Enfield Town 1 St Albans City 1

Report by Andrew Warshaw

Enfield Town moved ever closer to the Great Escape as we extended our unbeaten run to eight games watched by a  record crowd of 2,499 who produced a sizzling Good Friday atmosphere for our biggest fixture of the season.

While nothing is yet officially decided, there is little doubt that the result suited Town much more than St Albans and we now need just a point to secure our National League South status.

Hopefully that will come at Boreham Wood on Monday but even if we slip up, we will get over the line anyway if St Albans – still six points behind us –  fail to beat arch-rivals Hemel Hempstead on the same afternoon while Salisbury dropping more points could also work in our favour.

Gavin Macpherson made a single change from the win at Chelmsford, Adam Thompson replacing Charlie Stallard in front of an expectant attendance crammed into three sides of the stadium with the new stand still under construction.

With so much at stake, however, the action on the pitch didn’t quite match the big build-up or sense of occasion.

To be fair St Albans were the more composed side for large parts and had the best player on the pitch in on-loan teenage winger Olly Davis.

The visitors twice should have gone in front early  doors. Sean Jeffers beat the offside trap but shot tamely with only Joe Wright to beat. Then Joe palmed away Davis’ effort after the Ipswich loanee cut in from the left.

At the other end, Cian Dillon screwed his shot wide when presented with a golden chance by Bailey Brown’s superb defence-splitting pass.

The deadlock was broken on 17 minutes when a long throw was allowed to bounce across the Enfield box and Zane Banton rifled the ball home at the far post.

The lead only last five minutes, however. A teasing Billy Leonard cross got St Albans skipper and keeper Michael Johnson in all kinds of a muddle under pressure from Dillon who got the last touch.

Former Towner Ken Charles struck another warning shot across our bows while Davis, when clean through, thankfully took too heavy a touch.

Mickey Parcell went into the referee’s book for illegally trying to halt another forward run by the impressive Ipswich loanee but it wasn’t all one way as Jack Bates, perhaps our most potent weapon the day, forced Michael Johnson into a decent stop at the second attempt.

H-T 1-1

After a breathless first half, neither side could fashion enough creativity to find a winner though St Albans continue to pose the greater threat with some neat interplay. Charles, leaning back, shot over, then forced Wright into a sprawling stop.

But Town’s vastly improving defence was in no mood to be punctured a second time, the back three again showing why they have proved so crucial in recent weeks.

And twice we could have won it late on. A fierce Bates drive was too hot to handle for Johnson who just managed to clear the rebound from two on-rushing Town players. Then Brown played a one-two with Dillon, only for his chip to land inches wide of the post when it looked for all the world to have nestled in the corner.

Ultimately a lack of composure cost us but in the scheme of things, a draw was no bad outcome.

Bottom at New Year, a point at Boreham Wood on Monday will, miraculously, seal the deal while anything but a St Albans’ win will also maintain our National League South status.

What a party that would prompt next Saturday when we host title-chasing Worthing for a climax that could end up with both clubs celebrating respective achievements.

“St Albans were always going to push us,” said Gavin. “Scrappy game and we were below par if I’m honest. We would have ideally liked to have got it done before two incredibly difficult games but if you can’t win, make sure you don’t lose. I can’t fault their battling qualities but maybe the occasion got to a few of them and they’re going to have to snap of that very quickly.”

“It’s squeeky bum time but St Albans have got to pick up maximum points and Salisbury have got to get at least three so were still in the driving seat.”

Enfield (3-5-2)

Wright; Benjamin, Thompson, Hawkins; Leonard, Bates (Sidwell, 80), Brown (Stallard 92), Parcell, Peake (Knight 66); Youngs, Dillon (Chukwu 87)

Today’s crunch fixture with St Albans could well sell out.

Any supporters wishing to come to the game (kickoff 3pm) and who have not yet bought tickets are advised to do so asap in advance as we cannot guarantee on-the-gate sales

The ticket link is:

https://enfieldtownfc.ktckts.com/event/245match22/enfield-town-vs-st-albans-city

Play without pressure. That will be the message Gavin Macpherson imparts to his players when they step out tomorrow afternoon for our biggest game since that euphoric play-off final just under a year ago.

