Enfield Town 0 Hemel Hempstead Town 0

Report by Andrew Warshaw

There may have been a sense of inevitability but the hurt was no less deeply felt.

After two seasons in National League South, Town were relegated on Easter Monday with three games to spare and now have to prepare for a return to Step 3 next season, rejoining a league which, ominously, is far more competitive than when we left it.

The goalless draw against Hemel Hempstead, coupled with Farnborough’s win, sealed our fate and while there is bound to be an inquest among players, management, fans and board alike, the fact is we were punching above our weight for the best part of two years.

Not surprisingly there were tears, mixed with anger and gut-wrenching disappointment, in the dressing room as the pain and repercussions of going down began to sink in.

Ultimately, it was a step too far and clearly there are bound to be changes but it’s too early to speculate what these might be. The fact is we have an opportunity to end the campaign on a positive note and avoid finishing bottom of the table. As Gavin Macpherson , who has never been relegated, said afterwards, the fans deserve no less.

As far as the Hemel game itself is concerned, it was arguably one of our least eventful games of the season and with Jake Cass suffering from an abductor strain and Eli Ackeson on trial at Wycombe, we had scant few attacking options on the bench to turn the game in our favour when we needed a breakthrough.

After Paul Appiah was awarded with the player of the month award for March, play-off chasing but injury-hit Hemel largely had the better of the exchanges but found Joe Wright in excellent form, helped by some solid defending (pictured).

Yet it was Sam Youngs, more used to popping up at the other end, who first rescued Town with an acrobatic clearance off the line with his back to goal.

It took almost half an hour for Town to register their first worthwhile effort on target as Lemar Reynolds brought a smart save out of Michael Johnson. But Joe Wright was by far the busier of the two keepers, pulling off a superb stop from a Hemel corner, then watching Mauro Vilhete’s long-range drive flash wide.

H-T 0-0

Straight form the restart, Hayden Bullas went down in the box and when nothing was given, Hemel raced up the other end and Joe produced a magnificent double save. Moments later only his outstretched leg again prevented goal-shy Hemel going in front when they beat the offside trap.

Whether or not news filtered through to the players that Farnborough had taken the lead against Horsham, Town suddenly picked up the pace.

Youngs showed great technique as he forced Johnson into a smart stop after fine work by Bullas. Then a neat interchange between Billy Leonard and Nino Adom-Malaki threatened to cut Hemel open, only for the move to fizzle out at the vital moment – a hallmark of our season.

Former Towner Olly Davies thankfully didn’t hurt us off the bench but when seven minutes were added on, Joe was called into action again to keep out Darion Dorwich’s effort as Hemel came again.

“Emotions are running high in the dressing room,” said a crestfallen Gavin. “It’s the first one I’ve been in that’s been relegated. In truth, it wasn’t today that relegated us but a series of games.”

The adventure may be over but while Gavin was understandably bitterly disappointed, he has given this club some of the most euphoric and exciting moments in its recent history. Apart from the occasional embarrassing heavy defeat, we haven’t disgraced ourselves and it was no surprise when the players, who cannot be faulted for desire or effort for most of the season, were given a warm and sympathetic reception afterwards.

“Obviously it’s hard at this level but that doesn’t mean you accept being an also-ran,” said Gavin. “We worked a miracle before and we felt we could do it again. It’s my responsibility but we have an obligation to the supporters to get as many points as we can from the last three games, however difficult that might be in the circumstances.”

Town

Wright; Benjamin, Appiah, Hawkins, Adom-Malaki; Bullas (Traore 77), Donaldson, Youngs, Knight (Brown 77); Reynolds, Andrews (Leonard 60)

While some Town fans may be resigned to the prospect of relegation, Gavin Macpherson has no intention of sending out his troops with that mentality when we face playoff-chasing Hemel Hempstead Town on Easter Monday (k-o 3pm).

Town’s fate effectively relies on other teams slipping up even if we win our last four games, rendering tomorrow a potential last throw of the dice.

Whatever the result, Gavin plans to sit down thereafter with the powers that be to have a chat about the situation going forward. But for the moment he is fully concentrated on trying to beat Hemel and throwing everything into the final group of fixtures.

