Following Rayners Lane’s withdrawal from the Middlesex Senior Cup, we will host QPR’s Development Squad in the Second Round of the competition. This fixture will take place on the evening of Tuesday 20th October 2026 at the Dave Bryant Stadium.

As County Cup fixtures take scheduling priority over league games, and having consulted the clubs involved, our visit to St Albans City in the Isthmian Premier has now been moved, and we will travel to Clarence Park on the evening of Tuesday 17th November (19:45).

Oxford City 6 Enfield Town 1

Report by Andrew Warshaw

 (photo: Gabriel Meytanis)

Enfield Town’s bid for a second successive Step 2 scalp came to a shuddering halt as their quest for more FA Cup glory was shattered in devastating fashion.

Hit for six by fitter, more skilfull and wily full-time opponents, Town were at times run ragged as they saw their ultimate dream of reaching the Holy Grail of the first round proper dashed for another year.

Town have little time to lick their wounds before returning to league action at Stanway Rovers on Tuesday and are still in the FA Trophy. But this was a rude awakening in the early autumn sunshine and a hammering to forget.

 Despite the toughest possible 3^rd qualifying round assignment, such was the anticipation given our fine form so far this season that a second supporters’ coach was laid on for the trip to the city of spires and scholars.

But any hopes of following up the win at Billericay were quickly extinguished as we twice conceded in a nightmare start and thereafter never got to grips with the occasion or the physicality of the opposition who moved the ball with frightening effect.

Billy Holland, who made three changes from the Trophy win at Hanwell, will have been hugely disappointed with the manner of the opening goal on 10 minutes, however. No-one tracked Scott Pollock who drifted unchallenged into the box to head home.

It was the worst possible start and Oxford’s invention and imagination continued to give us little time to breath, the deficit doubled when Pollock’s dummy caught us out and skipper Josh Ashby slotted home beyond Dylan Thompson’s reach.

Flying high in National League north, the hosts’ domination continued, Frankie Domi producing a  spectacular clearance off the line and Zac McEachran blazing over the bar from close range.

Town needed a lifeline to ease the onslaught and they suddenly got two in a row. Moments after Tariq Al-Sadi had stung the outstretched hands of Jonny Maxted with our first real threat on goal, Sam Youngs pulled us back into the game, beating Maxted with a superb glancing header off the post from Tommy Avgoustidis’ fine delivery.

Almost immediately, Adam Thompson dangled a leg at the other end to bring down Max Smith, only for Dylan to save Tyrone Marsh’s spotkick by guessing correctly and briefly keep us in the cup.

H-T 1-2

Any hopes Town fans might have had that we would somehow pull off the mother of all comebacks were dashed within three minutes of the restart.

When the opposition have much taller, stronger players, it’s not easy to match their height in your own box but we were far too lax in picking up Ludwig Francillete at the far post as he headed home a corner, unmarked, for 3-1. Hugely frustrating given that Dylan had just pulled off a stupendous world-class save.

Five minutes later, the improbable became impossible, Pollock netting his second of the afternoon to finish off another well-worked move.

To their credit, Town never stopped trying to probe but even after a flurry of substitutions, nothing worked against savvy, technically superior opponents who looked a different class to the Ricay side we eliminated a couple of weeks ago. Too many misplaced passes were picked off by quality players whose quick feet and intelligent movement had us chasing shadows.

In a rare Town attack, Al-Sadi drove a freekick over the bar from a dangerous position but Town simply couldn’t stem the flow at the other end. Seconds after coming on as a sub, Briar Batemen outpaced his marker to score City’s fifth and worse was still to come as Ellie Brown converted a pull-back to complete a sobering afternoon.

Who knows who we might have got in the fourth and final qualifying round had we progressed but there’s no point dwelling on that. The real barometer of where we are is arguably after 10 league games which will be completed after Tuesday’s visit to Stanway Rovers and then Dulwich Hamlet at home on Saturday. A decent return from those two outings to keep us at or near the summit and Saturday’s rout will fade into the distance.

 And don’t forget we are still in the FA trophy with Wembley in our sights!

Town:

Thompson (D); Domi (Tarima 61), Hart, Thompson(A), Tanimowo; Al-Said (Kyei 67), Davies, Leonard (Ridings, 61), Bansal-McNulty (May-Parrott 61), Avgoustidis; Youngs (Velasquez 81).

Ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup tie away at Oxford City, please take a moment to read the following:

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By Public Transport

Following a series of away ties in cup competitions, the Towners have been drawn at home in the first round proper of this season’s FA Trophy.

We will welcome high-flying Hanworth Villa to the Dave Bryant Stadium, on Saturday 24th October.

The Hounslow-based side have made a very solid start to the season following their promotion via the Isthmian South Central play-offs last term. Still in both the FA Cup and Trophy, they currently occupy third spot in the Southern League South, having only suffered two defeats so far.

Hanwell Town 2 Enfield Town 4

Report by Paul Manel

Photo: Michael Michalia

His loan signing from Leyton Orient was only confirmed on Friday evening, but Tariq Al-Sadi wasted little time in introducing himself to Towners fans. The speedy winger came off the bench to score two late second half goals to settle this rumbustious FA Trophy 3^rd qualifying tie against fellow step 3 side Hanwell Town.