A seven-match unbeaten run has put us in the box seat for the Great Escape which will be sealed with victory over St Albans in front of  what is expected to be a crowd upwards of 2,000.

Anyone who hasn’t yet bought a ticket in advance is advised to do rather than pay on the gate for what will be another momentous “I was there” occasion if we manage to preserve our National League South status (link at bottom).

With two more outings thereafter, even a draw would maintain our six-point lead over St Albans and also keep our noses in front of Salisbury who are also battling for survival.

What we definitely don’t want is our inferior goal difference to end up ultimately playing a part.

 “We all know the permutations of winning the game,” said Gavin. “It would far surpass anything this club has ever done. There are no trophies or medals on offer but it would be bigger than what we experienced almost a year ago.”

“To be honest I’m very surprised St Albans are where they are. At the start of the season I thought they might be in a playoff position. Both of us are fighting for our lives so I expect both sides to leave everything on the pitch. It’s impossible for me to have shielded the boys from what this game is about but the message will be to play without pressure given what they have achieved in recent weeks.”

Gavin admits that retaining our Step 2 status in front of our own fans tomorrow would be extra special rather than have to wait till Easter Monday at Boreham Wood, pending results that day. Nor does  anyone want it to  come down to our final-day showdown at home to title contenders Worthing.

“Ideally you want to maintain your status as quickly as you can,” said Gavin. “If that is at home, it puts the cherry on the cake. It will be terrific to have the majority of the supporters behind us. They’ve been superb all season, filling the away end on a regular basis.”

In terms of team news, John Oyenuga is the only confirmed absentee because of private matter known for weeks. Everyone else is fit to go including the returning Adam Thompson.

“Let’s not forget, St Albans is not quite a winner-takes-all situation,” said Gavin. “If we don’t get the points, we go again. We can talk till the cows come home about what might or might not happen but the fact is, it’s in our hands. The plan is to get it sorted so we don’t have to worry about the last two games.”

https://enfieldtownfc.ktckts.com/event/245match22/enfield-town-vs-st-albans-city

AW

Sell-Out Crowds Expected for St Albans and Worthing

We’re anticipating full houses for our upcoming matches against St Albans and Worthing. To make your journey smoother, we strongly encourage using public transport. Here are the closest options:  

– Bus Stop ‘Cambridge Gardens Stops U & Z’, Great Cambridge Road – 390m-460m, 5-6 min walk  

– Bus Stop ‘Baynes Close Stops C & M’, Carterhatch Lane – 440m-460m, 5-6 min walk  

– Bus Stop ‘Ladysmith Road/Carterhatch Lane Stop D’, Carterhatch Lane – 800m, 10 min walk  

– Enfield Town Station, Southbury Road – 1.7km, 21 min walk  

– Southbury Station, Southbury Road – 1.9km, 25 min walk  

Cycle to the Game!

With the fantastic weather we’re having, why not ride to the match? Take advantage of our onsite bike racks and enjoy the fresh air.

Your Guide to Borehamwood Away

Boreham Wood Football Club has released ticket information for visiting supporters attending an upcoming match at the Mangata Pay UK Stadium, Meadow Park. With a limited allocation for away fans, here’s everything you need to know to secure your spot and plan your visit.

Ticket Allocation and Pricing

A total of 1,250 spectator seats are available for away supporters, with 359 covered seats in the West Stand allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis. The remaining allocation consists of uncovered standing areas along the South and South East terraces. Ticket prices are as follows:

• Adult: £18.00 (pre-match day), £20.00 (match day)
• OAP (Over 65): £16.00 (pre-match day), £18.00 (match day)
• Under 20: £10.00 (pre-match day), £12.00 (match day)
• Under 14*: £6.00 (pre-match day), £8.00 (match day)
• Under 5*: £2.00 (pre-match day and match day)
  *Must be accompanied by an adult.

Tickets can be pre-purchased for away supporters through the following link: www.borehamwoodfootballclub.co.uk/away-tickets-2. For any ticketing inquiries, contact the ticket office at ticketofficer@borehamwoodfootballclub.co.uk or call 020 8953 5097.

Important Notes for Away Supporters

Boreham Wood FC has clarified that they do not provide complimentary tickets for visiting players or staff and will not request any for their own away games. For more detailed information for visiting supporters, check the club’s match centre: www.borehamwoodfootballclub.co.uk/match-centre.

