We have been drawn away to Slough Town in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup on Oct 11  — minutes after being awarded our 5-1 victory over Quorn on Saturday.

During a frantic morning of nail-biting anticipation, Quorn conceded the tie, abandoned eight minutes from time following a serious injury to their goalkeeper Tom Allsopp who we all wish well and thankfully has no lasting damage

As a result of Saturday’s result standing, we were quickly moved by the FA to the southern section of the draw having initially being placed in the northern section which might have necessitated  a marathon round trip in arguably the toughest of the two regions.

In the third qualifying round on Saturday, Slough won 2-1 away at Bedfont Sports and whilst we could on paper have got a far easier tie against one of the remaining Step 3 teams or even lower, we could also have ended up facing National League opposition since Step 1 sides now enter the competition.

Earlier this season, we conceded a 97^th minute equaliser at Slough to draw 1-1 in the league and both clubs will fancy their chances of progression to the Holy Grail of the first round proper – something we have never achieved.

“In FA Cup terms, it’s been a rollercoaster since Saturday’s game and Step 2 opposition is tough at this stage,” said Gavin Macpherson.

“As we found out recently, it’s very tough to go to Slough and pick up a result. It’s obviously a team we know fairly well and I’ve got the greatest admiration for Scott and his management team. We must prepare properly but it’s a game that I think we have a fighting chance in. We’ll do everything in our power to be in the first round.”

AW

Enfield Town 5 Quorn 1 (abandoned after 82 minutes)

Report by Andrew Warshaw

Enfield Town’s progress in the FA Cup depends on a ruling by the Football Association after our third qualifying round fixture was called off with eight minutes left following a serious injury to Quorn goalkeeper Tom Allsop.

Town had just scored their fifth goal with a place in the next round all but assured when Allsop collided with one of his own players as he came to meet a Jack Bates centre and collapsed unconscious.

Concerned players on both sides urgently signalled for immediate medical attention with Allsop later carried off a stretcher before being further treated by ambulance paramedics and taken to hospital.

After a confusion-packed 30-minute delay while the officials contacted the FA for advice, the match was  abandoned and it now up to the authorities to decide the outcome which will probably not be known before Monday’s fourth qualifying round draw – the joint furthest we have reached in the competition. Either the 5-1 result stands or a replay will be ordered appear to be the two main options with significant prize money at stake.

It is with huge relief that Allsopp has since tweeted he is doing okay following various scans. He also made a point of thanking Town’s medical staff for their swift action.

Before the game there was a minute’s silence to pay tribute to former Chichester striker Billy Vigar who tragically sustained a fatal brain injury at Wingate and Finchley last Saturday.

When the action got under way, only Adam Thompson was missing from Town’s regular line-up despite all manner of injuries and illness in the build-up.

To suggest we started sluggishly is an understatement as Step 3 Quorn, who looked quicker, sharper and more penetrative, put us under the cosh. They had clearly done their homework and could have been three goals up but for Rhys Forster who had dragged himself out of bed to make his 99^th appearance in goal for Town.

We were treading water with winger Simeon Coburne a particular thorn in our side. But just as it seemed we might be victims of a potential giantkilling we shook off our lethargy to open the score with a majestic Lamar Reynolds volley.

On the stroke of halftime, our lead was doubled after Tosh Gallimore dribbled his way into the box before beating the outstretched arm of Allsop though his shot (pictured) appeared to take a deflection.

H-T 2-0

Now the belief and fight went out of Quorn and we took total control as Mickey Parcell entered the fray, the first of a number of subs who also included the returning Bates for a second Town spell.

Sam Youngs, who had passed a pre-match fitness test and played with his head bandaged up as a result of last Saturday’s collision, seemed to put the result beyond doubt with a glorious strike.

 Lamar then notched his second with the most sublime of lobs when the flag stayed down and Tommy Wood’s tap-in made it five but was overshadowed by Allsopp’s worrying condition.

“The player’s welfare is above anything else,” said Gavin Macpherson. “Obviously we wish the lad the very best and we need to thank Laura and George for their contribution in dealing with it.”

“The referee made a call to the FA whose decision apparently was to play out the remaining time. I understand Quorn didn’t want to come back out. The referee’s report will now go in and we wait and see what happens.”

