Following a 10 am inspection, the pitch has been passed fit and today’s game against Tonbridge Angels is ON (3pm k-o)

COYT!

Enfield Town go into their first home game of 2026, weather permitting, buoyed by Joe Wright re-signing between the sticks but at the same time no longer being able to call on the exciting talents of Olly Davis.

After three straight defeats, halting the losing run is paramount as we attempt to start moving away from the danger zone by hopefully securing a much-needed double over Tonbridge Angels following the second successive postponement of our match against Hampton and Richmond.

Last Saturday’s last-gasp defeat at Totton was hard to take for everyone who was there especially given the display was much improved from the two previous losses.

Gavin admitted that losing both Cian Dillon and Joe Kizzi in a matter of days had taken its toll on recent performances.

“I’m not making excuses but they were both catalysts in terms of what we were hoping going forward. Both were so crucial in their own right,” said Gav. “It may be hard for some people to imagine that two players could have that  much of an effect. Finding clones of those two, even on loan, is near impossible.”

But with virtually half the campaign still to go there is plenty of optimism in the camp that last season’s survival act can be repeated.

“We went through something similar last season but at no point did I ever think we were down as others may have thought,” said a defiant Gavin. “It’s just not in my nature. But I want to get this out there: at this club, which we all love, to bring in the right players at this level can be desperately difficult for well established reasons.”

It is very much hoped that Joe, in his third spell at the club between the sticks after no fewer than five other keepers have had a go this season, can help push us up the table. “Joe knows the club inside out and is a big influence in the dressing room.”

Having opted for Rhys Forster at the start of the season, Gavin opened up further on the rationale behind bringing Joe back after a stint at Step 3 Aveley.

“In the summer, I felt that since they both played their part last season it was important to recognise that. I understand why Joe made the decision he did after I couldn’t guarantee anything at the time. When Rhys left, we had a long-term option with Tom Norcott but him getting injured was an unexpected blow.”

“Then we had George, who also got injured, and Hubert which was something of a quick fix. We simply couldn’t go on like that.  Joe and I have talked about what happened in the summer and I’m confident he will be one of the players who drives us on to where we need to be.”

As for Olly Davis, who had just broken into the starting eleven – much to many supporters’ delight – there is some surprise that he has opted to switch to Hemel Hempstead in the same division.

“Quite simply, Hemel made in an official approach and Olly weighed everything up and agreed to go,” Gavin disclosed. “I’m disappointed to lose Olly but not IN Olly. I understand how football works.”

Explaining the detailed thinking behind how Olly, who started a number of games on the bench until recently, was employed, Gavin added: “He’s a maverick type of player. To find that sort of player given our position, you need time to find a way to fit him into the right place in the team in terms of strengths and weaknesses. He had made that transition and I want to tell the fans we did absolutely everything we could to try and keep him.”

Andrew Warshaw

Important footnote:

FREE ENTRY TO ENFIELD TOWN FC FOR ALL PUBLIC SERVICE WORKERS

We are inviting all home and away supporters who work in Public Services with free entry on Saturday.

Just bring your work ID with you to the side gate by the turnstiles for complimentary access to the game. The event is an opportunity for the club to say “thank you” to those who work in essential services.

Eligibility for Free Entry Free admission is available to all those employed in public services, including: ▪️NHS and Care sector, ▪️Ambulance Service, ▪️Postal Service, ▪️Police Service, ▪️Prison and Probation Services, ▪️Fire Brigade Service, ▪️Councils, ▪️Schools, ▪️Nurseries and Colleges Transport Services, ▪️HM Forces, ▪️Voluntary Sector Organisations

On the Day: Entry can also be gained on production of appropriate Work ID at the gate on match day.

We are delighted to announce that goalkeeper Joe Wright has re-joined the club for a third spell.

A hugely popular figure with the fans, Joe goes straight into the squad for tomorrow’s game against Tonbridge having agreed to leave Aveley.

“Joe knows this club inside out and is a big influence in the dressing room,” said Gavin Macpherson.

“Joe and I have talked about what happened in the summer, which is well chronicled, and I’m confident he will be one of the players who drives us on to where we need to be.”

More in the Tonbridge match preview later today.

