Enfield Town go into the first of two potentially season-defining fixtures tomorrow with belief in the camp still strong albeit with the realisation that losing either game will make the task of survival infinitely more difficult.
As six-pointers go, they don’t come much more crucial than the crunch trip to Eastbourne followed by Tuesday’s home showdown with Hampton and Richmond Borough when we simply have to close the gap behind the Beavers.
Training went well on Thursday though Town look to again be without the injured T’Shane Gallimore while Ruaridh Donaldson serves the second of a two-match suspension that would originally have happened on Tuesday night against Dorking had the game not been postponed.
There is also the distinct possibility that we may not see Cian Dillon, whose loan spell has now expired, in a Town shirt for some time – if ever. Because Cian has got injured again, no extension to his loan can be discussed with QPR at least until he has a scan. Having said that, we created enough chances against Torquay to suggest that we are more than capable of finding the net without Cian.
On the plus side, the three new boys have settled in well and defensive midfielder Yacou Traore, in particular, seems to have impressed everyone in training. “I like what I’m seeing, he’s a little fighter,” said Gavin Macpherson.
The fact that neither side can afford to lose tomorrow makes the encounter even more intriguing. While we have lost four of the last five, Eastbourne, who won the corresponding game at the start of November, have lost five on the spin.
Gavin admits he completely understands why Eastbourne and Hampton have generated so much attention but characteristically plays down any sense of win or bust.
“I entirely get why these two games have been built up but season defining, for me, is when you can no longer achieve what you set out to do,” said Gav. “If we don’t get a result, that doesn’t mean we can’t go and beat other teams.”
“I don’t shy away from the fact that we have our own pressures but the bigger pressure is on Eastbourne who would have expected to be much higher in the table. I believe we’re the more relaxed camp. The reality, however, is that the absolute minimum requirement is not to lose either game.”
The postponement of Tuesday’s Dorking fixture gave the players a full week to prepare while Eastbourne were being beaten at Dagenham and Hampton were upsetting the odds against Worthing. But Gavin would have been happy to play the game.
“The performance against Torquay stood us in good stead to have a go at Dorking. But we can only look after ourselves no matter other results. Do I think we can do better? For sure but this season has really brought home how tough this league is, on and off the pitch. Far, far tougher than last time.”
AW