Enfield Town 3 Tottenham Hotspur under-21s 2

Report by Andrew Warshaw

A fantastic crowd of 841 saw us overcome a strong Tottenham Hotspur development squad – supplemented by the surprise appearance of a former Spurs household name – with an excellent display that augers well for the upcoming weeks and months.

You only have to look at last season’s dire pre-season form, followed by a memorable campaign,  to know that nothing can be taken for granted one way or the other.

But there was a sense of optimism and positivity as we gave a tremendous account of ourselves despite still being without a string of players who are still unavailable through various commitments.

On a balmy evening, it was fitting that our player of the season Sam Youngs revelled in the occasion, opening the score after just three minutes by sweeping the ball into the bottom corner after excellent build-up play from Adam Cunnington and new signing Marcus Wyliie who might well have had a hattrick on the night.

Adi Connolly kept us in the lead with a superb stop from Max Robson following a left-wing cross from a certain Danny Rose — training again at Spurs after apparently seeking to leave Watford, and allowed to appear as an over-age player.

The sight of Rose lining up against Town certainly added extra interest and only served to galvanise us more even though right on the half-hour Spurs were back in the game, Roshaun Mathurin converting from the spot after being fouled by the returning Scott Shulton.

Halftime brought a wave of substitutions by both sides and just after the restart Wyllie almost put us back in front – not once but twice. First his snap shot was brilliantly saved by Aaron Maguire, then Mcguire somehow got a hand to Marcus’ goalbound looping header.

But it wasn’t much longer before we restored our lead. Youngs was fouled on the edge of the box and when his freekick was pushed away, Cunnington supplied the finish (pictured).

It was a far cry from last season’s 4-0 defeat in the corresponding fixture. Although Spurs understandably had plenty of the ball, they didn’t manage to hurt us too often and on the hour we extended our lead.

Wyllie was alleged to have been barged over by Kallum Cesay inside the box and Youngs sent the keeper the wrong way with the penalty.

As we tired, it was inevitable that our fully professional under-21 opponents, a couple of whom had represented the senior Tottenham side, would finish the stronger.

After a number of the more experienced members of Wayne Burnett’s squad came off the bench, a 20-yard  thunderbolt from Nile John reduced the arrears and set up a close finale.

But we did superbly to hold out and next up Maidstone on Saturday followed by St Albans City at home on Tuesday.

Town starting line-up: Connolly, Muleba, Bray, Trialist, Marko, Dayton, Shulton, Youngs (c), Kirwan, Cunnington, Wyllie.

We’re very pleased to announce two retained players and a new (if somewhat familiar) addition to the squad for the 2022-23 campaign.

Goalie Nathan McDonald (pictured) and full-back Ryan Kirwan – two key members of last season’s playoff side – have committed to the club for next season. Welcome back, lads!

We’re also delighted to welcome back midfielder Scott Shulton, who rejoins Enfield Town having most recently been with Hayes & Yeading United.

Scott chipped in with 34 appearances and six goals during our playoff run in 2016-17, and brings with him a wealth of experience having represented St Albans City, Braintree, Wingate & Finchley, and Hemel Hempstead Town among others. He was part of the squad for yesterday’s  pre-season win over Cockfosters and came on in the 2^nd half.

Cockfosters 0 Enfield Town 1

Lyle Della-Verde’s sweet first-half strike (pictured) earned us a 1-0 win over neighbours Cockfosters on Saturday in the first of our pre-season fixtures, writes Andrew Warshaw.

On a glorious afternoon, we fielded a mixture of familiar names, new signings and young triallists as the squad begins to take shape ahead of the new season.

We have only had a couple of training sessions and a number of players were unavailable through either work or social commitments – not unusual at this time of the summer.

But it was a highly useful workout just the same and there were several eye-catching performances, not least from our new rightback Juevan Spencer  who, like many of those selected, played one half as manager Andy Leese rung the changes at halftime to have a look at as many players as he could.

It may have been a narrow victory against our Step 5 opponents on a tricky, sun-scorched pitch but it was more comfortable than the scoreline suggests with plenty of positives to take away ahead of Tuesday’s high-profile home game against a Tottenham Hotspur development squad which is likely to represent a far tougher but eagerly anticipated challenge.

We are extremely pleased to welcome Juevan Spencer to Enfield Town FC.

