Enfield Town FC

Report

Welling United 1-0 Enfield Town

Town Clipped by Ten-Man Wings
Report by Martin Bentley

A single first-half goal was sufficient to give Welling three crucial three points against a disappointing Enfield Town, a result rendered all the more frustrating given that Welling managed to miss a penalty and have a player sent off on the hour.

Town were unable to capitalise on either and the result leaves us in 21^st place in the league and four points from safety, with all of the clubs immediately above having games in hand.

Town gave a debut to on-loan defender Dan Cox from Derby, and recalled Dylan Adjei-Hersey and Sam Youngs to the starting line-up.

The first half saw the home side largely in control, with Rhys Forster called into action as early as the 6^th minute, having to tip over Anointed Chukwu’s deflected effort. Town were only able to muster one effort, Youngs’ header drifting harmlessly wide.

Welling got their noses in front on 26 minutes with another maddeningly avoidable goal; Dan Martin’s inswinging corner from the right somehow passing beyond two defenders at the near post and a bewildered Forster.

The pattern of the game remained the same for the rest of the opening 45 minutes, but Town were given a massive let-off right at the end of the half, when Adjei-Hersey’s ill-judged tackle on Alex Lankshear (more of him later) saw the home side awarded a penalty. Martell Taylor-Crossdale proceeded to mishit his spot kick against the crossbar, and Town remained in the game at the interval.

Half Time, 0-1

Little of note happened in the 15 minutes after half time until Town were handed yet another lifeline when Lankshear, having earlier being cautioned for dragging back Adjei-Hersey, was shown a second yellow after flattening Harley Mills right in front of the dugouts.

The dismissal did change the pattern of the game, with Welling happy to concede possession in the middle third, but were able to snuff out the great majority of Town’s attacks. Only Youngs’ header from Lennon Peake’s right-wing cross troubled home keeper Rhys Lovett, and it was the home side who had the best chance of the half with four minutes remaining.

A breakaway found debutant Josh Redfearn in the clear; he rounded Forster only for Xavier Benjamin to block his shot, with Gene Kennedy’s follow-up also being blocked by Cox.

Yet again, a disappointing evening for Town. That mountain is getting steeper with every game.

Team: Forster, Parcell, Benjamin, Cox, Adjei-Hersey, Tuck, Smith, Youngs, Mills, Ottaway, Hutchinson

Subs: Peake (for Smith 66), Beckles-Richards (for Hutchinson 71), Leonard (for Adjei-Hersey 74), Knight (for Mills 84). Not used: Payne

Attendance: 492