 Welcome Back, Joe!

We can confirm the departure of Olly Davis who has agreed to join Hemel Hempstead Town.

Olly made 12 appearances for the club, scoring three goals.

We wish Olly all the best for the future. Gavin Macpherson will address his departure in the Tonbridge match preview later today.

As part of the newly announced National League partnership, Enfield Town are delighted to be working with TIC Health, helping our players and supporters with rapid diagnostic scanning and healthcare services.

TIC Health has been supporting the NHS for many years and recognises the very real challenge of long waiting times. They also understand that private healthcare comes at a high price. They have created a membership that allows everybody access to the benefits of private diagnostics and healthcare, at an extremely low and affordable price.

Enfield Town Supporters can join the TIC Health membership programme from as little as £25 per month HERE and benefit from the same rapid scanning that the players get and free doctor’s appointments

These amazing memberships include:

• Unlimited MRI, CT and X-Ray scans
• Unlimited online GP consultations
• Unlimited Mental Health support
• 24-hour scan reports
• No waiting lists
• Same day, flexible appointments
• Annual health check

When you join, add in promo code THENFD1 on checkout and you will also receive a bundle of gifts including a Club branded mug and t-shirt as well as a TIC Health pen, autograph book and stress football.

TIC Health will be running a fantastic New Year promotion with further details to follow.

As many of you might have read elsewhere, tonight’s game against Hampton and Richmond Borough has been postponed following a pitch inspection – the second time this particular fixture has had to be called off.

A rescheduled date will be announced as soon as both clubs can agree.

AFC Totton 3-2 Enfield Town
Report by Martin Bentley

The phrase “conceded an injury time winner” has appeared with depressing regularity in match reports this season. Sad to report that it appears once again in this report, as a Tony Lee header in the third minute of stoppage time saw mid-table AFC Totton take all three points from an absorbing game at the Snows Stadium. The defeat was particularly hard for Town to take, as their performance was a huge improvement on recent showings, only for old failings to cost them a point at the death.

With Lamar Reynolds recalled to the starting line-up and Avan Jones replacing Billy Leonard on the right flank, Town just about edged the opening 15 minutes, and got their noses in front when Tosh Gallimore was fouled some 25 yards from goal. Olly Davis stepped up to curl a delicious free kick over the wall and giving home keeper Jacob Knightbridge no chance.

The home side countered with a series of swift attacks down Town’s left, with Nino Adom-Malaki and Henry Hawkins struggling to cope with some incisive passing and dangerous crosses. The equaliser arrived on 23 minutes when winger Ashley Clarke danced past an exposed Adam Thompson and floated a cross onto the head of the dangerous Lee. Totton’s leading scorer also had a free kick opportunity in an almost identical position to Davis’ earlier effort, but his low drive was well saved by Hubert Graczyk in the Town goal. The home side then took the lead in first half stoppage time from yet another right-wing corner; this time Ralph Vigrass was left with a free header at the far post, and Town found themselves frustratingly trailing at the interval.

Town certainly came out firing in the second half through, with Davis apparently on a one-man mission to level the scores with efforts on 47 minutes (well saved by Knightbridge), 51 minutes (deflected for a corner) and 53 minutes (saved again). A gold-plated chance was wasted after 63 minutes however when Jones sliced the ball wide from 5 yards following a goalmouth scramble. It was beginning to feel like one of those days (it turned out, it was indeed one of those days, but more about that later), but, just as the home side were beginning to re-establish some control in midfield, Town came up with an equaliser. Gallimore’s 68^th minute long ball could be best described as ‘optimistic’, but Reynolds took the ball down, sprinted clear of his marker and buried the ball emphatically beyond Knightbridge.

No further significant chances came Town’s way in the following 20 minutes however, yet the allocated 4 minutes of added time unfolded with hair-tearing predictability. With Town pinned deep in their own half, they were forced to deal with a series of corners and free kicks.. Home captain Tyler Cordner had already hit the foot of Graczyk’s post with a snap shot before, annoyingly, depressingly, frustratingly – I have now run out of adverbs – they got one right; a left wing corner was powered home by the outstanding Lee, and the three points remained in Hampshire. The game concluded in chaos with a yellow card for Gallimore and a red one for Town coach Carl Garstang, apparently for protesting about a foul committed by Lee as the cross came over.

