We are thrilled to announce that Marcus Wyllie has put pen to paper and signed a contract with us until the end of this season, with an option for one further campaign.

Marcus, 24, has scored seven goals in as many games in all competitions in his favoured forward position this season, fulfilling the promise he showed since joining us from Step 5 Risborough Rangers where he chalked up an astonishing 36 goals in 2021-22.

We wish Marcus, a huge favourite with Town fans, all the best for the remainder of the season.

Our Isthmian League Premier Division match away at Kingstonian – moved due to our participation in the FA Cup – has now been rescheduled for Wednesday October 11th, 19:45 kickoff.

As with last season, the Ks are ground-sharing with Tooting & Mitcham at their Imperial Fields home.

Enfield Town 2-2 Bognor Regis Town
Report by Ken Brazier

In stifling 30-degrees-plus conditions, reminiscent of last year’s sweltering home game v Folkestone, both sides put on an entertaining show for the 560 who turned out to search for a shaded viewpoint.

The Rocks looked far from a team that had recently bowed out of the FA Cup at the hands of Burgess Hill as they set about recording a first win at the QEII since January 2013.

Enfield endured a tough first half as they sought to get to grips with the pace of Bognor’s breaks – particularly down the flanks – with Lucas Pattenden, returning from injury, and Isaac Olaniyan prominent. After Scott Thomas had blazed wide and Reece Beckles-Richards had just failed to get onto the end of a Marcus Wyllie cross they had a let-off after nine minutes when Harvey Whyte played in Pattenden, who saw his shot hit the inside of the far post and rebound into Rhys Foster’s hands.

The Rocks got just reward for their strong start around the quarter of an hour mark when a good lay-off from Dan Gifford saw Jasper Mather lash the ball home past Forster’s left hand. But Enfield took advantage of a careless foul in a dangerous position after 22 minutes, and a sublime free-kick delivery from man-of-the-match Ollie Knight found Sam Youngs at the back post and the long-serving midfielder found the back of the net with a downward header.

The woodwork came to Enfield’s rescue again in the 29^th minute. After James Richmond had had a goal ruled out for offside, Mather curled an effort against the same upright.  A minute later, Forster did well to keep out a long distance lob. But he breathed a sigh of relief a minute later when he attempted to shepherd the ball out of play and was caught in possession way out on the wing, but the subsequent ball into the danger area came to nothing.

HT: 1-1

Enfield’s ball retention and creation of chances improved after the break. But, a few minutes after he had been booked for handling outside the penalty area, Forster found himself picking the ball out of his net after an incisive run down the left and low shot by Joe Rabbetts had enabled the Rocks to retake the lead, much to the delight of the travelling support.

After a couple of home chances had come and gone, another set piece drew Enfield level. Again Knight was the provider, and his accurate corner kick was headed home powerfully by Richmond (pictured). It was a testament to both sides that, despite the awful conditions for football, there was no hint of either holding on for a point with half an hour to go.

The visitors’ keeper Ryan Hall denied Beckles-Richards twice, once following a slick move involving substitute debutant Josh Keeya and Knight, and then with a brave smothering block at the striker’s feet. Wyllie, who was well-marshalled all afternoon, saw his 71^st minute effort sail high and wide and Mickey Parcell’s heat-defying run ended with a cross that drifted behind.  Mather fired over for the Rocks and, after appeals for a penalty at the other end when Wyllie went down were waved away, Pattenden and Gifford missed chances towards the end when their headers flew off target. 

Town: Forster; Parcell, Richmond, Okotcha, Payne; Adjei-Hersey (Keeya 57), Youngs, Thomas, Knight; Wyllie, Beckles-Richards (Bessadi 89).

We are delighted to announce the signing of Irish midfielder Josh Keeya.

Josh was in the stands during our FA Cup win over Potters Bar and said he cannot wait to be re-united with Gavin Macpherson, under whom he played at Met Police.

A number of pro clubs including Millwall are reported to have been looking at Josh and Gavin said he was equally excited to have the 19-year-old in the squad.

“I have nothing but good things to say about Josh,” said Gavin. “He is a model professional and a very good footballer. His application and work rate are first class and that’s why pro clubs have been looking at him. He fits all the criteria to be a professional footballer.”