Towners came into this match full of confidence following last week’s amazing FA cup victory by a much-depleted side at step 2 Billericay Town.

Hanwell were also buoyed by FA cup success, putting aside their league woes (20^th Southern League Premier South) by defeating Burgess Hill.

Towners made three changes from the side that produced that wonderful win in Essex last week. Franklin Domi came in for the unavailable Mickey Parcell, EJ Mensah replaced the injured Junior Valasquez and Nana Kyei was in for Shiloh Remy. With no Mickey Parcell and Sam Youngs and Adam Thompson on the bench, Billy Leonard skippered the Towners for the first time.     

It was the home side who started on the front foot. The muscular Henry Snee and Jordan Esprit making life uncomfortable for the Towners back line. In the 7^th minute a cross from the left, found an unmarked Snee who could only direct his header straight at Dylan Thompson.

As the game settled down, Town started to find their passing rhythm. Often it was just the final ball that wasn’t quite precise enough. Town’s best chance of the half was from a quick break after their West London hosts gave the ball away in midfield. Amrit Bansal -McNulty fed Tommy Avgoustidis. His cross just failed to find the on-rushing Nana Kyei. Tommy’s best option seemed to be to have a shot, but it is an easy game from the stands!

Hanwell responded with the game becoming stretched. Snee cut in from the right to shoot, Thompson parried and EJ Mensah cleared off the line.

HT: 0-0

Town exploded into action at the start of the second period. A great move culminated in Franklin Domi’s low cross inviting a finish but neither Avgoustidis nor Luke May-Parrott could make contact.

As so often happens in football, the opposition broke away to the other end and opened the scoring. Espirit cut in from the left unchallenged and his right foot shot beat Thompson at the near post.

We had an all-action cup tie on our hands! On 50 minutes Hanwell goalkeeper and captain Sam Beasant (son of FA cup final hero Dave) fouled May-Parrott in the box but the flag went up for offside.

There was nothing Beasant could do two minutes later. Avgoustidis broke down the left, the Hanwell keeper managed to parry but Nana Kyei twisted and adjusted his body to tuck the ball away to make it 1-1.

This was now end to end  with both sets of fans in fine voice. Smee showed great pace to break away but Mensah stayed with him and timed a perfect tackle to get the ball away for a corner.

It looked like there would be more goals in this open encounter and on 58 minutes Towners went in front. Amrit fed May-Parrott and his cross found Nana who produced a fine powerful finish out of the reach of Beasant.

On 60 minutes new man Tariq Al-Sadi entered the fray replacing Avgoustidis. The loanee from the O’s made an immediate impact. He showed great pace to burst down the right. His cross was met by May – Parrott who forced Beasant into a super reaction save.

The ‘Geordies’ playing in their trademark black and white stripes, were still knocking on the door and Dylan had to race from his goal and perfectly time his interception. Espirit then shot straight at Thompson from the edge of the box.

A Hanwell equaliser looked to be on the cards, and it arrived via a free kick. Dan Carr delivered it with his left peg. It floated across the box and Dwayne Marlon Duncan was the quickest to react, stretching to get his foot on the ball and finish to make it 2 -2.

The home side now had the impetus. Thompson made several crucial stops and Towners fans started to wonder if their side could hang on for penalties.

Enter super – sub-Tariq! He showed electric pace once again to burst down the left. He cut in and his shot was blocked by a defender. May – Parrott seized on the rebound and his shot was also intercepted. The ball seemed to strike Tariq and in it went! A touch of luck maybe  but Towners fans were not complaining!

With time running out, Hanwell now had to commit numbers in search of an equalizer. Town broke away in added time. The impressive Jez Davies fed Nana out on the left. Beasant could not hold his cross and there was that man Tariq Al-Sadi to fire into the corner.

A wonderful cup tie and four more goals for our EN1 entertainers. It also looks like we have another gem in the form of Tariq. What an introduction! We now start to dream of further cup success as we travel to the city of those dreaming spires!

Town: Thompson, Tanimowo, Hart, Mensah, Domi (Tarima 89)/ Bansal – McNulty, May – Parrott, Leonard (Rydings), Kyei, Davies, Avgoustidis ( Al – Sadi 60)

We are very pleased to welcome winger Tariq Al-Sadi, who joins us on a month’s loan from Leyton Orient.

Oman international Tariq, 20, is an agile wide player who has been with the O’s since 2024, notching an assist in Orient’s victory at the Dave Bryant Stadium during pre-season. He has also gained senior experience with Southall, and UE Sant Andreu (Spain). Tariq joins on a short-term basis and is eligible in both the FA Cup and FA Trophy.

Welcome, Tariq!

It will be more step 2 opposition for Enfield Town in the FA Cup, as the draw for the third qualifying round handed us an away trip to Oxford City.

The tie will take place on Saturday 3rd October.

