Enfield Town FC

Report

AGONY FOR TOWN

Peterborough Sports 2 Enfield Town 2 (Sports win 5-4 on penalties) – match report by Ram Ismail

Town admirably slugged it out toe-to-toe against the favourites for the Southern League Premier Central Division title and fell fractionally short in the “new normal” FA Cup format of no replays, no extra time and penalties to decide the outcome of ties level at 90 minutes. It was a crual way to exit the competition, having done so well to pull the game back to parity with only a few minutes left.

The visitors got off to a flying start when a long throw from Josh Urquhart, playing at left back following an injury to Lee Chappell at the weekend, launched a long throw into the home box and Jeremiah Gyebi got onto the end of it, flicking the ball in with his head at the far post in the fourth minute.

On the break, the pacy Maniche Sani rounded Nathan McDonald after a Town move had broken down but shot wide at an angle.  Then Sports’ keeper Lewis Elsom thwarted Percy Kiangebeni with a low stop.

The hosts drew level after 29 minutes, after an almighty scramble following a corner ended with Brad McGowan forcing the ball over the line. In reply, a Shaun Okojie header was saved on the line by Elsom and Bricknell’s shot clipped the home crossbar.

Half-time: Peterborough Sports 1 Enfield Town 1

The second period was barely a couple of minutes old when Jordan Nicholson drew a fine save out of McDonald but, after hitting the woodwork, Sports edged into the lead in the 52nd minute when Mark Jones netted after McDonald had parried another Nicholson effort.

After 68 minutes Ryan Blackman controlled the ball with his chest, drove at the home back line and set up Sam Youngs inside the box, but the midfielder shot wide under pressure. On 77 minutes, Lyle Della-Verde jinked through but shot at Elsom from 15 yards out.

Town deservedly drew level after 83 minutes when a Bricknell through ball released Okojie, who subsequently went off with an injury, and the tall striker beat Elsom one-on-one to set up a nerve jangling final few minutes. A Town free kick on the edge of the Sports box was fired over as referee Luke Scott brought a breathless, entertaining cup tie to a close and signalled the start of the penalty shoot-out.

For the record, Town’s successful spot kicks were converted by Della-Verde, Youngs, Lewis Taaffe and Urquhart.  Bricknell was unsuccessful (saved).  Sports’ scorers were Dan Lawlor, Dion Sembie-Ferris, Mitch Griffiths, Sani, and Lewis Hilliard.

Peterborough Sports: Lewis Elsom, Dan Jarvis (Mitch Griffiths 59), Matty Miles, Brad McGowan, Richard Jones, Dan Lawlor, Dion Sembie-Ferris, Josh McCammon, Mark Jones (Lewis Hilliard 82), Maniche Sani, Jordan Nicholson (Josh Moreman 76). Unused subs: Cameron Johnson, Paul Malone, Dan Bucciero, Johnny Herd. Booked: Hilliard.

Enfield Town: Nathan McDonald, Percy Kiangebeni (Jon Muleba 81) Josh Urquhart, Scott Thomas, Marc Weatherstone, Jeremiah Gyebi, Lyle Della-Verde, Sam Youngs, Billy Bricknell, Shaun Okojie (Lewis Taaffe 90), Ryan Blackman (Jared Small 71). Unused subs: Sam Hatton, Junior Mubiayi, Adam Pepera, Larry Asare. Booked: Blackman, Kiangebeni, Urquhart.

Attendance: 233.