Town seem likely to still be without Mickey Parcell and another couple of injuries, including possibly Billy Leonard. Both Mickey and Billy limped off at Chelmsford but Paul Appiah will be back in a Town shirt and Bailey Brown, a Good Friday substitute, is fit again.

Gavin admits that conceding decisive late goals, combined with lack of quality at the other end, have been the bane of our season.

“I’ve had teams in the past that have been freescoring but conceded a fair amount of goals.  I’ve also had teams that have been mean defensively but not as potent at the other end. This season we haven’t been good enough in either box and that is a recipe for where we are.”

In truth, that is partially down to the difficulty of recruitment at Step 2 where money talks far louder than lower down the pyramid, especially when it comes to proven goalscorers.

Gavin has never been relegated in his managerial career and admits it will be hard to stomach if we return to step 3 after two seasons in National League South.

“It’s something I’ve never experienced before and won’t be a good feeling,” he conceded. “The dugout is a lonely place sometime, especially when you get decisions wrong.”

“We need to try and win all four games and see what happens. If we go down, my first thought will be for the supporters because managers and players come and go but the fans are a constant.

“What I will feel is a huge sense of regret but that’s not where my head is at the moment. My head is trying to play the best we can against Hemel.”

AW

Chelmsford City 3 Enfield Town 0

Report by Andrew Warshaw

Mathematically it’s still possible but there was no doubting the air of gut-wrenching disappointment and dejection after the Good Friday defeat at Chelmsford which all but condemned Enfield Town to a return to Step 3 football next season.

With Bath City beating Chippenham, Town fell into the bottom two and now have to win their next three  games — and hope Farnborough lose theirs and others slip up too — to stand any chance of taking it to the final day and a possible second successive survival act.

A more likely scenario is the depressing reality of being relegated on Easter Monday though three points would certainly sweeten the pill going into the final group of fixtures.

 Despite plenty of endeavour and desire, it was all too familiar a pattern as we were beaten by the more skillful, inventive team. Having said that, Lady Luck could have smiled on us on more compassionately, only for us to leave Essex empty-handed.

Even before kickoff there were grumbles of resentment as Chelmsford rigorously employed their segregation policy, on occasion in far too heavy handed a manner.

 Once the action got under way, Town – who made three changes due to injuries and unavailability including Jake Cass making his first start since coming out of retirement  — began steadily and were relatively comfortable against full-time opponents who had changed manager 48 hours earlier in an attempt to squeeze into the playoffs.

Lyle Taylor, one of the highest paid players in the division, chipped narrowly over while at the other end Cassy shrugged off his defender to find Lamar Reynolds who was dispossessed far too easily.

With the strong wind at their backs, another Town half-chance came and went when Hayden Bullas won a freekick and the ball was eventually cleared.

Taylor, not surprisingly, was always a threat but it took until the 39th minute for him to score his 27th goal of the season, aided by two Town errors. Henry Hawkins miscued an attempted clearance back into the danger zone and Billy Leonard – playing in an unfamiliar rightback role – slipped at the back post to allow Taylor to poke the ball home.

Town so nearly levelled just before the interval when Ruaridh Donaldson’s thumping header was narrowly ruled offside.

H-T 0-1

Who knows what might have transpired had the equaliser stood, given that we had largely contained Chelmsford in the blustery conditions.

Having said that, Taylor almost doubled his and his team’s lead just after the break, only for Joe Wright to stick out a leg to keep it to a single goal.

On 54 minutes, we came close again to levelling as Noah Phillips saved superbly from Sam Youngs and follow-up efforts from Cass and Hayden Bullas were somehow hoicked to safety.

It just wasn’t our day and Chelmsford, who didn’t play in midweek, now made their superior fitness count, took control and dug the knife in.

With 20 minutes left and second balls increasingly picked up by to the Clarets , Town failed to clear a right-wing cross and  Archie Tamplin, on the edge of the area, unleashed an unstoppable volley into the far corner.

Play was temporarily halted shortly afterwards following an incident involving a Chelmsford supporter behind the goal and Joe Wright. It wasn’t spotted by the referee or linesman but resulted in  seven minutes of stoppage time.

