Gavin Macpherson sees this Saturday’s break in action as a blessing in disguise in an attempt to get the squad back to full fitness after so many recent enforced absentees due to injury niggles and illness.

With our game at Horsham postponed until mid-January because of their involvement in the FA Trophy, it’s a chance to recharge batteries and shake off any tiredness with our next game not scheduled until Dec 16 against Dulwich Hamlet.

“I don’t think it’s a bad thing,” said Gavin. “We’ve got a couple of muscle injuries which we weren’t seeing earlier in the season and which perhaps tell you that your load is too much.”

Nevertheless we are third in the league, ahead of the likes of Billericay and other so-called big-hitters, a huge testament to all involved.

“We’ve been Saturday-Tuesday, Saturday-Tuesday and the squad is thin compared with some clubs,” said Gavin. “The modern game is a lot sharper than it used to be and there’s a lot more stamina involved.”

“It’s a chance to have a well-earned rest but from a management standpoint we have to keep their levels up and we’ll be working in training towards Dulwich to try and give us the best chance.”

Enfield Town 0 Brightlingsea Regent 1

Report By Andrew Warshaw

Those who were there couldn’t believe what they witnessed.

Total domination practically from first minute to last, no fewer than NINETEEN chances, the woodwork hit FOUR times, a missed penalty and an outfield player forced to go in goal but with nothing to do except pick the ball out his net once.

If you think we didn’t take the Velocity Cup seriously on Tuesday,  think again.

Yes, Gavin Macpherson made wholesale changes, some of them enforced. And yes we had no back-up goalkeeper on the bench with Reece Beckles-Richards forced to go between the sticks when Rhys Forster came off with concussion.

But hindsight is a wonderful thing and if you look at previous team sheets, only on one, perhaps two,  occasions this season have we had a goalkeeper on the bench. Not only that. You can count on two fingers the number of times our keeper has had to go off in recent campaigns.

The fact is we should have beaten Brightlingsea Regent by a landslide to reach the fourth round. Instead we are now out of all domestic cup competitions before Christmas.

With so many either still recovering from injury niggles or sickness, the management team quite understandably decided to look at some of our fringe players and in that respect it was a hugely worthwhile exercise.

Jordan Adeoye, only 17, looked assured and accomplished in a rarely employed back three while Obi Onyeahgwara and Gucchi Soulya-Osekanongo were just as eye-catching.

Mickey Parcell skippered the side and straight from kick-off the chances came thick and fast.

Soulya-Osekanongo sent a flying header just wide and Beckles-Richards thumped a shot against the post.

On 33 minutes, Reece volunteered to take over the goalkeeping gloves after Forster – who had earlier been unceremoniously flattened by Derek Asamoah and needed lengthy treatment – continued to feel the effects of the heavy challenge and had to come off.

The chances kept coming our way however, Soulya-Osekanongo and Lewis Taaffe having shots blocked before we were awarded a penalty on the stroke of halftime.

With Sam Youngs among the heavyweight subs, Marcus Wyllie – who had come off the bench to take Beckles-Richards’ place up front – stepped up but blasted the spotkick against the bar.

H-T 0-0

It seemed only a matter of time, however, before we would open our account as we carried on where we left off but Regent continued to ride their luck.

Marcus clipped the post, Taaffe somehow didn’t score from three yards but out of the blue, right on the hour, Regent delivered a sucker punch, scoring with their only effort on target through a Zack Littlejohn header from a freekick.

We should have been out of sight by then and continued to pepper the visitors’ goal but to no avail.

Kyle Bailey rattled the bar from a corner, only to for the ball to fortuitously bounce back into keeper Lewis Greene’s ’s arms. Greene then pulled off a miraculous one-handed save, Youngs drove over while a string of crosses continued to strike a visiting player first.

It wasn’t to be our night but Gavin Macpherson was philosophical in defeat.

 “That’s football but there were plenty of positives,” said Gavin. “A few players came in tonight, one or two from the academy,  and did themselves a power of good. That needs to be put out there.”

“We changed almost an entire side yet I’ve been more disappointed at times when we’ve won games.  It was probably the most chances we’ve created in any game this season.

“Did they do what they were asked and gave everything? Yes. Did we not quite have the quality in front of goal? Also yes. But sometimes you have to scratch your head and move on.”

Town:

Forster (Wyllie 33); Parcell (youngs, 70), Adeoye, Bailey; Knight, Birch, Donnellan, Soulya-Osekanongo, Onyeagwara (Davies, 75); Beckles-Richards, Taaffe.

