Special and stressful. That’s Gavin Macpherson’s take in the build-up to Town’s biggest FA Cup fixture for two years when we visit Slough in the fourth qualifying round on Saturday.

Already without the suspended Mickey Parcell, Gavin is sweating on “at least three more” as we attempt to reach the Holy Grail of the first round proper for the first time in our history.

Fresh from our sobering defeat at Chesham, when whatever could go wrong did go wrong, Gavin is fully aware of what’s at stake and the need to bounce back.

“It’s been pretty stressful to be honest in terms of personnel but I also realise how special the game is. We are hanging in the balance with a few but I know full well about the narrative of the game.”

“The people at this club deserve to be in the first round in terms of exposure and its unique status. We are in a position to affect that on the field.”

Gavin achieved the same goal twice when he was manager at Met Police. “I remember the huge flurry of activity in the week leading up to it, national press as well as local. You can’t buy that publicity. Financially too it can be a game changer.”

If there is a replay it will be on Tuesday but the focus is getting the job done first time round. “We know from when we played Slough in the league how difficult it is there, coupled with our own problems within the camp over the last couple of weeks.

“I know how much this means to the people at the this club, especially after what happened two years ago at Cray and the huge disappointment at the same stage. Obviously a replay is better than going out but ideally we’d like to get it done.”

AW

(for those unable to attend, there will be commentary on the game via a link on this website as per).

Chesham United 4 Enfield Town 1

All teams are entitled to the odd bad day at the office, and Enfield Town certainly had one at The Meadow, home of Chesham United. True, there were a number of mitigating factors; the absence of two key players, the injured Adam Thompson and Lamar Reynolds and the forced retirement from the game of Billy Leonard in the first half, but the Town’s performance, particularly in the second half, fell way short of expectations.

With Town having the advantage of the high wind blowing almost end-to-end, they got off to a flying start; Reynolds’ replacement Tommy Wood, got on the end of Leonard’s low cross in the 12^th minute. After that excellent start, the game degenerated into an untidy mishmash of overhit passes Town) and inaccurate crosses (Chesham). Decent shots on goal were at a premium, and the half-time whistle arrived with the nagging feeling that Town had not taken sufficient advantage of the wind.

They hadn’t. Within two minutes of the restart Chesham were level, Alfie Williams drew the home side level when his cross from the right was deflected past Rhys Forster by an unlucky Wood. It soon became clear that the home side were taking much better advantage of the wind, with every cross and every long throw by winger Josh Addae causing chaos in the Town goalmouth. Although Wood and Nino Adom-Malaki both had chances for Town, the majority of action was taking place at the other end.

The game tipped irrevocably in the home side’s favour after 62 minutes. Town’s attempts to clear a corner resulted in a high tackle by Mickey Parcell, a bout of handbags on the edge of the box, and a red card for Town’s skipper. The double whammy was delivered moments later when Alex Babos’ free kick found its way past Forster aided by a deflection off the end of the wall. Further home goals were added by Matt McClure (72) and Nathan Minhas (81) and the game concluded with the travelling support relieved to hear the final whistle.

Of course, one bad day does not define a season, but Town now have to pick themselves up for next week’s FA Cup tie at Slough. And hope that all the injuries clear up in time.

Team: Forster, Benjamin, Hawkins, Donaldson, Leonard, Parcell, Gallimore, Bullas, Adom-Malaki, Youngs, Wood

Subs: Jones (for Leonard 42), Brown (for Wood 64), Knight (for Bullas 75), Bates (for Youngs 75), Lodovica (for Donaldson 75). Not used: Lambert, Connolly

With only one point separating us from Chesham United, the importance of our visit to The Meadow on Saturday cannot be over-estimated.

Like us, the Generals have two league wins to their name this season and were knocked out of the FA Cup last Saturday by King’s Lynn.

Our own progression to the fourth qualifying round has certainly boosted morale, coupled with our home league win over Chippenham.

Like last Saturday when most of them luckily managed to make themselves available on the day without being fully fit, a number of players have persistent knocks and again it looks touch and go for one or two.