By this time, our support play in midfield had all but dried up – at both ends. When Bailey Brown failed to clear a quick throw-in, substitute Antony Papadopoulos took advantage by rolling the ball into the net with the last action of the game.

Now we go again on Monday against Hemel Hempstead hoping for a health Easter crowd despite the situation we find ourselves in.

“We’re chalk and cheese compared with Chelmsford and thin on the ground,” said Gavin Macpherson. “We effectively had three academy players on the bench but we weren’t out of it until late on even though we lacked a bit of running power having played on Tuesday.”

“It’s been the story of our season not quite having the quality in the final third, then switching off at the other end. But the dressing room is focussed on going at Hemel on Monday. We’re running on empty but we are sticking together and have a duty to the club to try our very best in the final four games.”

Town: Wright;  Adom-Malaki, Benjamin, Hawkins, Leonard (Traore 51); Knight (Brown 90), Bullas, Donaldson, Youngs;  Reynolds, Cass (Andrews 65)

Will Enfield Town have to deal with the additional burden of new manager bounce when they take on Chelmsford City tomorrow in the first of back-of-back Easter fixtures which could seal our fate?

With one of the biggest budgets in the division, the Clarets summarily sacked manager Angelo Harrop  today and replaced him on an interim basis with Ricky Holmes.

Mid-table Chelmsford theoretically remain within reach of a playoff finish but two wins out of the last seven games did for the manager less than one season into the job.

While the Clarets are looking to get back to winning ways, Town’s task is far more precarious and challenging, having been left adrift in the bottom four with a mountain to climb.

We effectively probably need to win four of our remaining five games and even then hope that others – notably Farnborough eight points ahead but also the other teams in the relegation zone – suffer a barren run-in.

The fact that we have won just two of 20 away league games so far this season and only recorded eight league victories in the whole campaign doesn’t augur well. But Gavin Macpherson certainly isn’t throwing in the towel despite last Saturday’s catastophe against Chesham.

With Xavier Benjamin 50-50 and already without long-term victim Adam Thomspon and the ineligible Paul Appiah, Town face something of a defensive crisis with Mickey Parcell even more doubtful than Xav.

 “We’ll run both up to the wire and see where we are,” said Gavin. “Who knows whether Chelmsford will have a new manager bounce. Obviously we did our homework based on someone else in charge. They’ve certainly put a very good guy in temporary charge who knows what he’s doing.”

“I honestly believe Chelmsford have a squad of players unrivalled at this level. I don’t know the ins and outs of what’s gone on there. What I do know is that we somehow have to win the game.”

“Has it crossed my mind we could be relegated on Monday? Yes because it’s not in our hands. We’ve not got the points we hoped to get and have had to play catch-up. But there are a number of reasons why you have to stay utterly committed. The main reason is this football club and the supporters. But you also have an obligation to other teams in our league.”

AW

Enfield Town 3 Chesham United 4

Report by Andrew Warshaw

Was this the evening that sealed Enfield Town’s fate after throwing away a two-goal lead?

Certainly, there was an air of despondency verging on resignation after we inexplicably capitulated and are now clinging on for dear life with only five games left and still  eight points from Farnborough and safety – a not impossible but highly improbable task.

If results go against us, we could even be relegated on Easter Monday but it would grossly unfair to throw the book at either players or management

The fact is we are competing with clubs who have huge private investment and multiple revenue streams. We all love the fan-owned model. Indeed, that is the charm of our club.  But it comes with inevitable caveats. Gavin Macpherson said from the start that because National League South is so much stronger this season, it would be a far tougher challenge than last year when we survived on the final day. And so it has proved.

There are other mitigating circumstances. The fact that fellow relegation candidates Bath City have been in National League South since 2012 – and full-time Eastbourne Borough for 14 years – demonstrates there are no guarantees at this level. Eastbourne, remember, have actually announced they are preparing to go part-time because of the financial blow relegation might entail.

 You cut your cloth accordingly and it’s no coincidence that it’s the part-time clubs in the main who are in danger of the drop. The fact is Town have been punching above their weight for two seasons.

