As expected with the high level of demand, we have sold out of tickets for Monday’s final within minutes of general release. Thank you all for your support. We apologise that several of you haven’t been able to secure a ticket.

The memo sent overnight saying that membership with Enfield Town FC Supporters Society Ltd is due for renewal before Fri 31 May 2024 was generated automatically in error

Please ignore this. A fresh update will be sent when technical issues have been resolved. Apologies for any confusion or inconvenience.

On safety advice provided by Chatham Town, the Isthmian League have decided our ticket allocation for Monday’s final will be capped at 400. Online sales will initially be offered to our members and season ticket holders. Any remaining tickets will then be offered for general sale to our supporters.

The club recognises that this will be hugely disappointing news to our fans. We have sought clarification on the decision, but it is a matter that is out of our control and we have to respect the advice and decision made.

Enfield Town 1 Wingate and Finchley 0

Report by Andrew Warshaw

This time there was no last-gasp setback like two years ago, no sense of gut-wrenching disappointment.

Instead, it was high-fives and euphoria all round in front of a record crowd of 2,225 as Enfield Town reached the playoff final on an unforgettable night of tension and excitement.

Of course the job’s not done yet, with a visit to divisional runners-up Chatham – with whom we recently drew 2-2 in our final league game of the season — on Bank Holiday Monday for the right to reach the Promised Land of Step 2 football.

The Chats squeezed through on penalties against Horsham in the other semifinal, perhaps the only frustration for Town as it meant we gave up the chance of a possible home final with the Hornets and instead have to travel to Kent.

But that should not detract from a hard-fought win over Wingate and Finchley who pushed us all the way, especially in the first half when the weight of expectation seemed to rest heavily on our shoulders before we threw off the shackles and went for it after the break.

With the huge attendance taking up all corners of the ground, we had the first big chance of the game just two minutes in as Jake Cass saw his shot pushed away by Ben Goode. Wingate went straight up the other end and we were indebted to Mickey Parcell for a timely block.

Thereafter the visitors made most of the first-half running but without producing too many clearcut openings. Anointed Chukwu flashed a low cross into the six-yard box but fortunately for Town, no teammate was on hand to convert.

The sight of Jake limping off didn’t help our cause, Joe Payne coming off the bench and Ollie Knight pushed into an inside left position.

It was a change that ultimately paid off but not for the remainder of the first half. Just before the break, Elliot Long brought an acrobatic save from Rhys Forster while Town went in without having produced much of a goal threat since the opening foray.

H-T 0-0

Our visitors might have enjoyed large swathes of possession but invariably score the majority of their goals in the first half.

It  was the perfect platform therefore to respond — and respond we did. Suddenly it was a different game as our front-foot football, helped by Payne’s long throws, changed the momentum.

Right on the hour, Marcus Wyllie’s cross found Scott Thomas who, instead of shooting himself, passed inside to Dylan Adjei-Hersey. With the goal at his mercy, Dylan somehow missed the target from three yards, albeit on one knee as he was getting up off the floor.

Playoff games can be won and lost in such moments but seven minutes later, a match of few clearcut chances was settled in our favour.

Another Payne long throw was launched into the area and met by  Taylor McKenzie, whose header looped beyond Goode, sending the  Dave Bryant Stadium into raptures (pictured).

Marcus missed a golden chance for 2-0 as Goode saved with his feet in a one-on-one before momentum switched back to the Blues who had another decent spell late on as they fought to restore parity but failed to capitalise on their strong running, invariably over-hitting their final pass.

Seven minutes of added time for a couple of lengthy stoppages seemed like an eternity but all that mattered was getting the line, prompting wild celebrations at the finish in contrast to the Wingate players who lay flat on their backs in desperate dejection.

“We knew that Wingate tend to fly out the blocks and when they normally score their goals so we worked on a system to be able to counter that,” said Gavin Macpherson. “Yet I wasn’t that happy because we should have got ourselves further up the pitch whenever we had the ball.”

“But I said to the players at halftime, ‘this is exactly when you go at it’ and that’s what they did. I have huge respect for how Wingate move the ball around but we trust in our process. We weren’t at our best with the football, let’s be honest, but for the boys to keep coming with me is a testament to them all.”

 Gavin explained why he wasn’t his usual self on the touchline where he is normally pacing up and down gesticulating to the players.

 “The playoffs are not an easy experience. I had to remain very focussed on certain aspects. I’ve learned a few lessons from playoff games before.  We’ve beaten a very good team and I certainly spare a thought for them. I know how it feels.”

Now to on to Chatham with memories still very raw about ‘that’ phantom whistle in the crowd last Saturday which played such a huge part in the Chats’ equaliser and suddenly takes on renewed significance.

“It matters because of course I’d rather be at home in the final,” sad Gavin. “But you don’t win the playoffs easily and we’re going to have to beat two very good sides to get promoted. We’ll prepare the boys in the best possible way and see what happens.”