Worryingly, the winner was greeted by the majority of travelling fans with a resigned shrug. It’s been said before, but if games automatically ended at 90 minutes, Town would now be in lower mid-table instead of 23^rd. Not sure where we go from here.

Team: Graczyk, Benjamin, Thompson, Hawkins, Jones (Leonard 69), Bullas (Ackason 90+4), Youngs, Gallimore, Odom-Malaki, Davis, Reynolds

Unused subs: Connolly, Knight, Brown, Donaldson

Hemel Hempstead Town 3 Enfield Town 0

Report by Andrew Warshaw

What is it about teams who supposedly can’t score goals taking it out on Enfield Town?

Three days after letting in four without reply against Chelmsford, who had netted only three times in six previous outings, Hemel Hempstead Town – who hadn’t scored in five in all competitions — secured a convincing 3-0 victory on Tuesday as we ended 2025 on a hugely disappointing note.

A bitterly cold evening that began auspiciously with the kickoff delayed by 45 minutes because of floodlight failure caused by a local power outage ended with the travelling Towners fans wishing the lights had gone out for good to prevent such a poor result.

Everyone, not least Gavin Macpherson, expected a reaction from the Boxing Day debacle against Chelmsford. Instead it was more of the same as Town never got going on a frosty artificial pitch and only really upped their game when already 3-0 down and playing catch-up.

Ending the year in the bottom two was certainly not what the doctor ordered, the only positive being that there is half a season to go to put things right.

Gavin made three changes from Boxing Day, bringing in Henry Hawkins, Olly Davis for his first league start and Bailey Brown. But after a decent first 10 minutes, there was a notable lack of creativity or the ability to keep the ball for more than a few seconds.

It didn’t help, of course, that Town were hit by yet another stroke of bad luck with the news that Cian Dillon will be out for the remainder of his loan spell with a hamstring injury. It remains to be seen how that situation is addressed going forward.

Cian’s hold-up play was certainly missed as Town struggled to gain any momentum against a team who moved the ball far better.

Most of Hemel’s best work was down their right where Samuel Adenola was a constant threat and two quick goals within six first-half minutes proved decisive.

After 24 minutes,  a route one ball over the top saw  Hubert Graczyk keep out Joe White’s effort but when the ball fell to Hemel top scorer Millar Matthews-Lewis, he tapped home.

Six minutes later, the Tudors’ advantage was doubled as an unmarked Mauro Vilhete rifled the ball into the far top corner before any Town player could close him down.

H-T 0-2

Town needed to regroup and for a few minutes looked like they might get back into it.

But with Davis struggling to impose himself against physical defenders and both he and Sam Youngs receiving minimal support from midfield, there was little overall change to the pattern of play.

Adinola fired narrowly wide via a deflection and after 62 minutes, the  Tudors made the game safe – ironically moments after Lemar Reynolds was introduced to try to reduce the deficit.

Town gave away a freekick and when George Williams’  delicious delivery found the feet of Matthews-Lewis, Graczyk could only push his shot back into the danger zone where Charlie Rowan delivered the killer blow.

That, effectively, was that. Although Reynolds and Hawkins both went close late on, it was too little too late and now collective socks have to be pulled up for the visit to Totton on Saturday, followed by two home games.

Gavin was left distraught and frustrated in equal measure, especially given that we started with the same back three who have at times looked a formidable unit this season.

“I desperately wanted a reaction but the goals we are conceding, we’re not giving ourselves a chance of staying in football matches,” said Gav. “All of a sudden these things are creeping back and something has to change, whether it’s on the training pitch or personnel.”

“It runs a bit deeper than the defence, though, if truth be told. I asked all the players afterwards if they were hurting because we have a magnificent set of fans and this was unacceptable.

“The players have proved time and again that they will run through brick walls for the club but we were really poor in possession of the ball. Obviously the delay disrupted preparations but it wouldn’t have mattered if we kicked off at 6am or midnight.  The fact is we are miles better than what we are showing at the moment and we need to man up as a group.”

