Enfield Town 1 St Albans City 1
Report by Andrew Warshaw
Enfield Town moved ever closer to the Great Escape as we extended our unbeaten run to eight games watched by a record crowd of 2,499 who produced a sizzling Good Friday atmosphere for our biggest fixture of the season.
While nothing is yet officially decided, there is little doubt that the result suited Town much more than St Albans and we now need just a point to secure our National League South status.
Hopefully that will come at Boreham Wood on Monday but even if we slip up, we will get over the line anyway if St Albans – still six points behind us – fail to beat arch-rivals Hemel Hempstead on the same afternoon while Salisbury dropping more points could also work in our favour.
Gavin Macpherson made a single change from the win at Chelmsford, Adam Thompson replacing Charlie Stallard in front of an expectant attendance crammed into three sides of the stadium with the new stand still under construction.
With so much at stake, however, the action on the pitch didn’t quite match the big build-up or sense of occasion.
To be fair St Albans were the more composed side for large parts and had the best player on the pitch in on-loan teenage winger Olly Davis.
The visitors twice should have gone in front early doors. Sean Jeffers beat the offside trap but shot tamely with only Joe Wright to beat. Then Joe palmed away Davis’ effort after the Ipswich loanee cut in from the left.
At the other end, Cian Dillon screwed his shot wide when presented with a golden chance by Bailey Brown’s superb defence-splitting pass.
The deadlock was broken on 17 minutes when a long throw was allowed to bounce across the Enfield box and Zane Banton rifled the ball home at the far post.
The lead only last five minutes, however. A teasing Billy Leonard cross got St Albans skipper and keeper Michael Johnson in all kinds of a muddle under pressure from Dillon who got the last touch.
Former Towner Ken Charles struck another warning shot across our bows while Davis, when clean through, thankfully took too heavy a touch.
Mickey Parcell went into the referee’s book for illegally trying to halt another forward run by the impressive Ipswich loanee but it wasn’t all one way as Jack Bates, perhaps our most potent weapon the day, forced Michael Johnson into a decent stop at the second attempt.
H-T 1-1
After a breathless first half, neither side could fashion enough creativity to find a winner though St Albans continue to pose the greater threat with some neat interplay. Charles, leaning back, shot over, then forced Wright into a sprawling stop.
But Town’s vastly improving defence was in no mood to be punctured a second time, the back three again showing why they have proved so crucial in recent weeks.
And twice we could have won it late on. A fierce Bates drive was too hot to handle for Johnson who just managed to clear the rebound from two on-rushing Town players. Then Brown played a one-two with Dillon, only for his chip to land inches wide of the post when it looked for all the world to have nestled in the corner.
Ultimately a lack of composure cost us but in the scheme of things, a draw was no bad outcome.
Bottom at New Year, a point at Boreham Wood on Monday will, miraculously, seal the deal while anything but a St Albans’ win will also maintain our National League South status.
What a party that would prompt next Saturday when we host title-chasing Worthing for a climax that could end up with both clubs celebrating respective achievements.
“St Albans were always going to push us,” said Gavin. “Scrappy game and we were below par if I’m honest. We would have ideally liked to have got it done before two incredibly difficult games but if you can’t win, make sure you don’t lose. I can’t fault their battling qualities but maybe the occasion got to a few of them and they’re going to have to snap of that very quickly.”
“It’s squeeky bum time but St Albans have got to pick up maximum points and Salisbury have got to get at least three so were still in the driving seat.”
Enfield (3-5-2)
Wright; Benjamin, Thompson, Hawkins; Leonard, Bates (Sidwell, 80), Brown (Stallard 92), Parcell, Peake (Knight 66); Youngs, Dillon (Chukwu 87)