Only one domestic knockout competition remains for Town to have a crack at this season as Brightlingsea Regent are the visitors to the QEII Stadium in the Third Round of the Velocity Cup tonight.

The winners will be away to Hashtag United in the Fourth Round.

Following relegation last season, Regent have made a strong start in the Isthmian Division One North and are currently fourth with 25 points from 14 games. On Saturday they downed Brentwood 2-0 at home, overtaking them in the process.

In the previous round of the Velocity, they defeated Grays Athletic 5-0 and there will be a definite result tonight as it’s straight to penalties if we are level at the end of normal time.

After being humbled by lower opposition in the Middlesex Senior Cup, you can bet the players will not be under-estimating tonight’s visitors.

“I don’t think anyone’s gonna hammer me for saying the priority is the league but it’s not a competition we want to just chuck away,” said Gavin Macpherson.

Tickets for tonight and our forthcoming home games are available here

https://enfieldtownfc.ktckts.com/brand/match-tickets

Enfield Town 2 Margate 0

Report From Andrew Warshaw

A first-half brace was enough for Enfield Town to see off lowly Margate and move into December in third spot, an encouraging eight points clear of the first side outside the playoff places.

But for the opening 15 minutes when the visitors threatened an upset, we ran out comfortable winners in front of 500-plus fans in freezing conditions despite several starters still suffering from the flu bug that has ripped through the camp.

After Margate wastefully failed to make their early promise count, fluffing a couple of presentable chances, Town took the lead against the run of play.

Birthday boy Mickey Parcell’s delicious cross was met by Sam Youngs who, with his back to goal, hooked the ball into the corner with an acrobatic finish (pictured).

Gate should have levelled when danger man Olly Box beat the offside trap but couldn’t beat Rhys Forster who made an outstanding stop.

It proved a decisive miss. On 25 minutes Reece Beckles-Richards rode three challenges as he needled his way into the box and toe-poked the ball home to double Town’s lead.

From then on, apart from a Ben Greenhalgh curling effort, we were rarely threatened, the pacey Box having gone off injured before halftime.

 H-T 2-0

Margate’s poor decision making in the final third had cost them dearly and they were fortunate not to fall further behind by the finish. To add to their woes, former Towner Lewis Knight was given the bird by those behind the goal when substituted midway through the second half.

Marcus Wyllie, one of those under the weather, appeared to have made the game by lashing in a third goal, only for the offside flag to be mysteriously raised.

And there were further attempts from Ollie Knight, whose curling effort was just off target, and a Joe Payne 20-yard screamer that was a whisker away.

In the dying moments, Parcell almost scored a birthday special as his jinxed his way into the area, only for Harry Seaden to ruin the script by pulling off a last-ditch save.

After seeing his side keep a much-needed clean sheet and, importantly, manage the game out, Gavin Macpherson was pleased with the application.

“Some of them were still suffering and Jimbo was ready to come off at halftime so I’m absolutely delighted,” said Gavin. “We were running on empty yet controlled the game for large periods.”

“After the couple of weeks we’ve had when the level  dropped, partly because we didn’t have the personnel in the right positions with square pegs in round holes, it was a good day at the office.”

Town

Forster; Parcell, Okotcha, Richmond, Payne (Bailey, 84); Adjei-Hersey (Taaffe, 64), Thomas, Youngs, Knight; Wyllie (birch, 87), Beckles-Richards

Nominations have opened for election to the Board of Directors. If you wish to stand for election email our company Secretary Akin Yilmaz at  akin1967@hotmail.com with the names of the three current members who are supporting your nomination.

Alongside these names you should also provide up to 200 words supporting your nomination, these will be shared with members if a ballot is required.

Nominations close 14^th December. If the number of candidates exceed the four places up for election there will be a ballot of members to decide the successful nominations.

To stand for election you must have been a member for at least one year.

To coincide with the AGM the following timetable has been set the annual elections to the Board

• Nomination Period Opened Thursday 30^th November
• Nomination Period Closes Thursday 14^th December
• Ballot papers sent to members (if there is an election) by Thursday 28^th December
• Ballot closes Thursday 18^th January
• Results announced at AGM on Thursday 1^stFebruary

If you are unable to complete an application via email,  hard copies will be available in the club shop on matchdays or can be posted to you on request.

After taking one point from our last two games, Enfield Town aim to get back to winning ways tomorrow as we move into December against an inconsistent Margate

The Gate lie 16^th in the table but achieved a commendable 2-2 draw at Bognor in midweek following three straight defeats.