Parking Information

Supporters are advised to park at Brook Road car park (postcode: WD6 5HH), accessible via the South Stand Turnstiles. Note that parking charges may apply. Alternatively, parking is available at the Hertsmere Council Civic car park (WD6 1WA), a 5-minute walk from the stadium, though charges may also apply there.

Fans must complete the car parking list at least 48 hours before the fixture. The club emphasizes that the car park is managed by an external organization, and failure to provide vehicle registration numbers may result in a penalty.

Plan your visit to Mangata Pay UK Stadium and cheer on your team with these essential details!

Chelmsford City 1 Enfield Town 2

Report by Andrew Warshaw

Without tempting fate, we’re almost there! Rock bottom at New Year, Enfield Town stretched their unbeaten run to seven games with arguably one of our most impressive displays of the season as we came from behind to open up a six-point gap above the drop zone.

With both St Albans and Salisbury going down, the latter suprisingly to relegated Aveley, it was almost the perfect day as goals from Bailey Brown and Jack Bates cancelled out Chelmsford’s opener as we took a giant step towards safety, leapfrogging Salisbury into 19^th place as well as distancing ourselves further from St Albans.

Gavin Macpherson’s pre-match comments about momentum being all-important could not have been better exemplified as we dominated most of the game and got our reward, celebrated wildly by a large away following who knew the significance of the result and cheered Gavin’s name to the rafters.

Despite once again missing Adam Thompson, Town were as solid at the back as they have been in recent weeks, the only change being Jack Bates for Anointed Chukwu with Sam Youngs playing alongside the tenacious Cian Dillon up top.

After a three-minute delay while one of the nets was repaired, Town immediately grabbed the initiative as Youngs, showing great control, saw Ted Collins off his line and volleyed just wide.

Xavier Benjamin then found Dillon with a superb pass through the lines, only for no-one to keep pace to convert the latter’s pullback.

A clearance off the line after a Collins spill kept Chelmsford in it but Town continued to pose the greater threat until, on 28 minutes, we went behind against the run of play.

Joe Wright rushed off his line to clear a one-on-one with his knees but only succeeded in losing out to Kane Crichlow whose ball to Charlie Ruff was swept into the net despite the efforts of two Town defenders to keep it out.

As Town responded, Youngs and Brown both went close while Ruff blazed over at the end of a half that in no way reflected the scoreline.

H-T 0-1

Carrying where we left off, Town took just five minutes to restore parity as Brown latched on to Mickey Parcell’s chipped ball and equalised  with a superb finish across goal (pictured).

 It was no less than we deserved but every team has its spell in nearly every game and Chelmsford, briefly, now had theirs.

But they were unable to find a way through as two magnificent sliding tackles – first by Parcell, then Henry Hawkins – said everything about our resilience of late.

It was just the incentive we needed to go on and win the game. Bates’ rising snapshot was tipped over by Collins but Jack wasn’t finished yet. On 75 minutes, he burst through on goal and  slotted the ball through Collins’ legs, sending the sizeable Town end, who outsung the home fans throughout, into raptures.

Ex-Towner favourite Ryan Blackman came off the Chelmsford bench but fortunately didn’t affect proceedings. Nor did two disallowed late goals. Chelmsford thought they’d equalised, only for Crichlow’s 85th minute effort to be ruled narrowly offside. Then Town sub Hisham Kasimu’s close-range effort was also chalked off for a high kick by Hawkins.

 Now attention turns to the mother of all local derbies on Good Friday when victory  over St. Albans will preserve our National League South status while even a draw will keep us in the box seat for the Great Escape.

Before discussing that, Gavin was quick to pay his respects to Clarets boss Robbie Simpson who missed the game through a family bereavement.

“He’s gone through something very similar to what I went through and we need to share a thought for that because some things are miles bigger than football,” said Gav.

Turning to St Albans and our last three games, Gavin urged caution until the job is finally done.

“We haven’t yet achieved our goal and we now reset for St Albans. We thoroughly deserved the result today after a travesty of a halftime score. Chelmsford are a really good side but our performance today was above the level we showed at Hemel and this time, we found the net twice.”

“We’ve taken a huge step forward but I’ve said to the players they have to re-programme quickly. There musn’t be any talk of we’ve done it –  until we have.”