“As for the game, I think that’s the poorest we’ve started this season. I have to credit Quorn for playing in a way we didn’t expect but once we settled down we could have run away with it handsomely. We had a really rough week and didn’t really know who could play until just before.  It could have gone the other way in terms of a makeshift side but luckily we ended up being in reasonable shape and were clinical. I’m not sure of the protocols but let’s hope common sense now prevails.”

Town:

Forster; Benjamin (Jones 65), Hawkins, Donaldson; Adom-Malaki, Bullas (Bates 77), Brown, Gallimore, Leonard; Youngs (Wood 65), Reynolds (Lodovica, 77)

Enfield Town go into arguably our most eagerly anticipated game of the season battling against injury and illness as we bid to reach the final qualifying round of the FA Cup.

Without any names being identified here so as not to give our opponents Quorn an unnecessary heads-up for Saturday’s  3^rd qualifying round fixture, the last few days have not be kind to us in terms of untimely health issues.

The management team will hope that as many potentially key absentees as possible will shrug off various knocks in time for the visit of our Step 3 adversaries in order to get as close to a strong starting eleven as possible.

Players always want to play and have a habit of going the extra mile to try and recover from physical setbacks but no unnecessary risks will be taken. That’s why, after all, we have a squad and in all likelihood there will be an opportunity for some players to step up to the plate if required.

Gavin has had Quorn, who won 2-1 in midweek in the league and are fifth in Southern League Premier Central, watched twice and believe they are as good a Step 3 side as there is – having scored 10 goals in their two FA Cup ties to date. If Saturday’s fixture is drawn, there will be a replay on Tuesday.

Having got knocked out at the first hurdle last season, everyone is relishing the chance to go as far as possible this time round and your support could be crucial.

“I always look forward to the FA Cup but it will be a very tough test,” said Gavin. “My message to the players as they walk out will be to be in the hat on Monday, preferably as winners and not looking at a replay. We’ve done our homework on this team who are very, very capable. We’re not taking them lightly in any shape or form. I’ve said before, I would love a cup run for this club.”

AW

Enfield Town 0 Cockfosters 2

Report by Andrew Warshaw

It was very much a case of déjà vu on Tuesday as for the second year running we bowed out of the London Senior Cup at the first hurdle to Step 5 opposition.

Whilst there were mitigating circumstances in terms of blooding several academy players, we should on paper have been able to overcome near-neighbours Cockfosters especially with six first-teamers in the starting line-up.

But just like Newham Athletic last year, a patched-up side lacked ideas, fluency and imagination and were second best for large periods of the game against a team who appeared to have more desire.

The Cockfosters side included three ex-Towners including George Beattie and Junior Mubiayi but it was their leftback  Junior Moses – who apparently once had a trial with AC Milan (!) – who caught the eye.

A largely forgettable first half saw Cockfosters edge proceedings with their direct approach. Indeed, we had to wait until the 38^th minute for Town’s only moment of quality, Eli Ackason flicking the ball over the bar from Ollie Knight’s first-time centre after excellent work from Alex Osei.

H-T 0-0

It was no surprise when our visitors broke the deadlock on 56 minutes through Luca Gordon’s side-foot finish and soon it was 2-0 as Moses teased Avan Jones before skimming past him and firing low across the box for Lanre Balogun to tap in.

Town almost pulled a goal back, only for two goalbound shots in quick succession to be blocked on the line but the Fosters ran out worthy winners on the night.

Town of course have bigger fish on Saturday in the FA Cup against Quorn who incidentally won again last night and Gavin Macpherson was reasonably sanguine despite the disappointment of exiting the lesser of the cup competitions at the first hurdle in front of 232 hardy fans.

“These games are extremely valuable and for me it’s all about the bigger picture,” said Gav. “Some people may agree, some may disagree. The main thing for me was to see where our academy players are and whether there are any individuals that are close to the first team.”

“It’s the only chance really that I get to look at them against stronger opposition than they normally play against. We got out of it what we wanted – bar the result.”

On the positive front, Ethan Cann and – not for the first time – Jay Lambert showed they could be useful first-team defensive reinforcements if ever needed but knocks to Ruaridh Donaldson and Tommy Wood do not augur well for Saturday. Fingers crossed…

Town

Connolly; Cann (Douglas, 80), Donaldson, Lambert; Jones, Parcell (Furrera 78), Brown (Opoku, 46), Knight, Osei; Ackason, Wood (Bolibehga, 67)

Enfield Town 1 Chippenham Town 0

Report By Andrew warshaw

The hosts hadn’t won at home, the visitors hadn’t triumphed on the road.

