Enfield Town FC

Report

Chesham United 1-3 Enfield Town

Town Break Generals Jinx
Report by Andrew Warshaw

Out of the relegation zone for the first time since August and at last victory against one of our bogey teams.

It goes without saying that this represented one of our most impressive displays of the season – all the more so given the fact that Gavin Macpherson faced yet another last selection headache in the buildup to the game.

Already without the unavailable Henry Hawkins, the management team also lost Xavier Benjamin who, having completed a three-match ban, fell ill late Friday.

Only league leaders Dorking, who did us a huge favour by beating Welling, now have a better record than Town over the last six games – testament to a rebuilt squad, hard work, shrewd management, organisation and togetherness.

With their revamped back line, it took Town a while to settle into a rhythm on a pitch that increasingly cut up. But once they had withstood Chesham’s early forays, they moved into the ascendancy and took the lead with their first meaningful attack, Sam Youngs (who else?) profiting from some neat interplay between Anointed Chukwu and Hisham Kasimu to shoot home.

A goal-saving block from Mickey Parcell after Jack Bates momentarily lost concentration preserved the lead before the ever reliable Adam Thompson lost the sole of his boot on the rain-soaked surface.

Such was Tommo’s dedication to the cause that, unable to play with half a boot, he kicked off the rest of it and carried on in a sock before being given permission to change footwear.

Town continued to look relatively comfortable but needed a second to put some breathing space between them and the hosts. They should have got it when Kasimu, on his favoured left foot, shot weakly at the keeper when put through in a one-on-one.

Luckily, it didn’t cost his team and he made up for it soon after, his cross-shot taking a rebound and falling to Youngs who doubled his and Town’s tally on the stoke of halftime.

H-T 0-2

With Welling losing, you sensed this was a huge 45 minutes for Town but the sight of Youngs limping off with a tight hamstring didn’t augur well as he gave way to Jack Smith.

Mitchell Weiss was a toe poke away from getting on the scoresheet for the hosts but midway through the second half the Generals did half the deficit  as Alex Lafleur headed goalwards and Nathan Minhas, off the bench, nodded home.

The momentum was now with Chesham who began ominously to pick up the majority of second balls.

Earlier in the season we may have capitulated but these days there is a steeliness about us, exemplified by the leadership of Thompson. Not only did we manage to fend Chesham off but snatched a crucial third to relieve the pressure. On 83 minutes, Kasimu was again the provider, showing great balance to set up Ollie Knight – back in a Town shirt – who finished sweetly (pictured) having earlier come off the bench to replace Chukwu.

With time running out, Charlie Stallard, impressively growing into his wing-back role, produced two thumping defence-clearing headers to stave off what might have been nervy finish.

“We had to fight hard and the boys stood up to it after another horrendous buildup after Xav called in sick,” said Gav. “Some people wouldn’t have given us a prayer but we deserved it. I’m pleased for Ollie Knight because he has shaken off an injury and come back a more professional human being.”

“The key now is for the boys not to believe in their own press however much people ramp it up because we’re still fifth from bottom.”

Town: Forster; Parcell, Thompson, Oyenuga; Leonard, Brown, Bates, Youngs (Smith 51), Stallard; Chukwu (Knight 74), Kasimu (Hutchinson, 93).