Town

  Wright; Bates (Sidwell 86’), Benjamin, Peake (Kasimu 83), Youngs, Dillon (Oyenuga 83), Leonard, Brown, Hawkins, Stallard, Parcell

By Andrew Warshaw

With four games to go, starting at Chelmsford tomorrow, Gavin Macpherson has opened up on the importance of squad bonding as we maintain our quest for Step 2 survival.

The visit to Essex has come slightly too soon for Adam Thompson who again misses out but is hoping to be fit for the mother of all clashes against St. Albans on Good Friday. Otherwise there are no new injury concerns for a game Gavin believes will be a lot tougher than our last three, all of which yielded draws.

“Adam has a slight ankle injury that is almost repaired and needs another couple of days,” Gavin said. “Every game now is being scrutinised. I can’t influence what St. Albans do, we have to look after our own camp.”

Salisbury have by far the easiest run-in on paper of the three clubs fighting to stay up including games against already relegated Aveley and Weymouth but Gavin is trusting both to fight on.

  “These teams have not given up their season and are still running hard and playing without pressure.  I’d be surprised if they just roll over.”

“I want to get enough points as quickly as we can. Chelmsford are an extremely balanced, well- established Step 2 side and I expect a much harder game than Hemel last time out. The way I look at it as we’ve been a goalscorer short of being a top-half team though defensively we are up there with the best over recent weeks, notwithstanding our goal difference which was particularly damaging early on.”

Manager of the month awards often end up being a proverbial curse and in typical vein, Gavin is playing down his award for March in typically understated vein.

 “I don’t place too much store on these awards and just want to get on with it,” said Gavin who disclosed that he had a deeper than usual private chat with the players at training on Thursday about the bigger picture of life outside football.

“I told them about some of the things that have happened in my life, including my brother, and how the club assisted me in navigating through that and how much of a help that was. It was designed to let them know I’m with them as regards the life struggles that sometimes come round. We’ve had a few personal issues within the camp and I wanted them to know they are not on their own and how much, psychologically, camaraderie can help and act as a kind of therapy.”

Continuing on the same theme, Gavin added: “We are a team with a bit of momentum at the moment in terms of the form table but once you get it, you can’t afford to lose it.  The point of the discussion was to bring a human side to the narrative and acknowledge that the boys have fought tooth and nail for the badge after going through something of a transition.”

Gavin revealed that he had been instrumental in arranging a straw poll among Town fans in terms of what the club meant to them. Why?

“I wanted the players to know, if they didn’t already, where the club has come from and how the supporters see themselves.”

“We put a collage together and fed the quotes back to the players. The community aspect is key to the inner workings and morals of the club. I did an analogy with other clubs who maybe only get more fans once they are doing well. That’s the measure of Town supporters rather than fair weather fans who sometimes only come out as and when.”

Footnote:

Just a reminder that we have live commentary on all four remaining games. Tomorrow’s link is: https://mjl99.mixlr.com/

Also don’t forget to buy your tickets in advance for the St Albans and Worthing games on the following links:

https://enfieldtownfc.ktckts.com/event/245match22/enfield-town-vs-st-albans-city

https://enfieldtownfc.ktckts.com/event/245match23/enfield-town-vs-worthing

We are delighted to announce that Gavin Macpherson has been named March’s Vanarama Manager of the Month for National League South

Following defeat to Dorking on the first day of the month, Town went five games unbeaten in March, picking up 11 points out of a possible 15 in our push for Step 2 survival.

Everyone at the club would like to congratulate Gavin on his award though he would like it to be known that it was as a result of a collective team effort by players and management staff alike.

Hemel Hempstead 1 Enfield Town 1

Report by Martin Bentley

Enfield Town’s clash with Hemel Hempstead fizzled out into a disappointing 1-1 draw at a warm sunny Vauxhall Road on Saturday but survival is still very much in our hands.

Gavin Macpherson may have rued his side conceding an equaliser but the outcome was actually not too bad a result, as a draw for St Albans and defeat for Salisbury saw Town hold on to 20^th position with a three-point cushion and just four games left to play.

 Gavin made several changes, starting with a new strike force of Anointed Chukwu and on-loan Cian Dillon, his first start.