Something therefore had to give in this basement battle and it was Enfield Town who deservedly came out on top.

Once again, Town’s defence – one of the meanest in the division – was a hard nut to crack. If only we could convert a better ratio of chances at the other end.

That’s not for want of trying. Just like two weeks ago against high-flying Weston-Super-Mare, we had by far the better openings in a highly physical game but at least we took one, Henry Hawkins getting the last touch to an 18^th minute corner.

And this time, after gaining a foothold and only occasionally relinquishing control, we managed to bag  all three points though in truth anything other than a home win would have been a travesty.

Town were at full strength with the returning Hawkins and Bailey Brown and when Hayden Bullas was felled just outside the area early doors, Nino Adom-Malaki drilled the resultant freekick narrowly wide.

Town had started like a train and it was no surprise when Hawkins rose highest from an inswinging corner to power home a header (pictured).

For 20 minutes the Bluebirds couldn’t lay a glove on us but Henry Sady supplied a warning against complacency by rattling the bar after finding  himself free of an otherwise assured defence.

But Town were very much the dominance force . Lamar Reynolds, whose skill and technique was a delight to watch, was just about to pull the trigger when the ball was smuggled away from under his feet.

H-T 1-0

A surprise halftime change saw Tommy Wood replace Sam Youngs who was suffering from dizziness but Town maintained the pressure, a gorgeous turn and shot from Lamar so nearly doubling the lead, only to be saved by the legs of Will Henry.

How we weren’t awarded a penalty for a blatant handball is anyone’s guess but as we built up another head of steam Hayden Bullas fairly tackled a hesitant keeper but his pull-back fell to a visiting defender instead of to Lamar who would have had a simple tap-in. A few minutes later, Lamar left three players for dead, only to see his shot cleared for a throw-in while Wood missed a golden chance from close range to get on the scoresheet, taking the wrong option.

Late in the game, an ugly flare-up involving Wood and Dan Ellison resulted in both being wrestled to the ground. The referee’s decision in a lengthy stoppage was to consult both linesmen, then to book neither of the culprits and instead issue yellow cards to the respective captains for failing to control their players. New rules apparently…

Given Town’s propensity to concede late goals after controlling proceedings, it was no surprise that nerves became frayed in the last 15 minutes, plus six added on, when the Bluebirds, second best for long periods half, had a go but couldn’t find a way through.

“It may sound like a broken record but we really should make life easier for ourselves,” said Gavin Macpherson after we moved up to 17^th with all the teams below us having lost or drawn.

 “But the boys were magnificent today, running hard and creating chances. The only thing is, you always run the risk of what has been happening before.  It’s quite obvious where we have to do better at this level because you can’t expect to keep clean sheets every week.”

Town

Forster; Benjamin, Thompson, Hawkins; Leonard,  Bullas, Gallimore, Brown (Parcell 64), Adom-Malaki; Youngs (Wood, 46), Reynolds (Lodovica 83)

It’s ridiculously early to talk about a six-pointer but Enfield Town go into Saturday’s clash with Chippenham knowing that a first home win of the season would open up a four-point gap above their opponents.

With Town not having won at home and the Bluebirds – one point behind us — yet to be victorious on the road, something has to give in what is the first of three games in a week for us in all competitions.

Last Saturday’s progress in the FA Cup gave everyone a boost but we need to start scoring goals in league games to put more points on the board.

“I realise why some people look at the league table and think this might be one of our easier games but this is National League South,” said Gavin Macpherson. “I would never ever look at a team anywhere in our division and make any kind of judgement. Last season at this early stage there were teams near the top who finished way down. I’m looking at Chippenham in isolation and recognise  what they do really well. They switch their play well so we’ll have to be cute about what we do.”

“Last Saturday in the cup will have done us the power of good but we still need to take more of our ratio of chances. I’ve said many times that we’ve not got as many points as we should have.”

In terms of personnel, Mickey Parcell has just become a proud father and missed training on Thursday, Henry Hawkins and Bailey Brown are both vying to be in contention as they continue trying to shake off injury while Ollie Knight is unavailable. But the rest of the squad seem fit and ready to go. There will be the usual excellent commentary available via the website for those unable to attend.

Next Saturday of course is the small matter of a mouth-watering FA Cup 3^rd qualifying round match against high-flying Step 3  Quorn AFC but before that, on Tuesday, we entertain Cockfosters in the London Senior Cup when it is anticipated that a number of fringe players and academy boys will be bloodied.