And just to quash an untimely rumour doing the rounds, suggestions that Gavin has already decided to leave are both misleading and unsubstantiated. He is firmly focussed on the remaining five games.

That’s not to say he wasn’t furious at how events unfolded on Tuesday. To score three times and not get anything out a game is highly frustrating to say the least especially as it’s traditionally been in the final third where we’ve been lacking.

Town made one change for the must-win of all must-win games, with Hayden Bullas – recalled by Orient to play for their under-21s — replaced by Billy Leonard.

In a nervy, scrappy start, the visitors arguably looked the more composed side, Jayden Bennetts – Chesham’s most dangerous player – seeing his goalbound sidefoot diverted over by Nino Adom-Malaki.

The Generals were using overlaps to good effect but on 17 minutes Town went in front in a move started and finished by the evergreen Sam Young, stabbing home after fine work by Leonard and Ollie Knight.

Seven minutes later and Town doubled their lead. Henry Hawkins went on a thrilling Frank Beckenbauer-style charge through the middle of the pitch and Knight was on hand to provide the support play and slot the ball home.

A suspicion of handball by Adom-Malaki was waved away but 2-0, as they say, is a dangerous scoreline. Five minutes before the break and Chesham were back in it, albeit courtesy of slack defending when Bennetts was allowed to pick his spot.

H-T

The next goal was always going to prove crucial and it went to Chesham moments after the break when Sam Youngs inadvertently headed into his own net whilst trying to clear.

What could go wrong thereafter did go wrong.

 Mickey Parcell had already gone off injured towards the end of the first half with what looked like a recurrence of his old problem and by the hour mark Chesham had turned the game on its head, former Towner Samson Esen doing the damage on both occasions.

 First, a Chesham corner wasn’t dealt with properly and Esen prodded home. Then, with Bennetts again involved, Esen was given far too much time to turn the ball home for 4-2 amid stunned incredulity.

 A Lamar Reynolds belter reduced the arrears but Xav Benjamin became the second injury victim and in the dying moments of normal time, Hawkins – just after having headed against the woodwork for what would have been 4-4 — received a second yellow for the softest of fouls. Consistently one of Town’s best performers, he will be sorely missed for the journey to Weston-super-Mare.

With Adam Thompson still out and Paul Appiah ineligible against his parent club Chelmsford on Good Friday, Town’s defensive options are getting slimmer by the game.

Perhaps the biggest positive to take home was a 30-minute cameo display by Jake Cass whose strength and power won a late freekick (pictured) and augurs well for the final few outings – however significant they may or may not prove to be.

“To let a 2-0 lead slip in the manner we did is criminal,” said Gavin. “Our basic desire to defend our box in the second half just wasn’t there.”

“I’m not going to dress this up as something it’s not. I understand people thinking it’s over. But I will not let the team capitulate in the final few games because there is accountability to our supporters who watch us week-in, week-out. Giving up is not in my make-up.”

Town

Wright; Benjamin (Donaldson 71), Hawkins, Appiah; Leonard, Parcell (Traore 43), Youngs, Knight (Ackeson 83), Adom-Malaki; Reynolds, Andrews (Cass 60)

There are must-win games – and then there is Tuesday night.

Failure to beat Chesham at home (ko 7.45) and Enfield Town’s slim chance of extending their spell in National League South to a third season will become paper-thin with just five games left thereafter – two of those away against play-off chasing sides.

Nothing is guaranteed until the Fat Lady sings and while there’s life, there’s hope. If we can produce the same level of intensity that we showed against Worthing last Saturday, we have every chance of picking up three points against the Generals and narrowing the gap behind Farnborough to five.

The fact that three days later on Good Friday we visit Chelmsford without the services of Paul Appiah (ineligible against his parent club) and, most likely, the still-injured Adam Thompson only underscores the urgency of the occasion. And let’s not forget Bath City are also playing Tuesday – away at Maidenhead.

“It’s another difficult game but we’ll pick it up afterwards and see where we are for Friday,” said Gavin Macpherson. “It’s not an enviable position to be in and the boys were sore not to get the win on Saturday.

“A lot of people might call me an optimist when I said after Worthing that we’re still alive. I recognise the situation in front of us but the fact is we’re not out of it yet.”

