We are pleased to welcome experienced goalkeeper Joe Wright back to the club.

Joe made 95 Enfield Town appearances in his first spell between the sticks, winning the Velocity Trophy with us in 2018-19, and joins having spent the previous few years with Chatham Town and Hornchurch, where he added an Isthmian Premier title and the FA Trophy to his CV.

He will provide immediate cover for Rhys Forster, who suffered concussion in our midweek game against Eastbourne. We wish him a full and speedy recovery.

Enfield Town 0 Eastbourne Borough 5

Report By Andrew Warshaw

Get back on the horse, reset and go again.

That has to be the approach after we suffered a thumping defeat at the hands of Eastbourne Borough on Tuesday in what was effectively our game in hand, ending our six-match unbeaten run in the process.

Another bumper midweek crowd of 781 turned up for we hoped would be another important step towards Step 2 survival but which instead became a chastening evening against full-time opponents who were slicker and sharper all over the pitch.

Without the unavailable Sam Youngs, Jack Smith was handed a rare start while Jake Hutchinson was preferred up front to Anointed Chukwu with the games coming thick and fast.

It took Eastbourne just seven minutes to get their noses in front, Michael Klass using his pace down the right before crossing for George Alexander to head home for his 13^th of the season.

Town hit straight back with successive Jack Bates corners and thought they had equalised from the second, Henry Hawkins’ downward header appearing to cross the line, only to be cleared to safety.

A goal then might have changed the pattern of the game. Instead, we struggled to create much thereafter and on 28 minutes conceded a second. Billy Leonard accidentally headed the ball back into his own area and although Mickey Parcell cleared the danger, Camron Gbadebo swung out a leg from the resultant corner to score through a crowded box.

 Town weren’t offering enough in attack and, for the first time in several weeks, were being constantly exposed at the back by Eastbourne’s darting runs.

Courtney Clarke was denied by  Rhys Forster before Alexander broke the offside trap but fired wide after being challenged by Hawkins.

We needed to get into the dressing room and re-adjust but on the stroke of halftime saw any chance of a recovery well and truly snatched away.

Clarke was too strong for Charlie Stallard and picked out Alexander who headed  home at the far post despite Forster’s efforts to keep it out.

H-T 0-3

Town were now effectively playing for pride but commendably looked a far better unit after the interval as we gave as good as we got, helped by a triple substitution on 58 minutes.

Two strong blocks kept us out while Bailey Brown lashed a shot over (pictured). The problem was, we didn’t test the keeper enough for all our front-foot approach and were always vulnerable to the counter-attack.

So it was on 86 minutes when a long ball through the middle saw Alexander complete his hattrick as he burst clear and fired past Forster.

And to add to our misery, Yahaya Bamba netted a penalty with the last kick of the game after a clear trip by Brown as Eastbourne moved up to second.

Salisbury’s last-gasp point at Chesham didn’t help our cause either but the positions at the bottom haven’t changed and it’s still in our hands with a massive home fixture on Saturday against Tonbridge Angels.

 “We were playing against a full-time team who competed better than us, spun the ball and went after it but I didn’t expect to lose in that manner,” said Gavin Macpherson.

“It was our worst performance for a long time. We didn’t really carry a threat or get a foothold. I’m sad that after such a good run, we produced that in front of our own fans. I’ve said to the players we move on to the next one but we mustn’t let that kind of thing creep in again.”

Town:

Forster; Parcell, Thompson, Hawkins; Stallard (Knight 58), Bates (Benjamin 77), Smith (Oyenuga, 58), Brown, Leonard; Hutchinson (Chukwu, 58), Kasimu (Whittaker 83)

Gavin Macpherson says the players must keep their feet on the ground as we take on high-flying Eastbourne on Tuesday hoping for another giant leap towards staying in the division.

The re-arranged fixture, originally postponed because of the weather, represents our game in hand over Welling and a chance to stretch our lead over them while in the only other game of the night we could ironically do with Chesham finding some form against Salisbury who have suddenly been pulled into the mix.