“I don’t want to make light of any competition and naturally the supporters want to win every game,” said Gavin. “But truthfully you do have a bit of an ulterior motive in respect of bringing in some really talented academy players for match-day experience.”

“It’s really important because you get to see how they function in a very different environment. Plus how they fare against adult opposition. Cockfosters will be no push-overs and it’s important to see where some of our younger lads are.  But of course we won’t just throw the academy out there. It will include a few of the first-team squad to try to glue it together.”

Could Jack Bates have rejoined the club by then? “It’s no secret Batesy has been training with us but he’s coming back from a couple of injuries,” explained Gav. “He obviously knows most of the lads but he hasn’t had any football whatsoever so we’re treating it one day at a time.”

AW

Wednesday 17th September 

Enfield Town U18s

                 v 

Chelmsford City U18s

Our Youth team take centre stage on Wednesday night when we welcome Chelmsford City’s talented youngsters to Donkey Lane.

Adults £3

Concession and U16s £1

Up The Towners

We have been drawn at home to Quorn in the 3^rd qualifying round of the FA Cup, scheduled for Saturday Sept 27 barring any late change.

Step 3 Quorn, based just outside Loughborough, are currently flying high in the Southern League Premier Central and knocked out famed non-league cup kings Kettering Town on Saturday having trounced Sherwood Colliery 8-0 in the previous round.

They also recently succumbed to a last-minute league defeat away to top of the table Harborough Town – one of only two losses so far on their Step 3 debut.

Whilst there could have been slightly harder ties on paper, there is no doubt  Quorn will provide stiff opposition having been crowned runaway Northern Premier League Midland Division champions last season to earn promotion to Step 3 in their centenary, winning by 18 points and losing only once in the league all season.

“As expected Quorn Fc are a team I know little about but what I do know is they’ve started very well in their respective league,” said Gavin Macpherson. “We’ll clearly become more familiar with who they are in coming days, I have no doubt we have a tough game on our hands so preparation will be key”.

With £5,625 at stake for the winners of the tie and only one more step thereafter to reach the Holy Grail of the first round proper, the fixture has all the makings of a thrilling occasion and your support will prove invaluable to keep our cup run going.

Enfield FC 0 Enfield Town 3

By Andrew Warshaw

Bragging rights went comprehensively to Enfield Town in the first meeting between these two historic rivals for 14 years.

“One team in Enfield” was the chant from the hundreds of visiting Towners fans who turned Hertford Town’s ground shared by Enfield FC into a virtual home fixture.

The talk before the game from the nomadic hosts was all about a possible cup upset. But two divisions separate these sides and the gulf in class was evident from first whistle to last as the E’s barely laid a glove on us, with hardly a shot on target.

Before kickoff we had rain, hail and sun and a rainbow, over which there was a pot of gold in the shape of a place in the next round.

For all the ground’s Step 4 status, it has to be said that the artificial pitch was among the best we have played on and there were no excuses for a poor performance by Gavin Macpherson’s men.

Luckily no excuses were needed as we dominated the game and should actually have won by more.

In a cup-tie atmosphere that rewarded the winners with £3,375, Gavin made one change from the West-super-mare game, Ruaridh Donaldson drafted into the back three to replace the injured Henry Hawkins.

Sam Youngs had our first decent chance when his driven volley was pushed away and a Lamar Reynolds effort was deflected for a corner.

“Your not Enfield any more” was the refrain as we pushed Enfield FC back and on 13 minutes, great play by Tosh Gallimore culminated in a vintage Youngs goal, cutting inside and shooting low into the corner.

Four minutes later we doubled our lead in the quest to take the sting out the opposition and get the job done early doors. Adam Thompson’s header came back off the bar and Reynolds managed to control a bouncing ball to volley home.

Lamar’s pace and skill, coupled with his combination play with Sam, troubled the hosts all afternoon and Sam almost made it three when George Edgeworth palmed away his header. Then a gorgeous four-man move through midfield culminated in Lamar chesting the ball down, only to see his shot blocked.

Further chances came and went and right on halftime, Lamar had the ball in the net again, only for the offside flag to be raised – wrongly according to Town players — after a fine delivery from Billy Leonard.

H-T 2-0

The hosts had enjoyed their first spell of possession in the latter stages of the half and 2-0 can be a dangerous scoreline.

