Enfield Town FC

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Town take derby honours

Cheshunt 2 Enfield Town 3

Town celebrated their one thousandth game by winning the A10 derby against local rivals Cheshunt writes Jack Quantrill.

Fans were still making their way from the bar when Billy Bricknell got the Town ahead on a historic day for the club. Sam Youngs had done well to evade challenges from Ambers defenders on the edge of the box and his shot deflected kindly to Bricknell who tapped the ball into the net at an angle.

If Enfield thought this would be an easy match after their early opening goal, they were rudely awakened in the 7^th minute. After they had initially cleared a Cheshunt corner, Zack Newton picked up the ball and drove down the left flank before flashing a cross along the edge of the six yard box which was turned into the top left corner first time by centre back Mo Camara.

The first ten minutes had set the tone for the match with the midfield largely being bypassed by both sides. This approach led to plenty of action around each box, although the Town front line initially struggled to establish themselves against a well-organised Ambers rearguard, who were aerially dominant throughout the game.

The 22^nd minute saw midfielder Sam Youngs provide the healthy travelling contingent with something to celebrate. Town crowded Cheshunt keeper Harry Girling from a corner and Youngs’ inswinging delivery beat everyone, finding its way into the top corner to get Enfield ahead again.

Youngs was excellent on the day and he looked to be relishing his role further forward. Four minutes later he nearly doubled his tally, striking a speculative effort from 30 yards out into the side netting, and, on the half an hour mark, Newton showed flashes of George Best as he jinked past two Town defenders on the edge of the box but was promptly crowded out by a flurry of green shirts.

The 34^th minute brought the hosts level again. Cheshunt worked the ball into the left channel and full back Tanasheh Abrahams flung a deep ball to the back post. It was headed back into the danger area by Camara, who had an eventful game – scoring and assisting from his primarily defensive role – and no. 9 Ryan Moss showed a true striker’s instinct to fire home a volley from close range.

By half time it had been an exciting and even game; both sides having decent spells but neither able to dominate the middle of the pitch.

Half-time: Cheshunt 2 Enfield Town 2

Town started the second half with plenty of intent and created a couple of good chances within the first few minutes. In the 48^th Lyle Della-Verde saw his free kick fly just wide. Then in the 53^rd the visitors had a golden chance to take the lead. Blackman, who was impressive as usual, switched the play to new signing Josh Urqhart, who played a defence-splitting ball from deep, finding Youngs in acres of space, one on one with Girling, but his effort was saved by the keeper.

Just beyond the hour Bricknell provided a moment of magic worthy of the milestone game. Urqhart, having beaten his man down the right hand side, lofted a cross towards Bricknell who, 12 yards from goal, chested the ball up before producing a sublime scissor kick which flew into the bottom corner; Bricknell restating his credentials to fill the goalscoring void left by the departure of Mo Faal.

Town continued to pen the home side in, dominating proceedings. Scott Thomas was excellent throughout the game at winning the ball back and moving it forward on the floor, which was essential in keeping the pressure on Cheshunt in the second period. The final 15 minutes saw the game fizzle out a little bit as the frantic pace relented, but a further highlight for Town came 11 minutes from time when sub Junior Mubiayi showed good initiative by driving down the right hand flank; up against two Cheshunt players, he powered through both before earning the Town a free kick by the corner flag and thus relieving pressure in impressive fashion.

The game was wrapped up and the Theobalds Lane residents showed their class congratulating the Town on their 1000^th game. This performance should put them in good stead for the next few games.

Cheshunt: Harry Girling, Ibrahim Diallo, Tanasheh Abrahams, Adam Crowther, Mo Camara, Sean Cronin, Zack Newton (Joe Re 79), Tommie Hesson-Harris (Norman Wabo 79) Ryan Moss, Reece Beckles-Richards, Jamie Reynolds.  Unused subs: Mark Hughes, Ola Williams, Ethan Nelson-Roberts. Booked: Diallo, Cronin, Abrahams.

Enfield Town: Nathan McDonald, Jon Muleba, Joe Payne, Scott Thomas, Marc Weatherstone, Josh Urqhart, Lyle Della-Verde (Junior Mubiayi 70), Ryan Blackman, Billy Bricknell, Ken Charles (Bobson Bawling 90), Sam Youngs (Glenn Wilson 83). Unused subs: Sam Hatton, Kezie Ibe.

Attendance: 556.