Gavin is fully aware that playing twice a week (last week, this week and next week at Hornchurch) can take its toll compared to full-time sides like fifth-paced Eastbourne who beat us 1-0 in the corresponding fixture.

The Sports also have the incentive of needing to bounce back after a surprise 3-0 defeat at the weekend.

“Eastbourne are an excellent footballing side. They probably trained Sunday or Monday whereas we have to turn up on the night and have a briefing,” said Gav. “That’s the difference when you’re not full-time.”

Hearing his name chanted by the Town fans on Saturday as we extended our unbeaten run to seven games certainly didn’t go unnoticed. “Even in tough times, people have never wavered from supporting me which is very humbling. The key is to keep the boys’ minds firmly on the job in hand with 14 games left.”

At least one key player will be unavailable on Tuesday though Henry Hawkins should be back and Jack Smith has put himself in the frame after an eye-catching 40 or so minutes at Chesham.

“I’ve never disputed Smudger as a player, it’s all about his fitness after the unfortunate pre-season that he had,” explained Gav. “I felt he needed to go out and play some games somewhere but he felt he didn’t want to. When a team is trying to get results, you can’t afford to carry anyone. He had some really good touches and one great cross-field ball on Saturday but you could see he’s still lacking from a fitness standpoint.”

AW

Chesham United 1 Enfield Town 3

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 Saturday 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.”

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

It’s been somewhat of a bogey ground in recent years but after a five-match unbeaten run, Town head to Chesham on Saturday hoping to keep our momentum going.

Last Tuesday’s vital win over Welling, closing the gap on the Wings to two points in the process, gave everyone a lift and despite one enforced defensive change tomorrow, there is every reason to feel optimistic about getting something out the game in Bucks.

Promoted like us to the National League South after being crowned Southern League champions, Chesham have impressively cemented a mid-table place and have taken 10 points from their last four home games.

Sam Youngs will be particularly keen to add to his goal tally against his old club, just as Anointed Chukwu did against Welling on Tuesday.

“I heard we have a pretty poor record over there and to be honest so have I from my Southern League days,” said Gavin Macpherson. “When you take everything into consideration it’s going to be one of our toughest games. You could argue a draw wouldn’t be a bad result – as long as we follow that up with a win against Eastbourne.”

“When you’re in a position like us, if you lose a game it puts additional pressure on you to win the next one. But there are still 15 to go and there are going to be loads more twists and turns. The boys are scrapping for everything. It won’t be plain sailing all the time but the aim is to be a safe as quickly as possible, whether or not that ends up being the last few games.”

Deservedly named National League South manager of the week for the second time this season, Gavin is keen to play that down. “Let’s be honest, I’d trade in both of them for us staying up.”

AW

A reminder not to miss out on what promises to be a sensational evening as we welcome the return of The Cinelli Brothers acoustic trio to the club next Thursday, Feb 20.

UK Blues Band of the year in 2024, we are delighted the Cinellis can fit us into their busy schedule for a special fund-raising gig.

Doors open at 7.30pm and tickets priced £15 can either be purchased in advance by calling Christine on 07949 071587 or via the link below. Tickets on the night will be subject to availability.  There will also be a bar and raffle.

https://enfieldtownfc.ktckts.com/event/concert3/the-cinelli-brothers-live-……. .

Congratulations to boss Gavin Macpherson, after two vital wins in as many games saw him pick up the Vanarama National League South’s Manager of the Week award.

It is the second occasion this season where the gaffer has received the league’s weekly award, having initially been rewarded after our win over Chelmsford City at the start of January. We have since embarked on a five-game unbeaten run, taking 11 points from our last 15 available, and keeping three clean sheets in a row – including in this week’s wins over Aveley and Welling United.

Enfield Town 2 Welling 0

Report by Andrew Warshaw

Three straight wins, three clean sheets, five unbeaten. Whisper it quietly, survival is suddenly in our own hands though no-one is yet getting carried away.

In an electrifying atmosphere reminiscent of our playoff campaign last season, Enfield Town produced one their most effective displays of the season on Tuesday just when it mattered most —  after the ground staff worked miracles on the pitch, including a healthy layer of sand in one goalmouth.

