Enfield Town FC

Report

Bath City 0-1 Enfield Town

Town Toil to First Away Win
Report by Martin Bentley

A Billy Leonard goal early in the second half was sufficient to give Enfield Town their second victory of the season against a well-organised Bath City side. The win has taken Town up two places to 21^st in the Vanarama National League South, which, although irrelevant at this stage of the season, has at least made it possible to peep at the League table without wincing!

Gavin Macpherson changed both formation and personnel for this one, with a recall for Bernie Tanner into a back three, and Carl Mensah and Harley Mills both returning to the starting line-up. Reece Beckles-Richards also made the starting line-up in place of the injured Harry Ottaway.

There was almost a nasty shock for the 100-odd travelling fans when the home side’s Scott Wilson had an effort disallowed for offside in the 3^rd minute, but chances for Bath were very much at a premium. At the other end, Town managed a Lennon Peake header that flew wide and a Sam Youngs shot from distance that was parried by home keeper Jose Casa-Grande. The home side’s dangerous winger Elliott Frear managed two late efforts, the first bulging the side-netting, the second parried by Rhys Forster.

The second half almost saw Bath break the deadlock after 53 minutes when Ewan Clark cut into the box from the right, but Forster rocketed off his line to parry Clark’s effort. Four minutes later, Town hit the jackpot. Dylan Adjei-Hersey curled in a cross from the right onto the head of Billy Leonard, whose precise header beat Casa-Grande to his right. Bath almost conjured up an immediate reply when the industrious Latrell Humphrey-Ewers had a powerful effort tipped over by the heroic Forster, who played despite dislocating a finger in training the previous week.

Still chances were coming Town’s way; Mills shot wide on 63 minutes and Peake over the bar seven minutes later. Although Bath continued to dominate possession, no more clear chances came their way in the last half hour. The game concluded with Town displaying a slightly surreal formation, with four centre-backs on the field, and defensive midfielder Jack Smith playing as a lone striker. Town dug deep to secure the points late in the game, with stellar performances from Forster, Carl Mensah and Micky Parcell in particular. All in all, a wonderful day out, and a highly satisfying three points.

Team: Forster, Parcell, Mensah, Tanner, Adjei-Hersey, Leshabela, Youngs, Mills, Peake, Beckles-Richards, Leonard

Subs: Smith (for Beckles-Richards 74), Thomas (for Peake 88), Payne (for Mills 88), Nembhard (for Leshabela 90+2)

Unused sub: Benjamin