Footnote: There will be a supporters coach to Chatham, to be advised

Town

Forster: Parcell, McKenzie, Tanner; Adjei-Hersey, Thomas, Youngs, Harvest, Knight; Cass (Payne, 43), Wyllie

We have been drawn against Prague Raptors in the semifinal of the Fenix Trophy in Desenzano, Lake Garda, with the other tie between FC United of Manchester and Lewes

Our game will be the second semi on May 10 at 9pm, with the final and third-place playoff two days later.

 The Raptors, who support a number of children’s charities, had a highly impressive Fenix group phase, winning all four ties and scoring 12 goals in the process.

Their website says the club is “hugely diverse – players, coaches & staff from 50 nationalities – including expats and Czechs.”

“We welcome staff and support from all ethnicities, beliefs, genders and sexual orientations. Both our Men’s and Women’s Amateur Football teams play in the Official Czech Republic Football pyramid.”

“We respect the beautiful game, and will play with pride and passion in the shirt, with high energy.”

The anticipation is mounting, the nerves jangling, the excitement almost touchable.

Eight months after our league campaign got under way, Wingate and Finchley (badge pictured) stand between Town and a place in the Isthmian League Premier division playoff final.

 Tomorrow’s semifinal clash with our near-neighbours at the Dave Bryant stadium for the right to contest the final on Bank Holiday Monday represents the culmination of a fantastic season after finishing third ahead of a string of so-called big hitters.

Now it’s all about taking one defeat in 15 games into the playoffs as we try to avoid a repetition of the heartbreak of two years ago and continue our quest for Step 2 football.

For manager Gavin Macpherson, tomorrow represents his fifth appearance in the playoffs, potentially hugely important when he sends his troops out to meet the Blues who finished one place and one point behind us.

“As long as we’re ourselves, I’m confident we’ll be okay,” said Gavin. “Of course you have to plan and prepare but that’s no different to any league game.

“The difference between this game and any since August is that you don’t have a chance to put it right in the next match if you don’t play well.”

Gavin’s totally understandable decision to rest certain players against Chatham appears to have led to a clean bill of health despite one or two still carrying knocks.

Training on Monday was all about tactics and how to impose ourselves on Wingate, a dangerous, pacey counter-attacking team.

“You don’t fluke getting in the playoffs. They’re a team that deserves respect and we have to be mindful of their strengths. They will probably be confident of beating us too but also wary of the threat we pose,” said Gav.

“Managing the situation over the last week has been difficult and a bit of jigsaw but it looks like it’s paid off. Having said that, I’m going to have to make some very, very tough decisions.”

“I can’t have any sentiment about what the players have done for me all season. That might sound awful but there’s a game to be won. What I will say is that the bench has to be in a position to help carry out a plan B or even C if plan A doesn’t work.”

“The fact is nothing is done even if we get through tomorrow. People might view where we are already  as a great achievement given the magnitude of the sides we we’ve been up against.”

“But to me winning tomorrow basically means we’ve got ourselves through to a cup final. Will I be nervous? I have a responsibility to remain focussed and level-headed because playoffs can be emotional affairs.”

**Important footnote. No alcohol, glass containers or pyrotechnics can be brought into the ground. There will be bag and body searches on entry so supporters are advised to arrive as early as possible.**

AW

Marcus Wyllie picked up three awards at the end-of-season presentations that took place in Butler’s Bar after Saturday’s game with Chatham.

Marcus won the Golden Boot, player’s player and supporters’ player of the season – two of which were presented by the daughters of Dave Bryant — while Sam Youngs picked up the manager’s player.

Lewis Taaffe won best goal for his sumptuous lob against Cheshunt while Ken Bales was voted club person of the season for his tireless work as a volunteer and Mickey Parcell picked up a special award for 200 appearances.

We are delighted to announce that advance tickets for our home playoff semifinal against Wingate and Finchley on Wednesday, May 1, kickoff 7.45, can be purchased on the following link.

Book quickly to avoid disappointment

https://enfieldtownfc.ktckts.com/event/playoff2/enfield-town-v-wingate-finchley-play-off-semi-final-

Enfield Town 2 Chatham 2

Report by Andrew Warshaw

So now we know. Neighbours Wingate and Finchley will be our playoff semfinal visitors on Wednesday as we edge ever closer to the Promised Land of Step 2 football.

Finishing third in the management team’s first season in charge, with one defeat in our last 15 league games, is nothing short of remarkable though we could easily have been runners-up but for a deliberate whistle in the away end which confused just about everyone, more of which later.

Town left all three of Marcus Wyllie, Scott Thomas and Sam Youngs on the bench with Wednesday in mind while a number of knocks and niggles meant another unfamiliar line-up which, on paper at least, didn’t augur well in front of another four-figure gate.