Sam Youngs’ 14^th goal of the season in all competitions and Anointed Chukwu’s first ever in National League South — particularly sweet given it was against his old club – got us over the line and closed the gap on Welling to two points with a game in hand.

No wonder the team and management were cheered to the rafters at the final whistle.

With John Oneyuga still ill and Xavier Benjamin playing out the last in the three-game suspension, Micky Parcell moved into the back three while up front Chukwu was paired with Hisham Kasimu, the latter making his first start in his second spell in a Town shirt.

The plan worked a treat with both strikers giving the Welling defence no peace though the architect of our victory was undoubtedly Jack Bates, whose deliveries from virtually every Town corner caused panic in the visitors’ defence – just as his freekick did at Aveley on Saturday. What an acquisition Jack looks like being until the end of the season.

Welling’s main threat on the night came from the experienced James Alabi but most of the goalmouth action was in his own team’s box.

Town should have been in front on 10 minutes when  Welling keeper Rhys Lovett, who had a tough night, managed to claw away a Youngs header from a pinpoint Bates corner, only to miss the ball completely when it was played back in. Luckily for him, Kasimu somehow stabbed wide from three yards.

Rhys Forster, who had little to do of note for most of the evening, gave Town fans kittens with one of those daring dribbles out of his area but just managed to prevent being closed down.

At the other end, a deep Bates corner appeared to hit the underside of the bar before yet another delicious set-piece very nearly saw Wingate skipper Dave Winfield put through his own net, only for a goal-line clearance  to spare his blushes.

But eight minutes before the break, Town broke the deadlock with the same combination that won us the game at Aveley. This time it was a Bates’ corner but the result was the same as Youngs scooped home a header.

Whenever Welling did venture forward, Town invariably got bodies on the line, one counter in particular producing three successive blocks. And just before the interval, Forster made himself big to preserve the lead in a one-on-one with Don Martin following Welling’s best move of the half.

H-T 1-0

Town were good value for their lead and needed to maintain their energy levels and make their superiority count even further.

But every team has a spell at some point and now it was Welling’s turn to push forward following a halftime rocket from their manager who turned the air blue in the dressing room with some choice language.

A Wings penalty shout for handball was turned down while neat interplay between Dan Quick and Jayden Davies screamed out for a final touch that wasn’t there.

But just as Welling threatened an equaliser, Town doubled their lead against the run of play  – something they hadn’t managed to achieve for weeks on end.

 And what a special moment it was for Anointed who looked like he had got the ball stuck under his foot, only to hold off his man and shoot across goal into the corner (pictured), reward for having worked tirelessly throughout.

 The goal completely knocked the wind out of Welling and Town might well have extended their lead. Kasimu, making his first start in any match since October because of injury and who will surely get fitter, shot wide of goal after great combination play with his fellow marksman.

“The fans took me right back to some of the vibe from last season,” said Gavin Macpherson afterwards. “They more than played their part and we’re going to need them.”

“We should have been out of sight by halftime but Welling are a combative team.  I’m so pleased for Chuk because that’s exactly what we’ve been working on in training with him, getting that touch away from the defender. As for Jack, I knew what I was signing when Alfie Tuck left. He’s having to adapt but is a technician.”

“What’s behind this run? Maybe we’re now gelling better. Relationships don’t happen overnight. It’s going to be a fight to the finish but no-one is daring to dream ‘cos we’re still in the bottom four and until we’re safe I won’t be satisfied.”

Town: Forster, Parcell, Thompson, Hawkins, Leonard, Brown, Bates, Youngs (Smith 89), Stallard, Chukwu (Hutchinson 83), Kasimu (Whittaker 74).

Can we make it three wins in row and stretch our unbeaten run to five in arguably the most important fixture of the season?

That’s the question on everyone’s lips as we welcome Welling United to the Dave Bryant stadium on Tuesday, weather again permitting, hoping to close the gap on the Wings to two points with exactly one third of the season to play.

With Saturday’s narrow victory at Aveley still fresh in the memory, belief is quietly growing that the Great Escape is a distinct possibility, adding to the sense of anticipation.