Right-back Juevan joins Town having spent time last season with fellow Isthmian Premier sides Kingstonian and – most recently – Lewes. He started his footballing career in the ranks at AFC Wimbledon; going on to represent Salisbury City, Whyteleafe, Corinthian-Casuals – where he notched up almost 300 appearances – and Chipstead.

Town boss Andy Leese said: “We are pleased to get Juevan on board. He’s a player who has always done well against us, especially last season. He’s another winner who will strengthen us defensively and he also brings an attacking threat, which we will need if we are to be stronger and have more options this year. Welcome Juevan.”

As the squad for 22-23 begins to take shape, we are happy to report that three more players have signed on the dotted line for the season ahead: Nathan Smith, Jon Muleba, and Lewis Taaffe have all agreed terms to stay at Donkey Lane for another season. Welcome back, lads!

We’re pleased to confirm two more additions to our pre-season calendar for the 2022-23 season.

• We’ll visit old friends Maidstone United at the Gallagher Stadium on Saturday 16th July [k.o 15:00]
• We’ll welcome Berkhamsted FC to the QEII Stadium on Saturday 6th August [k.o 15:00]

We are pleased to announce that two more of last season’s squad, skipper Scott Thomas and defender Rian Bray, have been retained.

As the squad continues to take shape, Scott (pictured) and Rian have both committed themselves to the club for the forthcoming campaign.

COYT!

 When James Dayton, our newly-signed winger, was offered the chance to come and play for Enfield Town, he didn’t think twice, writes Andrew Warshaw.

Born in the borough, James lived much of his early life in Ladysmith Road not far from the QEII and, as a four-year-old, would go and watch the old Enfield.

Not just watch. He also played for them even though he hadn’t reached the requisite age of five.

“My step grandad took me over to the club and told them they had to take me even though I was still only four,” James explained. “I ended up playing a year above my age, if you like.”

The rest, as they say, is history. James joined Crystal Palace as a 10-year-old and, when the time arrived, went on to enjoy a long professional career that embraced clubs in both England and Scotland.

Now 33, after a season at national league south Dulwich Hamlet, he is coming back to his roots even though he had several other offers.

“I’m getting on a bit now and whilst it might sound cliched, the chance to come back and go full circle, if you like,  is a wonderful feeling,” said James. “The gaffer didn’t really need to sell me the club. I knew last year they just fell short so I’m here to try and help them go one better.”

“The first two training sessions have been great. The lads have really welcomed me. I could tell straight away why they’ve been up there for the last couple of campaigns. I can already see the togetherness in the group. That counts for a lot when you want to push for promotion.”

James is too modest to say what qualities he will bring to the club but 17 years of experience is certainly one of them.

“I may have lost a little bit of pace but I want to help in any way I can. I’ve won two promotions and what I will say is that I will give 100 percent in every game.”

We are very pleased to confirm that Sam Youngs and Adam Cunnington have agreed terms to stay with Enfield Town for another season.

Midfielder Sam (pictured) has clocked up 194 competitive appearances for the Town, and won last year’s Goal of the Season, Players’ Player & Members’ Player of the Year awards while forward Adam assisted 11 goals and scored seven times last term, including crucial goals against Hornchurch and Bognor Regis.

We are delighted to announce the signings of experienced winger James Dayton and exciting young striker Marcus Wyllie.

Enfield-born James, who began his career at Crystal Palace, most recently turned out for Dulwich Hamlet – and also counts Leyton Orient, Oldham and Kilmarnock among his former sides.

Manager Andy Leese (pictured with James) commented: “We are very pleased to get James to the club. He’s a very experienced player who will bring some real quality to the group.”

“As an ex-professional with plenty of promotions under his belt, he brings a winning mentality into the squad. He’s a great lad who really wanted to be here. He’s an Enfield lad who  and returns to where his football journey began as a young boy.”

Also joining us this season is exciting young striker Marcus Wyllie. Marcus signs from Risborough Rangers, who described him as having “the ability to score goals at will” – he chalked up an impressive 36 of them last term.

“Marcus has come to us highly recommended by no less than one of ETFC’s former favourites!” said the manager. “He has developed in the last two seasons, and is hungry to take his chance at this level. We look forward to working with Marcus in pre-season and hopefully he will pick up where he left off last season scoring goals.”

After 94 appearances, seven goals and a stint as captain across a couple of spells with us, midfielder Percy Kiangebeni has departed the club. We thank Percy for his service and wish him all the best. We hope to bring you more news of how the squad is taking shape over the coming days.