“Of course he’ll have to work himself into the team like anyone else but is a welcome addition to the squad and can only make us stronger.”

Welcome, Josh

Andrew Warshaw

We are delighted to bring teenage defender Jorden Adeoye, a late substitute in our FA cup tie against Potters Bar on Saturday (pictured), into the first-team squad

Jorden, just 16, moves up from the academy and has impressed the management team.

“I’m committed to this club looking forward in respect of a pathway,” said Gavin Macpherson.

“Jorden played in the FA Youth Cup two weeks ago. I want to try to build something here and I thought it was good time to give the boy a taste of first-team action.”

Welcome Jorden

We have been drawn to play Felixstowe and Walton United at home in the 2^nd qualifying round of the FA Cup.

Felixstowe play at Step 4 level in Isthmian League North, one below us, but won both their FA Cup ties to date 4-1 away, beating Woodford Town in the last round.

In the league they have won one and drawn two of their three games and, like us, remain unbeaten in all competitions.

The tie is scheduled for the weekend of 16-17 September with the mouth-watering prospect of further progression.

“Of course I’m pleased to be at home. Being in front of our fantastic home support is a massive plus,” said Gavin Macpherson who nevertheless issued a word of caution.

“Teams at this stage have earned the right to be in the draw and I think it’s a very difficult game. I believe they are unbeaten and we will of course give them the respect they deserve. Forming the opinion we have an advantage because we play in the higher league will not be part of our approach. Felixstowe and Walton have good management and players so I think a difficult game awaits us.

“Currently we are in a good place so we must have confidence in our ability without being complacent. That is a something we can’t allow to creep in no matter the competition. We’ll plan and prepare as we always do and look forward to the game.”

Enfield Town 3 Potters Bar Town 0

Report by Andrew Warshaw

In control virtually from first minute to last, Town cruised into the 2^nd qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday with a display even more emphatic than the scoreline suggests.

Perhaps the only downside of a whirlwind performance was the fact that we missed a hatful of other chances which thankfully didn’t cost us.

Potters Bar had a distinctly different look about them in terms of personnel compared with the side we beat in the league last month.

Former Towners Sam Chaney and Brandon Adams both started but the visitors hardly laid a glove on us apart from a brief spell either side of halftime.

Town welcomed back from injury both Joe Payne and Josh Okotcha while Sami Bessadi was given a start in midfield.

And we were on the scoresheet after just eight minutes through Marcus Wyllie’s seventh goal in six games in all competitions as he took up the inside right position before running through to produce yet another outstanding finish.

Just before Marcus’ goal, Rhys Forster came charging out of his area, waited for a Town player to pass to but didn’t spot Bar skipper Adelberto Pinto rise to his feet with the goal at his mercy.

Luckily Pinto’s shot flew over and it was the last time the visitors threatened us for the entire first half.

On 14 minutes, our lead was doubled when Sam Youngs ghosted in Martin Peters-style to head home Ollie Knight’s corner and thereafter it was a case of chance after chance.

James Richmond headed an Ollie Knight freekick against the bar, Preston Edwards stuck out a leg to save when Reece Beckles-Richards was one on one with the Bar keeper and Marcus got his legs in a tangle when through on goal.

Just before halftime Edwards came to the rescue again to keep out an Ollie Knight effort and the only disappointment at the interval was that we weren’t leading by more.

H-T 2-0

Potters Bar couldn’t play much worse but 2-0 is a dangerous scoreline and while they didn’t really threaten Forster’s goal, they changed system and briefly looked a threat.

Town’s third, therefore, was perfectly timed. Knight’s delivery caused problems all afternoon and it was from his ball up the line that Joe Payne made the game safe with a cross-shot that deceived Edwards and nestled in the far corner (pictured).

As we toyed with the opposition, the chances kept coming, Edwards preventing an even more resounding victory by saving from Beckles-Richards and Payne while a Scott Thomas drive hit the side netting.

Town reverted to a period of keep ball which almost resulted in the goal of the game when Marcus ran on to Thomas’ through-ball, only for Edwards to be called into action for the umpteenth time.