The Hoops have started their National League North campaign in fine form and are currently in second spot, ahead of the likes of Macclesfield, Morecambe, and Chester. They comfortably saw off step 4 side Dorchester Town in the last round. Not that Town will be fazed after Saturday’s tremendous performance at Billericay, with Billy Holland’s side themselves yet to be beaten on their travels this season.

Billericay 1 Enfield Town 3

Report by Andrew Warshaw (photo by Michael Michalia)

Wow, wow, wow! Shorn of six first-team players –make that seven according to Billy Holland – Enfield Town came from behind to stun Step 2 Billericay 3-1 and reach the third qualifying round of the FA Cup as well as banking a tidy £3,375 in prize money.

Despite missing a string of regulars, Town put on a scintillating display that was up there with some of their most memorable cup exploits of recent years, sending the travelling fans home proud as punch and putting us in the hat for Monday’s eagerly anticipated draw.

The management team have often talked about squad depth but this was one occasion where we were so stretched that the bench included two academy players and a newly acquired free agent in defender Sean Tarima.

A free hit then perhaps, but few could have predicted the extent to which we took the game to promoted Billericay and their established dangermen even if a couple of them were rested.  In fact, for large periods of the game, it was Town who looked more like the team from a higher division.

Even when we tired in the last 15 minutes, a rearguard action marshalled superbly by the impenetrable Junior Velasquez, making his first full start for club, kept our National League South opponents out.

 Playing without fear and with confidence in each other’s contribution, Town were anything but overawed by the occasion, relying on their trademark interplay and creating the best of the early opportunities, two of them falling to Amrit Bansal-McNulty – relishing the No. 10 role on the day — and one to Ayo Tanimowo.

Joe Wright in the home goal was by far the busier of the two keepers though Dylan Thompson produced arguably the save of the half, sticking out a strong left hand while falling backwards to keep out deflected Ricay attack.

That came on 25 minutes but moments later, Town were almost rewarded for their enterprise when the ball was pulled back to Bansal-McNulty who rattled the crossbar.

An away goal then would have been fully merited so it was all the more irksome when Billericay grabbed the lead in the last minute of first-half normal time, Jon Benton given too much space to rifle the ball home.

A halftime deficit appeared on the cards but no. Three minutes into stoppage time the home defence didn’t deal with Mickey Parcell’s cross and Tommy Avgoustidis was on hand to equalise.

H-T 1-1

A different halftime team talk? Who knows but Tommy’s tally quickly became a brace. Within three minutes of the restart he took advantage of a hesitant defence by reacting quickest to a chip into the box to put us in front.

Ricay’s response was to throw on their big guns – three of them – but it was starter Callum Watts who almost made us pay for a misplaced corner by running almost the full length of the pitch, only to shoot narrowly wide.

The next goal was always going to be crucial and it went Town’s way on 63 minutes as substitute Nana Kyei, who had replaced the limping Shiloh Remy, finished off a typical Town move of flicks and tricks by expertly shooting beyond Wright and into the corner. Cue pandemonium in the away end.

Town now had daylight between them and a place in the next round and the gap should have got wider as an Avgoustidis thunderbolt – worth of any hat-trick goal – crashed against the woodwork.

True we got lucky when Parcell, in trying to clear the ball with a Ricay forward breathing down his neck for a tap-in, only succeeded in hooking it against his own bar. The home fans protested it had crossed the line but referee deemed otherwise.

It could have been a turning point but Town breathed again and for all Billericay’s forward probing in the latter stages, we held firm.

Good value for the win? Just a bit – exemplified by the celebrations on the field and among the Town fans at the final whistle. Now let’s hope for that home draw for the third qualifying round on Oct 3 when the scheduled Chatham league game will be moved.

Town

Thompson; Parcell, Hart, Valasquez (Tarima 93), Tanimowo; Leonard,Davies, Remy; May-Parrott (Ackeson 82), Bansal-McNulty (Corrigan 71), Avgoustidis (Domi 85)

We are very pleased to announce Gates Geely – Waltham Cross as our new media partners for the next two seasons.

Gates, established in 1920, has been an established family-owned centre for automotive expertise for North London, Essex and beyond, and now offer Geely’s range of hybrid SUVs and electric vehicles.

In partnering with Enfield Town FC, their logo will appear on our matchday graphics, YouTube content, and interview backdrop, and Geely vehicles will visit the Dave Bryant Stadium on selected matchdays.

Visit them here: Gates Geely

As part of our celebrations marking 25 years of ETFC, we are releasing a special-edition jersey, celebrating our silver anniversary by recognising the lifeblood of our football club: our members.

The silver shirt with white detailing will feature a striking Enfield beast graphic comprised of the names of every owner of the club this season. 

Make sure your name is recognised! If you haven’t renewed your membership, or would like to sign someone up to own a piece of the club and include their name on a piece of ETFC history, you have until next week to do so. Please also ensure that you have not opted out of the public register if you would like to be included.

Membership | Renew / Sign Up as an owner of Enfield Town FC

Those of you who have contributed upwards of £25/month to the Boost the Budget scheme will receive the shirt as part of your rewards packages. 

The image displayed is a digital render, though please note that this is not necessarily the final version.