Enfield Town FC

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Enfield Town 2 Brentwood Town 3

Goals galore in competitive friendly

Town went down by the odd goal in five for the second behind-closed-doors friendly in a row; on both occasions the outcome being impacted by a raft of half-time trialist substitutions.

In a competitive encounter at the Donkey Lane 3g training facility, Brentwood listed debutant striker Adam Vyse, formerly with Basildon United, in their starting line-up.  From last season’s home squad, Scott Thomas and Lyle Della-Verde were making their first 2020-21 appearances.

An end-to-end opening saw Brentwood have the more clear-cut chances. Midfielder Joe Wicks was denied by a last-ditch tackle, while Andy Freeman and new boy Vyse headed over.  But the hosts were looking solid in their build up play, and in the 28th minute, Sam Hatton found himself with room for a shot, which was charged down, but the defender made no mistake with his second attempt, powering the ball into the net from distance past a despairing trialist in goal.

Nathan McDonald got to the ball a split-second before former Towner Sam Bantick could do any damage and then, eight minutes before the break, he made a double save with his legs to preserve the hosts’ lead going into the break.

Half-time: Enfield Town 1 Brentwood Town 0

Brentwood drew level a couple of minutes into the second half when a trialist’s cross-cum-shot from the right deceived the hosts’ half-time substitute keeper but, after Della-Verde’s effort flew over the angle from inside the box Town retook the lead when another trialist drove home a loose ball with his left foot.

Brentwood equalised through centre-back Rob Swaine and, as the game looked to be finishing all square, the Blues won it at the death when a cross from the left found Rob Harvey in acres of space and he tucked it home seconds before the final whistle blew time on a good workout for both sides.

Enfield Town starting line-up: Nathan McDonald, Sam Hatton, 3 Trialists, Scott Thomas, Lyle Della-Verde, Ryan Blackman, 2 Trialists, Lewis Taaffe.  At half time, only Lyle Della Verde and one of the trialists stayed on while Sam Youngs, Junior Mibiayi and seven trialists came on.  Steve Wales had a run-out around the hour mark.