AW

Enfield Town 1 Worthing 1

Report by Andrew Warshaw

At halftime on non-league day, Enfield Town were just where they wanted to be. A goal up against high-flying but below-par Worthing courtesy of Nino Adom-Malaki’s blockbuster — and Farnborough losing against Hornchurch.

In the end, however, it was as you were with eight points still separating Town from safety but now only six games left to somehow claw themselves out of trouble.

It’s a tall order by any stretch of the imagination but while there’s life there’s hope and as must-win fixtures go, Town’s final game in hand against Chesham United on Tuesday is as huge as they come if we are to pull off a miraculous great escape. Even then it will be a tough ask.

Gavin Macpherson understandably cut a frustrated and forlorn figure after the game since the equaliser we conceded was avoidable while we could, perhaps should, have been further ahead by then anyway.

Town started cautiously against a side who had won three in a row and are the division’s leading scorers.

After just 30 seconds, Teddy Jenks went close for the visitors who then had a penalty shout waved away.

But we gradually played our way into the game and went in front on 20 minutes when Nino’s 35-yard screamer flashed past Taylor Seymour – a contender for Town goal of the season.

Playing with the wind at their backs and regaining possession quickly, Town suddenly began to take advantage of Worthing’s surprising lack of control in the final third.

Sam Youngs was a whisker away from doubling the lead with a skilful turn and shot, smashing the ball into the side netting. And during a spell of corners,  the woodwork came to Worthing’s rescue to keep out a ricochet.

As halftime approached, another chance went begging as Lamar Reynolds, who troubled the Rebels’ backline all afternoon, unfortunately spooned Ollie Knight’s corner over.

H-T 1-0

Town’s intensity and high press were paying dividends and Lamar screwed wide after a fine exchange with Corie Andrews.

Worthing had been nowhere near their best but,  only one goal behind, were always likely to threaten a comeback.

Joe Wright palmed away a freekick before the Rebels fluffed a gilt-edged chance from six yards out when Ashley Nadesaan couldn’t get a clean connection.

 On 66 minutes, however, the pressure paid off as Jenks, left unmarked, buried a header to restore parity.

With the clock ticking, both Youngs and Knight were unceremoniously bundled over in the box and were incredulous when the ultra-lenient referee again deemed no penalty though there was more than a hint of offside.

It almost proved extremely costly as Worthing came desperately close to winning it in added time, Dolaghan striking the bar with an acrobatic effort.

“I’ve got a disappointed dressing room because we more than matched a very good side,” said Gavin afterwards. “The boys went all out to get the win but when we were on top in the first half that was the time to put it to bed. I thought we had two penalties …we needed decisions to go our way and they didn’t. It’s hard on the legs but we’re still alive and three points is the order of the day for Tuesday.”

Town

Wright; Benjamin, Hawkins, Appiah, Adom-Malaki; Parcell, Youngs, Bullas (Leonard 70); Knight, Reynolds, Andrews (Traore 78). Subs not used: Connolly, Lambert, Donaldson, Ackason, Cass. 

Gavin Macpherson insists his team will fight to the finish even if their fate may no longer be in their own hands.

Town’s hopes of survival were given a significant boost with Tuesday’s much-needed win over Dover but Farnborough’s counter-victory the following night re-opened an eight-point gap above us in the battle to stay up.

With high-flying Worthing, who have just shelled out large sums of money for two new forwards, visiting the Dave Bryant stadium on non-league day tomorrow, Town have a huge opportunity to upset the odds and notch up another three points in front of what is expected to be a bumper crowd with both teams badly needing the points at opposite ends of the table.

“Non league day is the foundation of our football club, a celebration of the people who are important in the non-league game, primarily the volunteers and supporters and is something to embrace,” said Gavin.

“It’s really important to stress that my players turn up week after week with a work ethic to improve. There has never not been a belief but we all know the next two games are crucial.”

Following the visit of the Rebels, Chesham come calling on Tuesday for our third straight home fixture.

 “I know we’re now relying on others dropping points,” Gavin conceded. “I’m a realist, not a fantasist. Do we believe we can win every game? Of course but we also know that will be incredibly difficult. The fact that Farnborough, a team pretty much up there last season, now find themselves in a relegation battle is a measure of how this league has gone.”