Two of those, however, were by a single goal against Horsham and Wingate and Finchley.

Following our euphoric Fenix trophy debut on Tuesday, it’s back to the bread and butter of league action and with no league fixture scheduled for Dec 9, it’s important we take the opportunity to maintain the pressure on our rivals in and around the leading playoff positions.

Joe Payne is available for selection again after a one-match ban while it is hoped the bug that has ripped through the camp and hindered selection last weekend at Chatham will have sufficiently eased.

“Last weekend was a really difficult game in respect of everything that was going on,” said Gavin Macpherson.

“I’m hopeful we’ll be in better shape. It’ll be a chance for us go for it  because we need to put a win on the board.”

“It’s no secret we’ve been looking for reinforcements but it’s not easy. It’s about bringing the right person in as far as the dressing room is concerned.”

Meanwhile, just a reminder that our Boxing Day derby at Cheshunt has been brought forward to 1pm.

COYT!

Enfield Town 3 BK Skjold 1

Report by Andrew Warshaw

What a night, what an occasion, what an atmosphere!

On a freezing  midweek evening, just short of 600 fans embraced our European debut on Tuesday and were in full voice as we beat the holders BK Skjold in the Fenix trophy that generated huge media exposure across the capital and beyond.

Against a well organised Danish team that may have been understrength but still posed a considerable challenge, we were well worth the win that puts us in an ideal position with three matches to go in the group stage.

With key players again missing through illness – this time Rhys Forster and James Richmond – Mickey Parcell occupied yet another defensive role by switching to centrehalf  with the versatile Lewis Taaffe filling in at rightback and Adi Connolly in goal.

Yet throughout the 90 minutes, we limited Skjold to few clearcut chances which could end up as crucial since they are going to be a far tougher nut to crack in the reverse fixture in March.

Town had the better of the early exchanges, Josh Okotcha planting a header over the bar and Sam Youngs putting a header just wide while at the other end winger Marius Framnes – Skjold’s most dangerous player on the night – took advantage of misplaced pass by firing in a shot across goal though with no Danish player close enough to get a touch.

The deadlock was broken on 37 minutes as Town deservedly went in front. Skjold only half-cleared a Joe Payne freekick and the ball fell to Youngs who smashed it home.

Visiting keeper Thomas Thygesen then saved from Ollie Knight and Marcus Wyllie in quick succession as we looked assured and composed without necessarily playing the sparkling football we have seen in some of the recent home games.

H-T 1-0

The second half continued pretty much in the same though at times became somewhat scrappy.

Town continued to look a threat, however,  and when Wyllie’s pace took him past his marker, his cross just evaded Reece Beckles-Richards.

 While we only one goal ahead, however, the Danes were always in with a chance and so it proved with a sucker punch on 80 minutes as substitute Mattias Gorse lashed home an equalising volley with their only second-half shot on target.

Would we end up being frustrated and disappointed on our big night? Thankfully not. Four minutes later, Youngs restored our lead from the penalty spot after Thygesen was adjudged to have tripped Beckles-Richards.

There was still time during six minutes added on for Wyllie to make it three with a goal worthy of the Keystone Kops as he nicked the ball off Thygesen following a woeful defensive cross-field howler, sparking wild celebrations (pictured).

The only downside in otherwise memorable night and brilliant atmosphere was an injury to the excellent Adjei-Hersey that will have to be assessed.

“Really pleased with the performance, no-one could have denied us six which would have given us a goal difference cushion,” said a distinctly under the weather Gavin Macpherson who left much of the dugout duties to his coaching staff.

 “We had to adjust  yet again because of missing players and all in all the boys adapted themselves brilliantly. We had a real team ethic and it was more like the Enfield Town I know. The support was magnificent from first minute to last and really drove the boys on. If we can get two results against Llantwit Major, Copenhagen could be the decider.”

Town:

Connolly; Payne, Parcell, Okotcha, Taaffe (bailey, 86); Adjei-Hersey (Soulya-Osekanongo, 80), Thomas, youngs, Knight; Wyllie, Beckles-Richards (Donnellan, 90)

It’s finally here and you can almost touch the anticipation and excitement

On Tuesday night, Enfield Town take a break from the league season as we began our very first European campaign with our debut in the Fenix Trophy (kickoff 7.45).

Holders BK Skjold from Denmark are our visitors in Group A of the competition under the lights, generating phenomenal  media interest from across the capital and beyond.

Just to remind everyone, Fenix is a UEFA-approved European competition for non-professional clubs of exceptional social, historical, and cultural distinctiveness.