Town

Graczyk; Benjamin, Hawkins, Thompson; Adom-Malaki, Bullas, Gallimore (Donaldson 88), Brown (Reynolds 61), Leonard; Davis, Youngs

Gavin Macpherson will be looking for an immediate reaction to round off 2025 when we visit Hemel Hempstead on Tuesday (kickoff 7.45)  in the first of two successive away games.

The heavy Boxing Day home defeat to Chelmsford was as comprehensive as it was unexpected and something of a wake-up call after a four-game unbeaten run.

The management team will be hoping that all the good work achieved during that spell will not be undone but The Tudors will also be looking for a response after their narrow Boxing Day defeat to Chesham when they went down to 10 men and were undone by what manager Lee Allinson described as a “criminal” refereeing decision.

Hemel have now gone four league games without scoring during which time they have picked up a solitary point. On paper that should work in Town’s favour but we should take it with a pinch of salt given that Chelmsford’s goalscoring record hadn’t exactly been prolific before their demolition job on us.

The fact that Allinson’s team are still eighth in the table and pushing for a playoff place says much about their ambitions, coupled with some seasoned, experienced players in a deep squad.

“Whether Chelmsford was a blip, I’ll be able to answer that better after Hemel,” said Gavin. “The season isn’t over whether or not we achieve the points tally we ideally want over the holiday period. Hemel have taken a bit of a dip recently but before that, as the table shows, they were doing really well. They will be looking to bounce back and I just hope our players can reset themselves and rediscover who they are.”

AW

Enfield Town 0 Chelmsford City 4

Report by Andrew Warshaw

Few, if any, saw this result coming. After all, a resurgent  Town had put together a four-game unbeaten run while Chelmsford had only scored three goals in their six previous league outings.

But the Clarets did what they always do the day after Christmas, making it seven Boxing Day wins on the spin, this time emphatically giving Town a right pasting, hugely disappointing for a bumper 1,200-plus crowd and leading Gavin Macpherson to apologise for a far from festive display.

Ahead of kick-off, Chelmsford re-signed Kane Crichlow and acquired Charlie Adams, both quality players who contributed to bullying us all over the pitch with the visitors quicker and stronger.

Their afternoon got off to a perfect start straight from the kick-off when the dangerous Lyle Taylor was left unmarked from a flicked-on corner and hooked the ball home.

Caught cold, Town, who made one change with the returning Xav Benjamin replacing Avan Jones, rallied with a Sam Youngs volley that missed by a whisker. Youngs then went close again with a freekick but the visitors always looked the more composed and clinical side.

Chelmsford  had already given Town two huge let-offs — Hayden Bullas clearing one effort off the line and Taylor lashing over from close range — before doubling their lead just before halftime through Archie Tamplin’s superb curler from the edge of the box.

Town were uncharacteristically shaky at the back and second best in midfield. As a result, the front two didn’t create enough while at the other end Graczyk had to fling himself to his right to prevent a third Clarets goal.

H-T 0-2

Sadly it didn’t take long for that to change. With superior fluency and transition play, the visitors always seemed to have one extra man and five minutes after the break, Crichlow was given time and space to mark his return by rolling the ball into the net.

It was now all over as a contest and it was no surprise when Taylor completed the rout with a simple follow-up.

If there was a shred of positivity, it was the cameo performances of subs Olly Davis and Eli Ackeson but that would be clutching at straws as we fell into the bottom three though with half the season still to play.

Only at Dover when we were down to nine and Chesham to 10 have Town been so comprehensively dismantled this season but there is plenty of time to put things right.

“We were bullied out the game in some respects which is strange for a team of mine,” said Gavin. “Their full-time training really came into play compared with our boys but that’s not an excuse. Today was as bad as it’s been this season and I have to apologise to the fans after a good run of form.”

“We were way, way below where I expect us to be. Whether it’s just a blip, I’ll be able to answer that better after Hemel on Tuesday.”

Town (3-5-2): Graczyk; Benjamin, Thompson (Hawkins 70), Donaldson; Leonard, Adom-Malaki, Gallimore, Bullas (Brown 58), Youngs (Knight 86) Dillon (Ackason 71), Reynolds (Davis 58)