With Bath, Chippenham and Eastbourne all also scrapping for their lives, the bottom of the table is becoming a race in itself as the final run-in approaches.

“At the end of the day, it may not be in our hands but we’re focused and we’ll keep plugging away,” said Gav. “Yes we’re playing catch-up but we’re going for it. If we can win Saturday and Farnborough don’t, you’re back in contention with Chesham being our game in hand.”

Footnote:

There will be no Weaver Line operating this Saturday. This means no services from nearby Enfield Town or Southbury Stations. Alternatives are National Rail services from Moorgate/ Finsbury Park to Enfield Chase then bus 191 or Stratford/ Tottenham Hale to Brimsdown and again use the 191 bus service to reach the stadium.

AW

We are pleased to announce that Paul Appiah’s loan from Chelmsford City has been extended until the end of the season.

Central defender Paul has made 7 appearances for Town since joining last month, assisting against Hampton & Richmond, and keeping a clean sheet against Dagenham & Redbridge.

Paul will be available for six of our remaining National League South fixtures, but is ineligible for our Good Friday trip to parent club Chelmsford.

Enfield Town 3 Dover Athletic 1

Report by Martin Bentley

In a night full of surprises, Enfield Town bagged a much-needed three points thanks to three excellent goals against a decent Dover Athletic side to end a seven-game winless run.

 Surprise number one, to the delight of an amazed Town faithful, was the appearance of one Jake Cass among the substitutes for his first game in two years, having come out of retirement to rejoin the club until the end of the season.

The announcement palpably lifted the mood behind the goal as Town’s battle against relegation took a decided turn in our favour.

  Before the fun started, we had to endure half an hour of turgid, shapeless scrapping. The better chances fell to the visitors, with Joe Wright forced to save well from efforts by the dangerous George Nikaj and George Wilkinson’s free kick.

Nikaj was also guilty of fluffing a good chance on 24 minutes, but the game swung in Town’s favour late in the half. Sam Youngs stung the palms of Dover keeper Mitch Walker on the half hour before putting Town in front seven minutes later, shooting first-time from the edge of the box after Ollie Knight’s cross was partially cleared.

H-T 1-0

Although grateful to be leading after an indifferent first-half showing, Town then took control of the game three minutes into the second half.

With the advantage of a strong end-to-end wind, Wright’s long drop-kick cleared the Dover centre backs for Lamar Reynolds to race clear and lob over Walker from the edge of the box (pictured). Remarkably, this was Lamar’s first goal since January.

Wright was once again called into action on the hour with a decent save from a freekick before Town made the game safe on 75 minutes with an absolute belter of a goal. Youngs began the move in the right-back position, carried the ball out of defence before playing Reynolds in 20 yards from goal. His return pass to the onrushing Youngs — and Town’s in-form midfielder once again hit Walker’s bottom corner with a sweet strike.

  The rest of the game saw Town successful play out time, with DeCarrey Sherriff’s consolation effort passing almost unnoticed at the other end. Well actually, the main reason that it was unnoticed was the weather; the steady drizzle that had started in the first half was suddenly replaced by the mother of all downpours which, combined with the wind, caused absolute mayhem in the crowd behind Walker’s goal.

Supporters cowered at the back of the stand trying to hide behind each other, at which point we realised that too many of us wear glasses! Cassy appeared for a five-minute cameo to perk everyone up.

His first involvement saw him dumped unceremoniously onto a very wet running track (didn’t happen too often in Dubai where he now lives, I assume), but he whizzed around enthusiastically for the remaining minutes to leave us all in a thoroughly good mood. And then the rain stopped.

 All good news, and a pleasingly emphatic win. Now we need to build on it, with high-flying Worthing visiting the Dave Bryant on Saturday.

Team: Wright, Benjamin (Traore 49), Odom-Malaki, Appiah, Hawkins, Bullas (Leonard 79), Parcell, Knight,Youngs, Andrews (Cass 90+1), Reynolds

Unused subs: Connolly, Donaldson, Lambert, Ackason