They came out with more purpose but again couldn’t trouble Rhys Forster who continued to be a virtual spectator.

There was only one team that looked like continuing the scoring as Gallimore and Hayden Bullas controlled midfield. And so it proved on 68 minutes as Town guaranteed their place in the 3^rd qualifying round draw at lunchtime on Monday.

Reynolds was again the architect in some terrific build-up play that ended with Ollie Knight, who had missed a decent chance moments earlier, making amends with a low side-foot drive (pictured) that killed the game and avoided a possible banana skin.

Enfield’s response was to get over-physical with some meaty challenges that fortunately didn’t result in any injuries and in the end we could have had five or six, the best of the late chances falling to substitute Harry Lodovica who was unable to make clear contact from two yards out and fellow sub Avan Jones who thrashed the ball against the woodwork in stoppage time.

The only downside to a dominant display was the idiot who let off a couple of flares but he is believed to have been escorted from the ground.

The home side’s misery was compounded late on by what looked like a serious ACL injury to substitute Kieran Southgate who went down in the corner screaming with pain after an innocuous coming together with Xavier Benjamin and was stretchered off.

Afterwards Gavin Macpherson gratiously  visited the stricken Southgate in the dressing room before giving his verdict on a disciplined, professional performance and some outstanding individual displays.

“We probably should have scored a few more but the most pleasing thing is that I’m seeing the team doing the types of things we want them to do,” he said.

“Putting the ball in the net has been our nemesis but hopefully we’ve turned the corner. Even though we were the Step 2 side it was tough game for a multitude of well-chronicled reasons but we detached ourselves from the emotion of the occasion and I’m delighted to be in the hat.”

Town: Forster. Benjamin, Thompson, Donaldson; Leonard (Macarthur 60), Gallimore, Bullas (Jones 85), Knight (Parcell, 75), Adom-Malaki; Youngs (Wood 71), Reynolds (Lodovica 70)

Forget the hype surrounding the game and just concentrate on not slipping up on an obvious banana skin.

That’s the message Gavin Macpherson has given to his players as we enter the FA Cup at the 2^nd qualiying round stage  on Saturday (kickoff 3pm) with a clash against Enfield FC that has generated national as well as local interest and promises to be a highly competitive affair.

No-one needs reminding of how Town have sometimes struggled against lower league sides in cup competitions, last season’s FA Trophy defeat at Sittingbourne – like Enfield FC a Step 4 team –being a case in point. As was the London Senior Cup defeat to Step 5 Athletic Newham. But surely not this time and not in the FA Cup.

Enfield FC, who play in Southern League Division One Central and entered the tournament in the extra preliminary round, have already knocked out Wormley Rovers, Biggleswade Town and Ilford to set up a  mouth-watering encounter that is one of the standout fixtures of the day. Their ranks include striker George Sykes who made  a handful of appearances for Town a couple of years ago.

At stake is not only a place in the next round but the small matter of £3,375 to the winners of the tie, which takes place at Hertingfordbury Park  where Enfield FC  ground share with Hertford Town on an artificial surface.

Last season, we only managed one FA Cup outing having been edged out by fellow Step 2 opponents  Peterborough Sports. It wasn’t the kindest of draws so early in the competition but this time we have a golden opportunity to progress.

“I understand all the history and the differences between the clubs but for me, it’s a Step 4 side away from home,” said Gavin who has at least one injury issue but most of the squad available.

 “The draw could have been a lot worse but I will give them the due respect they deserve because it’s the FA Cup. I’ve been on the other side of it in terms of giant-killing and that’s what our opponents will have in their minds.”

“It’s all about progression. I want a cup run for this club because I want everyone, including all the volunteers and those who been here for years and years, to have some exposure in terms of who we are because there are people here who deserve it.”

While paying on the door is permitted with either cash or card, numbers are limited and you can now secure your tickets on line by clicking on the following link:

https://tickettailor.com/events/enfieldfc.

 Ticket prices are £10 for adults, £5 for OAPs and £1 for children under six accompanied by an adult. Please also use the designated parking area at: County Hall, Pegs Lane, Hertford SG13 8DF

There is also minibus transport leaving the Dave Bryant stadium at 12.30. There are only a few seats left and to book your spot, please text Ram on 07493 425359.

For those unable to attend, there will be the usual excellent live commentary from Michael available via the website. If the game is drawn, there will be a replay on Tuesday.

AW