This is the third season of the tournament, with 12 teams taking part from right across the continent. BK Skjold beat Prague Raptors in the last final in Milan.

The format is four groups of three, with 2 home and 2 away games. The other side in our group is Llantwit Major of Wales

“I see the competition as more than just football. It’s a chance for us to play against teams that at their foundation have so much in common with Enfield Town,” said Gavin Macpherson.

“Of course there is a competitive football side and it’s a competition we would like to do well in, but I realise there is a much bigger picture with a common meaning for all taking part. On team selection, after some issues on Saturday around illness it remains to be seen what shape we’ll be in.”

If anyone is around during the day to help out with a number of tasks, it would be much appreciated.

And make sure you stick around in the bar after the game when we have the incredibly talented duo, Acoustic Fidelity, playing their own unique versions of all the hits you love.

Get your passports ready… we are very excited to finally confirm a date for our away fixture with Copenhagen side BK Skjold!

Our game in the Danish capital will take place on the evening of Tuesday 5th March 2024.

We will be offering a limited number of travel packages to include flights, accommodation, and meals. If you would be interested in taking up this offer, please register your interest in the Club Shop or contact a club representative by email or on a matchday.

Of course, we host BK Skjold this Tuesday evening at the QEII in our opening game of the tournament in Group A. Tickets for the game are still available here: Enfield Town v BK Skjold [FENIX] Tickets

We hope to see as many of you – home and away – as possible!

Chatham Town 3 Enfield Town 1

Report by Andrew Warshaw

Let’s start on a positive note. Straight after yesterday’s game, a Chatham fan came up to me and said we had the noisiest away fans in the division, even in defeat.

A couple of minutes later, Gavin Macpherson emerged from the dressing room and, before his post-match interview,  headed straight to the away end and made a point of thanking them in person.

“We have the best supporters in this league by a country mile and I’m humbled to be their manager,” Gavin explained.

It was perhaps the only plus point to take away from another chastening setback that saw us swap places with Chatham and drop to third.

It only served to exemplify what can happen when you have key players missing and, with a stretched squad, one or two others on the pitch struggling with health issues, a couple more forced to play out of position and only four on the bench, one of them from the academy.

That’s not making excuses but it’s certainly a factor to take into consideration. Having said that, Chatham were the better side in all areas of the pitch (few defences keep Marcus Wyllie quiet) and at the end of the day, we didn’t have enough guile or nous to deserve a point  and, once again, conceded goals for fun, now with the sixth worst stats in the division.

Without the suspended Joe Payne and the ill Ollie Knight and with one or two others below-par, Mickey Parcell was switched to the left with Kyle Bailey filling in at rightback and Lewis Taaffe playing out wide.

In truth, we struggled to contain an athletic Chatham side that had two quick wingers who were constant menaces and fell behind on 21 minutes. Ashley Nzala bamboozled Bailey whose late challenge on the edge of the box meant only one thing, deadball specialist  Jack Evans netting with a sumptuous freekick.

Within four minutes, however, we had levelled with a Sam Youngs header that looped into the net (pictured), only to fall behind again from the penalty spot when Jamie Yila got the better of Bailey who promptly brought him down.   Yila took the spotkick himself with a stuttering run-up and restored the Chats lead.

Cue a tactical substitution as Bailey, who had been given a torrid time,  was replaced by Obi Onyeagwara  with Taaffe moving to the right.

H-T 1-2

For a while, the move worked as the game became far more finely balanced and we stopped Chatham dictating play, posing a threat ourselves though without really testing a formidable home backline.

Youngs was pushed further forward as we tried to hit back but with 15 minutes to go, the hosts put the game to bed.  Wyllie lost possession in the opposition half and Nzala caught Josh Okotcha off guard, timing his run down the right to perfection to stay onside and Chris Dickson finished off the cross from close range. In the closing stages, Ben Allen almost made it four when hitting the post in a goalmouth scramble.

“They scored their third when we were perhaps having our most decent spell and it killed us,” said Gavin. “We didn’t create an awful lot but one of two wouldn’t have played with a fully fit squad.”

“That’s not making excuses. We tried hard but keep making the same mistakes. Perhaps I’m at a time when I need to analyse exactly where we are. The fans deserve far more than they got today.”

Town: Forster; Bailey (Onyeagwara, 37), Okotcha, Richmond, Parcell; Adjei-Hersey, Thomas, Youngs, Taaffe; Wyllie, Beckles-Richards (Donnellan, 73)