Indeed, we were second best for long periods of the first half as we allowed Chatham, going for a third straight promotion, to dictate play around our 4-1-4-1 system.

Against the run of the play, however, Town went in front. Ollie Knight, a welcoming sight in the starting line-up after his horror shoulder injury, was left unmarked after we recycled a corner and slid in to convert on the volley.

A succession of Chatham attacks, invariably conducted by the green-booted Jamie Yila, were repelled but it needed a superb double save by Ade Connolly – in for the injured Rhys Forster – to keep us in front. That is until the 32^nd minute when another cross by Yila caused panic at the back and was tucked home by Kareem Isiaka.

H-T 1-1

With a tweaked formation that gave us far more composure and attacking options, Town came out firing and were back in front within five minutes of the restart.

Jake Cass, captain for the day but who had one of his quieter games, played in Knight whose sublime chip looped over Mitch Beeney and nestled in the net (pictured).

Then came the moment of controversy that will be talked about for weeks to come.  After what everyone initially thought was the referee’s whistle for a Town freekick, Connolly duly appeared to half-leave a Sam Robbins’ misdirected stretched-leg clearance which ended up in the back of the Enfield net.

But it immediately became clear that the whistle had been blown from the Chatham end and despite protests from players and management team alike, the goal stood.

Cue a warning from the referee, announced on the tannoy, that if there was any repetition the game would be abandoned.

Whether or not Ade would have got to the ball anyway is debatable but players and management clearly felt hard done by.

 Yet we so nearly clinched the points late on as Knight got within a whisker of completing his hattrick with a rocket that crashed against the woodwork.

“It’s a fantastic achievement to finish third, the players who came in today were immense but I’ve a squad for a reason and they all deserve credit,” said Gavin Macpherson. “Chatham’s second equaliser was a joke. Basically it’s cheating.”

“I’m not blaming the referee, he can’t do anything about it.  Sam was cushioning the ball back to Ade who obviously didn’t think it would cost us anything. But what it did cost us was potentially gaining two home playoff games.”

Looking ahead to Wingate, who finished one point behind us, Gavin added: “It doesn’t matter who you play, they all deserve to be there. I don’t prefer anyone above anyone else. We’ll prepare in the best way we can.”

Town

Connolly; Robbins, McKenzie, Tanner; Payne, Adjei-Hersey, Harvest, Turner, Alves, Knight (Onyeagwara, 85) Cass (Hipployte, 75)

Advance tickets for Wednesday can be purchased on the following link:

https://enfieldtownfc.ktckts.com/event/playoff2/enfield-town-v-wingate-finchley-play-off-semi-final-

Enfield Town go into their final game of the regular season tomorrow knowing that victory over Chatham will secure the runners-up spot in the division but with one eye on our eagerly anticipated playoff semifinal home draw next week.

Despite our unbeaten 13-game run ending at Whitehawk in midweek, Town had already clinched third and can now look forward to an exciting climax with a four-figure gate expected for the visit of the Chats who are two points ahead of us.

Irrespective of tomorrow’s result we are guaranteed a home game on Wednesday against either Wingate & Finchley, Horsham or Billericay Town.

Billericay are presently outside the play off positions and need to win tomorrow when they entertain relegated Margate and hope that either Wingate & Finchley or Horsham lose. 

Mickey Parcell serves the last of a three-game ban but will not be the only forced absentee. A number of ongoing injuries, plus fresh knocks to a string of key players including goalkeeper Rhys Forster who definitely misses out, is certainly not ideal at such a critical time.

But Gavin Macpherson will put out the strongest possible side as we bid to overtake our visitors from Kent and finish second to give us the chance of back-to-back playoff home games.

“My thought process has always been to try and win every game but we have a few more niggles than we would have liked,” explained Gavin. “I’ve therefore got a balancing act in my own mind about who to play, with the playoff game coming so soon afterwards. It’s important not to compromise that. To be honest it’s one of the hardest decisions as a manager I’ve ever had to make.”

“It’s not a situation I thought I’d be in but don’t think for one moment it’s all doom and gloom. We may simply have to manage the Chatham game differently to how I expected in order to give ourselves the best chance of progressing next week.”

At the very least we will finish third, a phenomenal achievement in Gavin’s first season in charge.

“I told the players at the end of the training on Thursday that after Chatham they’ve got four games including Fenix to be able to win something. What a fantastic position to be in.

“I didn’t set out this season for us to be also-rans. I had a quiet belief in myself and my team and that we were building something to challenge. But to finish no lower than third in our first season, I’d have bitten your hand off for that.”

It is recommended that supporters arrive early to avoid any last minute queues at the turnstiles. Tickets can be purchased in advance as below

https://enfieldtownfc.ktckts.com/event/match22a/enfield-town-vs-chatham

Following the game,  the traditional  end of season presentation awards will take place not on the pitch but from 5.30pm in Butlers Bar.

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