Indeed, Dillon announced himself with a high-speed gallop down the left in the opening seconds as Town started the game very much on the front foot.

Sam Youngs had already had a header saved by home keeper Jameson Horlick before Town took a fourth-minute lead. Bayley Brown ploughed through the middle before feeding Billy Leonard on the right wing and Leonard’s cross was nodded in at the far post by Lennon Peake.

 Town might have doubled their lead in the 16^th minute when Chukwu’s effort was blocked by Horlick, the rebound finding its way to Leonard on the edge of the box, only for his shot to be hacked off the line by Mazeed Ogungbo.

Youngs then headed Peake’s corner wide as Town continued to ask questions but Hemel were slowly gaining a greater share of possession.

The dangerous Ollie Lynch had an effort ruled out for offside and a shot blocked within the space of four minutes as the Tudors finished the half on top.

  H-T 0-1

The interval saw Hemel substitute a presumably injured Lynch, much to Town’s relief, but apart from a Leonard shot that was saved comfortably by Horlick, there was very little to excite the spectators in the opening 20 minutes of the half.

 On 66 minutes, however, Hemel found an equaliser with their first meaningful shot. Ajayi’s flick-on found  an unmarked Joe White, who beat the advancing Joe Wright comfortably.

 The game seemed to fizzle out at this point, probably due to the unseasonably high temperatures; the final half hour was a frustrating series of mishit passes and wayward crossing.

However the Tudors might have nicked all three points when Ogungbo sent a free header inexplicably wide of Wright’s left-hand post.

Three straight draws now for Town and suddenly that St Albans game on Good Friday looks more and more crucial.

 Town

Wright, Benjamin, Hawkins, Stallard, Leonard (Oyenuga 88), Parcell, Brown, Peake (Knight 80), Youngs, Chukwu (Bates 64), Dillon (Kasimu 90)

Enfield Town FC is thrilled to announce a special event for football fans and local supporters alike. On Friday, 4th April 2025, the club will host an unforgettable evening with two legends of the game, Alf D’Arcy and Steve Perryman.

A Night of Stories and Insights

This event promises to be a unique opportunity for fans to hear personal stories, insights, and experiences from Alf D’Arcy and Steve Perryman, both of whom have left an indelible mark on the sport. The evening will include a Q&A session, giving attendees the chance to engage directly with these football icons. Whether you’re a lifelong supporter or a newcomer to the game, this is a rare chance to connect with the history and passion of football through the eyes of two local legends.

Event Details

• Date: Friday, 4th April 2025
• Time: Doors open at 7:00 PM
• Location: Butler’s Bar, Enfield Town FC, Donkey Lane, EN1 3PL
• Tickets: £20.00

Tickets are available for purchase now at enfieldtownfc.ktckts.com. Given the limited capacity and high demand for such an exclusive event, fans are encouraged to secure their spots early to avoid disappointment.

Supporting a Great Cause

The evening is proudly presented in association with The Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust, a cause close to the hearts of many in the football community. By attending, you’ll not only enjoy a memorable night but also contribute to raising awareness and support for this important charity.

First Supporters Mini Bus Sold Out

Great news for fans – the first supporters mini bus is now fully booked! Due to high demand, we’re looking to arrange a second mini bus to get more of you to the game. However, we need a willing additional driver to make this happen. If you’d like to volunteer or discuss this opportunity further, please contact us at 07493 425359 or email community@etfc.london. We’d love to hear from you!

Specially Reduced Admission Prices

We’re excited to offer specially reduced ticket prices for matchday:

• Adults: £10.00
• Concessions (OAPs): £5.00
• Under 18s: £5.00
• Under 10s: Free (when accompanied by a paying adult)

Additionally, if you’re a season ticket holder at another club, you can enjoy entry for just £5 – simply show your season ticket at the gate. Tickets are available for purchase at the turnstiles on matchday or online via the ticket office here: Fanbase Ticket Office.

Parking Information

For those driving to the game, parking in the club car park is available on a first-come, first-served basis at a cost of £5 per car. Alternatively, free parking is available nearby in Longlands and Queens Square – check the attached map for details.

Please Note: Parking is strictly controlled, so plan ahead to secure your spot!

We can’t wait to see you at the game – thank you for your continued support! For any questions or to volunteer as a driver, don’t hesitate to get in touch.