Some of our football was sublime and although the visitors did get the ball in the net late on, Max Jessop’s effort was ruled offside.

“How the game panned out we should have won by a country mile,” said Gavin afterwards. “We were disappointed at halftime not to have made it a non-contest. Whilst it was 2-0 they had a chance and we were perhaps missing a ruthless streak.

“You could argue were not great in front of goal yet we scored three. That’s what this team is capable of. Once you get to 3-0, it’s easier to express yourself.”

“I have to say Ollie Knight thoroughly deserved his man of the match award. His supply from wide areas is a defender’s nightmare and he works tirelessly.”

“The FA Cup is so important, not just for me but also the club and the supporters. Everyone is now looking at the draw on Monday.”

Town

Forster; Parcell, Richmond, Okotcha (Adeoya, 88), Payne; Knight, Thomas, Youngs, Bessadi (Adjei-Hersey, 78) ; Beckles-Richards (Soulya-Osekango, 75) , Wyllie

By Andrew Warshaw

Gavin Macpherson doesn’t need reminding about the importance of the FA Cup.

Gav knows how a decent cup run, and the financial rewards that go with it, can galvanise a team’s season and like all of us is hoping for a successful start when we take on Potters Bar at home on Saturday in the first qualifying round (ko 3pm).

Five years ago while at Met Police, Gavin enjoyed his “15 minutes of fame”, as he put it, when his then club reached the first round proper against Newport County having come through six ties.

The television cameras were there to witness the professional side’s 2-0 win and it was a memorable day all round.

Town’s unbeaten league start – including a 2-0 win at Potters Bar — will have little bearing on Saturday’s fixture. The Scholars have brought in a raft of new players since and whilst both teams might have hoped for a draw against lower league opposition at this stage of the competition, we have to contend with a Step 3 rival.

Following Monday’s draw at Haringey, when we had a raft of players missing, Gavin is hoping to have a few  back from injury for what promises to be hard-fought game between two sides desperate to advance.

“Potters Bar have probably learned more lessons about us than vice-versa,” said Gavin. “There’s a difference in their personnel now but it should help being at home. I’ve experienced the FA Cup and it’s a game changer. We need the fans to get behind us as they always do.”

Haringey Borough 1 Enfield Town 1

Report by Andrew Warshaw

Marcus Wyllie’s sixth goal in five games rescued a last-gasp point for Town as we maintained our unbeaten start to the season in the most challenging of circumstances on Monday afternoon.

Given the mounting number of injuries and enforced changes we had to make, some of them square pins in round holes, it’s no surprise that Gavin and the boys were all smiles at the final whistle.

No-one would deny that Haringey were by far the better side in the first half and could have been out of sight had they taken their chances on their artificial pitch.

But whilst we rode our luck at times and Rhys Forster kept us in the game, thanks to couple of timely tweaks by Gavin, a change of formation and the whole side showing fantastic resilience, we improved considerably  after the break and ended up with a draw to be proud of.

Still missing the likes of Louis Birch and Joe Payne as well as long-term victims Jake Cass and Lewis Taaffe, Josh Okotcha and Carlos Garcia-Velasco were added to the injury list, leaving us horribly stretched, whilst the bench comprised only one fully fit outfield player.

As a result, Dylan Adjei-Hersey had to be pushed into an unfamiliar rightback slot, Ekow Coker handed a central defensive opportunity and Gucci Soulya-Osekanongo brought into midfield.

The inexperience certainly told in the first half when Haringey swarmed all over us, forcing us into mistakes and missing several good chances, not least Tage Kennedy firing wide when clean through.

Just as it looked like we had weathered the proverbial early storm, Mickey Parcell’s late challenge on Kasim Aidoo earned Haringey a penalty which Mat Young cooly converted.

Forster, who had already thwarted Walter Figuera, prevented a second Haringey goal with another smart stop but right on half time, Town almost levelled when Sam Youngs’ bullet header was bundled off the line.

H-T 0-1

Fortunate to be only one down, Gavin made a halftime switch with Kyle Bailey, who hadn’t trained for several weeks, replacing Gucci and Dylan Adjei-Hersey reverting to his normal position.

