Enfield Town 1 Worthing 1

Report by Andrew Warshaw

At halftime on non-league day, Enfield Town were just where they wanted to be. A goal up against high-flying but below-par Worthing courtesy of Nino Adom-Malaki’s blockbuster — and Farnborough losing against Hornchurch.

In the end, however, it was as you were with eight points still separating Town from safety but now only six games left to somehow claw themselves out of trouble.

It’s a tall order by any stretch of the imagination but while there’s life there’s hope and as must-win fixtures go, Town’s final game in hand against Chesham United on Tuesday is as huge as they come if we are to pull off a miraculous great escape. Even then it will be a tough ask.

Gavin Macpherson understandably cut a frustrated and forlorn figure after the game since the equaliser we conceded was avoidable while we could, perhaps should, have been further ahead by then anyway.

Town started cautiously against a side who had won three in a row and are the division’s leading scorers.

After just 30 seconds, Teddy Jenks went close for the visitors who then had a penalty shout waved away.

But we gradually played our way into the game and went in front on 20 minutes when Nino’s 35-yard screamer flashed past Taylor Seymour – a contender for Town goal of the season.

Playing with the wind at their backs and regaining possession quickly, Town suddenly began to take advantage of Worthing’s surprising lack of control in the final third.

Sam Youngs was a whisker away from doubling the lead with a skilful turn and shot, smashing the ball into the side netting. And during a spell of corners,  the woodwork came to Worthing’s rescue to keep out a ricochet.

As halftime approached, another chance went begging as Lamar Reynolds, who troubled the Rebels’ backline all afternoon, unfortunately spooned Ollie Knight’s corner over.

H-T 1-0

Town’s intensity and high press were paying dividends and Lamar screwed wide after a fine exchange with Corie Andrews.

Worthing had been nowhere near their best but,  only one goal behind, were always likely to threaten a comeback.

Joe Wright palmed away a freekick before the Rebels fluffed a gilt-edged chance from six yards out when Ashley Nadesaan couldn’t get a clean connection.

 On 66 minutes, however, the pressure paid off as Jenks, left unmarked, buried a header to restore parity.

With the clock ticking, both Youngs and Knight were unceremoniously bundled over in the box and were incredulous when the ultra-lenient referee again deemed no penalty though there was more than a hint of offside.

It almost proved extremely costly as Worthing came desperately close to winning it in added time, Dolaghan striking the bar with an acrobatic effort.

“I’ve got a disappointed dressing room because we more than matched a very good side,” said Gavin afterwards. “The boys went all out to get the win but when we were on top in the first half that was the time to put it to bed. I thought we had two penalties …we needed decisions to go our way and they didn’t. It’s hard on the legs but we’re still alive and three points is the order of the day for Tuesday.”

Town

Wright; Benjamin, Hawkins, Appiah, Adom-Malaki; Parcell, Youngs, Bullas (Leonard 70); Knight, Reynolds, Andrews (Traore 78). Subs not used: Connolly, Lambert, Donaldson, Ackason, Cass.