Enfield Town 3 Chesham United 4

Report by Andrew Warshaw

Was this the evening that sealed Enfield Town’s fate after throwing away a two-goal lead?

Certainly, there was an air of despondency verging on resignation after we inexplicably capitulated and are now clinging on for dear life with only five games left and still  eight points from Farnborough and safety – a not impossible but highly improbable task.

If results go against us, we could even be relegated on Easter Monday but it would grossly unfair to throw the book at either players or management

The fact is we are competing with clubs who have huge private investment and multiple revenue streams. We all love the fan-owned model. Indeed, that is the charm of our club.  But it comes with inevitable caveats. Gavin Macpherson said from the start that because National League South is so much stronger this season, it would be a far tougher challenge than last year when we survived on the final day. And so it has proved.

There are other mitigating circumstances. The fact that fellow relegation candidates Bath City have been in National League South since 2012 – and full-time Eastbourne Borough for 14 years – demonstrates there are no guarantees at this level. Eastbourne, remember, have actually announced they are preparing to go part-time because of the financial blow relegation might entail.

 You cut your cloth accordingly and it’s no coincidence that it’s the part-time clubs in the main who are in danger of the drop. The fact is Town have been punching above their weight for two seasons.

And just to quash an untimely rumour doing the rounds, suggestions that Gavin has already decided to leave are both misleading and unsubstantiated. He is firmly focussed on the remaining five games.

That’s not to say he wasn’t furious at how events unfolded on Tuesday. To score three times and not get anything out a game is highly frustrating to say the least especially as it’s traditionally been in the final third where we’ve been lacking.

Town made one change for the must-win of all must-win games, with Hayden Bullas – recalled by Orient to play for their under-21s — replaced by Billy Leonard.

In a nervy, scrappy start, the visitors arguably looked the more composed side, Jayden Bennetts – Chesham’s most dangerous player – seeing his goalbound sidefoot diverted over by Nino Adom-Malaki.

The Generals were using overlaps to good effect but on 17 minutes Town went in front in a move started and finished by the evergreen Sam Young, stabbing home after fine work by Leonard and Ollie Knight.

Seven minutes later and Town doubled their lead. Henry Hawkins went on a thrilling Frank Beckenbauer-style charge through the middle of the pitch and Knight was on hand to provide the support play and slot the ball home.

A suspicion of handball by Adom-Malaki was waved away but 2-0, as they say, is a dangerous scoreline. Five minutes before the break and Chesham were back in it, albeit courtesy of slack defending when Bennetts was allowed to pick his spot.

H-T

The next goal was always going to prove crucial and it went to Chesham moments after the break when Sam Youngs inadvertently headed into his own net whilst trying to clear.

What could go wrong thereafter did go wrong.

 Mickey Parcell had already gone off injured towards the end of the first half with what looked like a recurrence of his old problem and by the hour mark Chesham had turned the game on its head, former Towner Samson Esen doing the damage on both occasions.

 First, a Chesham corner wasn’t dealt with properly and Esen prodded home. Then, with Bennetts again involved, Esen was given far too much time to turn the ball home for 4-2 amid stunned incredulity.

 A Lamar Reynolds belter reduced the arrears but Xav Benjamin became the second injury victim and in the dying moments of normal time, Hawkins – just after having headed against the woodwork for what would have been 4-4 — received a second yellow for the softest of fouls. Consistently one of Town’s best performers, he will be sorely missed for the journey to Weston-super-Mare.

With Adam Thompson still out and Paul Appiah ineligible against his parent club Chelmsford on Good Friday, Town’s defensive options are getting slimmer by the game.

Perhaps the biggest positive to take home was a 30-minute cameo display by Jake Cass whose strength and power won a late freekick (pictured) and augurs well for the final few outings – however significant they may or may not prove to be.

“To let a 2-0 lead slip in the manner we did is criminal,” said Gavin. “Our basic desire to defend our box in the second half just wasn’t there.”

“I’m not going to dress this up as something it’s not. I understand people thinking it’s over. But I will not let the team capitulate in the final few games because there is accountability to our supporters who watch us week-in, week-out. Giving up is not in my make-up.”

Town

Wright; Benjamin (Donaldson 71), Hawkins, Appiah; Leonard, Parcell (Traore 43), Youngs, Knight (Ackeson 83), Adom-Malaki; Reynolds, Andrews (Cass 60)