Although Xavier Benjamin sits out the last in a three-game suspension, it says a good deal about the versatility of an increasingly settled squad that we have won both matches without him as we approach the business end of the campaign.

“We are currently 7^th in the division’s form guide and are probably going to have maintain being in the top ten places until the end of the season,” said Gavin Macpherson. “Hopefully we’re now getting the desired effect of the changes we’ve had to make. We’re in a position where we’re more settled with a solid foundation even if we lack quality in certain positions. Everyone knows we aren’t scoring enough goals.”

“I know it’s been in upturn in the last four games but in all honesty we should have taken 12 points instead of eight. But we want to continue the current run and we need the supporters more than ever. People talk about the playoffs last season but this is a far bigger achievement if we can somehow pull it off.”

 AW

Aveley 0 Enfield Town 1

Report by Andrew Warshaw

Enfield Town’s survival hopes took another significant boost as we ground down fellow strugglers Aveley to secure our first back-to-back haul of the season and close the gap on Welling.

Whilst we had to rely on Rhys Forster for a number of excellent saves to keep us in the game and then, once again, on Sam Youngs to provide the winner, the reaction of the players and travelling fans at the final whistle said everything about what the result meant in the context of the table.

It also set us up for the mother of all six-pointers against Welling on Tuesday as we try to claw our way to safety.

Town’s defence was reinforced by the return of Adam Thompson and boy, how we needed him. Although we carved out the first big chance through Jake Hutchinson, Aveley, beaten only once in their previous eight home games, controlled much of the rest of the first half.

Not once, not twice but four times in that opening period, Forster came to the rescue as Aveley looked the more fluent side and peppered our goal, David Hicks and Raz Coleman showing particular technique.

But it was certainly not all one way traffic. Anointed Chukwu, playing alongside Hutchinson and arguably enjoying his best afternoon yet in a Town shirt at least in terms of power and strength, charged 40 yards upfield  before playing in Billy Leonard who should have returned the compliment rather than trying to score himself.

 On their familiar artificial surface, it was easy to see why Aveley’s possession-based game had troubled a number of visiting teams and they thought they had broken the deadlock when hesitation on the touchline by John Oyenuga allowed Coleman to get a shot away, only for a fine block by Henry Hawkins to avert the danger.

The hosts were being allowed too much space in front our back three. Just before halftime, Forster was on hand again, this time to keep out Tyrese Owen following a quickfire four-man move, while at the other end, Chukwu couldn’t quite find the net from a tight angle.

H-T 0-0

Several times this season, we have rued missed chances and not getting what we deserved.

Now the boot was on the other foot. With virtually his first touch, halftime substitute Jack Bates – who had replaced the ill Oyenuga – marked his Town debut with a superbly delivered freekick on 52 minutes to find Youngs whose glancing header gave the keeper no chance.

Three minutes later an unsavoury touchline melee involving Chukwu and a string of Aveley players resulted a booking for each side, in Town’s case  Anointed who was unfairly deemed at fault after having his shirt pulled for the umpteenth time.

As Aveley pressed for an equaliser, they were thwarted by two terrific Town headers out of defence and by their own Harry Beadle fluffing a clear header.

But this was one day when we were not to be denied, typified by Forster’s  man of the match display. And we could have even added a second late on when Hisham Kasimu, off the bench on his return to the club, ran through but couldn’t control his footing.

“We’ve got to keep going because Aveley are good enough to come and catch us,” said Gavin. “If I’m honest it was one of the worst performances for a long time in terms of lack of quality but we’re certainly going in the right direction.”

“Desire and workrate got us through because they play their surface very well.  I made the halftime change because John was sick and probably shouldn’t have played. Jack Bates is a good technician and is settling in nicely. We’ve played much better and lost games and were indebted to Rhys at times but I’ll take that.”

Town

Forster; Oyenuga (Bates, 46), Thompson, Hawkins; Stallard, Brown (Smith, 82), Parcell, Youngs, Leonard; Hutchinson, Chukwu (Kasimu, 80)