, Ambulance Service, Postal Service, Police Service, Prison and Probation Services, Fire Brigade Service, Councils, Schools, Nurseries and Colleges, Transport Services, HM Forces and Voluntary Sector Organisations.
Hopefully we can treat them to another fine performance and maintain our excellent form among the leading positions.
COYT
Following several enforced postponements, our home game against Hornchurch will now take place on Tuesday, March 28, kickoff 7.45
Hopefully this time we can get the game played at what is likely to be an even more exciting time of the season with only a handful of fixtures remaining thereafter.
To add to the anticipation, it will be our only home league game in March.
There has been some suggestion that we already know our semifinal opponents in this competition so just to clarify, the draw has not yet been made.
The semifinal lineup will be completed by Feb 22 following multiple postponements.
It is anticipated that the draw will then be made before February 24, with the semifinals ideally taking place by the middle of March depending on each team’s schedule.
Yet again, our eagerly awaited home fixture against Hornchurch has had to be postponed because of cup commitments.
The game, already switched twice, was due to take place on Tuesday 28th February.
But because Hornchurch have an Essex County Cup semifinal that night, a new date will again have to be found.
We will of course keep all fans posted.
Northwood 1 Enfield Town 2
Report by Martin Bentley
It was hellishly cold, and the football was, for the most part, not pretty.
But Enfield Town successfully negotiated a tricky Middlesex Senior Cup tie at Northwood to secure their passage into the semi-finals.
Town fielded a much-changed side, and gave competitive debuts to Tom Payne and Lucas Jordan.
They started off at a gallop, taking the lead after only four minutes, Jake Cass driving a close range effort past home keeper Andrew McCorkell at his near post (pictured).
Northwood were also looking threatening in the early stages, and debutant Parris Mason levelled after 20 minutes with a smart close range finish.
The remainder of the half was largely uneventful, although the home side had a decent-looking penalty shout when Sandro Costa went down under Jon Muleba’s challenge.
Town then regained the lead after 38 minutes with a goal from Lyle Della Verde that trod that fine line between genius and fluke (this writer, for the record, favours the former option).
The Town winger received the ball on the right from Lewis Taaffe and curled a brilliant/lucky effort over the scrambling McCorkell and into the far corner of the net.
A lively second half was notable only for the almost complete lack of shots on goal. For Town, Jordan had an effort ruled out for offside, Cass was denied by McCorkell when put through on goal, and Taaffe pinged a 25 yarder deep into the cemetery behind the goal.
The home side threatened frequently from wide areas, but the Town defence coped well with a string of accurately delivered crosses and corners and held on for the win, the relieved travelling faithful trooping
off in search of somewhere a bit warmer.
Town line-up: Mc Donald, Muleba, Joe Payne, Tom Payne (Youngs 78), Braithwaite, Okotcha, Taaffe, Dayton (Isaac 65), Cass, Jordan (Coker 74), Della Verde.
Unused subs: Richmond, Wyllie
On behalf of everyone at Enfield Town FC, we would like to wish Tony Gibbs a huge happy 80th birthday .
Tony is one our longest serving fans and follows us home and away as well as giving up his spare time volunteering the supervision of our various Young Children Disability coaching sessions.
Tony, who epitomises the spirit of our club, acts as the liaison link between the parents, the club and the NHS at three six-week sessions per year staged at the club’s 3G training pitch.
“I’d never been involved in anything like this before but I thrive on it,” Tony told The Enfield Dispatch in a recent interview.
“When you are doing voluntary work, it’s so rewarding. You get back far more than you are able to give. It’s extremely positive not just for the children but also the adults and carers.”
You’re a credit to our club, Tony. Happy Birthday. Here’s to many more….
We have identified this Saturday’s home game with Wingate and Finchley (ko 3pm) as an opportunity to say thank you to those who provide our public services.
We will allow all those who work in those services to attend this fixture for free.
These include those employed in the NHS and Care sector, Ambulance Service, Postal Service, Police Service, Prison and Probation Services, Fire Brigade Service, Councils, Schools, Nurseries and Colleges, Transport Services, HM Forces and Voluntary Sector Organisations.
An e ticket is available for people to claim their free ticket but you will also be able to gain entry on production of appropriate ID on the day.
https://enfieldtownfc.ktckts.com/brand/match-tickets
Use the NHS link.
Please share information about this day widely among friends, family and colleagues.