Kyle, showing tremendous character, slotted in seamlessly and we were very nearly on level terms when Dillon Barnes stuck out a leg to save from Wyllie.

Haringey were still creating chances at the other end, however, either missing the target or finding Forster in supreme form.

Cue a switch to a back three and suddenly Town finished the stronger. Youngs saw a snapshot whistle past the post and just as the board showed five added minutes, our persistency paid off.

Youngs collected Parcell’s pass and, not for the first time this season, found Marcus in a pocket of space to finish off the move though Barnes will be disappointed he couldn’t keep it out (pictured).

“I take some responsibility for the first half,” said Gavin. “Playing Dylan at rightback was totally my decision but  we were missing a huge number of players.”

“Let’s face it they could have been out of sight and Rhys kept us in it.  Under normal circumstances with two games in 48 hours I’d have made three or four changes but we had to go with what we had available so I’m absolutely delighted. I’d be astonished if Haringey finish near the bottom so with everything taken into consideration, it’s a great point.”

 Town

Forster; Parcell, Richmond, Coker, Adjei-Hersey (Bessadi, 80); Knight, Thomas, Youngs, Soulya-Osekanongo (Bailey, 45); Wyllie, Beckles-Richards

Enfield Town 2 Cray Wanderers 0

Report by Andrew warshaw

Not our best performance but probably our best win. That’s how Gavin Macpherson summed up yesterday’s hard-fought victory over Cray, marking the finest start in the club’s history at Step 3 level.

Early days still of course but Town remain top of the table on goal difference despite missing not only Jake Cass but three or four other key players.

Joe Payne became the latest casualty when he failed a fitness test just before kickoff, Mickey Parcell switching to the left.

Marcus Wyllie, leading the line in the absence of the injured Jake, almost opened the score after 10 minutes from Mickey’s sublime through-ball, only for Shaun Rowley to pull off a stunning save.

Town didn’t have things all their own way in an even first half marked by a raging thunder and lightning storm that for a while represented monsoon conditions though the pitch held up well.

Cray, who made the playoffs last term after finishing fifth, looked dangerous whenever the pacey Yahaya Bamber and midfielder Frankie Raymond had the ball while Anthony Cook headed inches wide.

H-T 0-0

If the first half was a tight affair, the second belonged to Town.

Wyllie wasted a freekick, awarded after Reece Beckles-Richards had his shirt tugged for the umpteenth time, by shooting well wide but he soon made up for it.

 On 55 minutes, Reece’s cross was headed straight into the path of Marcus who kept his composure to fire across goal and into the corner.

 Eight minutes later, Town’s main man up front made it five goals in four games, turning inside his marker before seeing his sharp effort loop over Rowley via a Cameron Black deflection (pictured).

Marcus could have had a hat-trick, only to spoon an arguably easier attempt over the bar, and as Cray tried to rally they were thwarted by two fine stops from Rhys Forster while James Richmond and Josh Okotcha again formed an impressive defensive partnership.

Ultimately Town were worthy winners on the day in front of 526 fans as we preserved our 100 percent record.

Gavin had been concerned beforehand about Cray being a false position and about growing number of injuries but got the perfect response

“I don’t want to take any credit but all we did in the second half was change to a 4-1-4-1 and drop Reece down to nullify what Cray were doing and stop them playing,” said Gavin.

“What we did then on a skiddy surface was ask the boys to put balls down the channels. It was just a couple of subtle changes. But then of course you need the execution. With Marcus, he’s a natural centreforward. I said that from day one. It’s just a case of letting him go and play without putting too much pressure on him.”

Looking ahead to Haringey Borough, Gavin says he will have assess the players on Monday morning with Carlos Garcia-Velasco, who grew into the game after a tricky first 20 minutes, the latest one to struggle with injury.

“I never expected this to be our best performance but we came through it,” said Gav. “Everyone knows they’ll be some highs and lows this season but we’ve had a great start.”

Team

Forster; Parcell, Okotcha, Richmond, Garcia-Velasco; Knight (Bessadi, 88), Youngs, Thomas, Adjei-Hersey ( Soulya-Osekanongo); Wyllie, Beckles-Richards