Chesham have traditionally been one of our bogey teams but we broke that jinx with a 3-1 away win last February, including a couple of goals from Sam Youngs, and a similar result would do very nicely.

“Every single point counts and Chesham are going to be a very well-organised side,” said Gavin Macpherson. “They have very good players working to a system. If you can start accumulating points early on, it’s far easier on the heart and mind than have to claw back in March and April.”

The improving fitness of the returning of Jack Bates, who came on as a sub against Quorn, is a major plus. “It gives us a different option in the middle of the park,” said Gavin. “Technically he’s excellent and gives me another tool in the box. Jack has been training with us for several weeks following a couple of injuries and it was a case of getting him into the squad at the right time. He’s not quite up to full match fitness but not far off.”

AW

We have been drawn away to Slough Town in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup on Oct 11  — minutes after being awarded our 5-1 victory over Quorn on Saturday.

During a frantic morning of nail-biting anticipation, Quorn conceded the tie, abandoned eight minutes from time following a serious injury to their goalkeeper Tom Allsopp who we all wish well and thankfully has no lasting damage

As a result of Saturday’s result standing, we were quickly moved by the FA to the southern section of the draw having initially being placed in the northern section which might have necessitated  a marathon round trip in arguably the toughest of the two regions.

In the third qualifying round on Saturday, Slough won 2-1 away at Bedfont Sports and whilst we could on paper have got a far easier tie against one of the remaining Step 3 teams or even lower, we could also have ended up facing National League opposition since Step 1 sides now enter the competition.

Earlier this season, we conceded a 97^th minute equaliser at Slough to draw 1-1 in the league and both clubs will fancy their chances of progression to the Holy Grail of the first round proper – something we have never achieved.

“In FA Cup terms, it’s been a rollercoaster since Saturday’s game and Step 2 opposition is tough at this stage,” said Gavin Macpherson.

“As we found out recently, it’s very tough to go to Slough and pick up a result. It’s obviously a team we know fairly well and I’ve got the greatest admiration for Scott and his management team. We must prepare properly but it’s a game that I think we have a fighting chance in. We’ll do everything in our power to be in the first round.”

AW

Enfield Town 5 Quorn 1 (abandoned after 82 minutes)

Report by Andrew Warshaw

Enfield Town’s progress in the FA Cup depends on a ruling by the Football Association after our third qualifying round fixture was called off with eight minutes left following a serious injury to Quorn goalkeeper Tom Allsop.

Town had just scored their fifth goal with a place in the next round all but assured when Allsop collided with one of his own players as he came to meet a Jack Bates centre and collapsed unconscious.

Concerned players on both sides urgently signalled for immediate medical attention with Allsop later carried off a stretcher before being further treated by ambulance paramedics and taken to hospital.

After a confusion-packed 30-minute delay while the officials contacted the FA for advice, the match was  abandoned and it now up to the authorities to decide the outcome which will probably not be known before Monday’s fourth qualifying round draw – the joint furthest we have reached in the competition. Either the 5-1 result stands or a replay will be ordered appear to be the two main options with significant prize money at stake.

It is with huge relief that Allsopp has since tweeted he is doing okay following various scans. He also made a point of thanking Town’s medical staff for their swift action.

Before the game there was a minute’s silence to pay tribute to former Chichester striker Billy Vigar who tragically sustained a fatal brain injury at Wingate and Finchley last Saturday.

When the action got under way, only Adam Thompson was missing from Town’s regular line-up despite all manner of injuries and illness in the build-up.

To suggest we started sluggishly is an understatement as Step 3 Quorn, who looked quicker, sharper and more penetrative, put us under the cosh. They had clearly done their homework and could have been three goals up but for Rhys Forster who had dragged himself out of bed to make his 99^th appearance in goal for Town.

We were treading water with winger Simeon Coburne a particular thorn in our side. But just as it seemed we might be victims of a potential giantkilling we shook off our lethargy to open the score with a majestic Lamar Reynolds volley.

On the stroke of halftime, our lead was doubled after Tosh Gallimore dribbled his way into the box before beating the outstretched arm of Allsop though his shot (pictured) appeared to take a deflection.

H-T 2-0

Now the belief and fight went out of Quorn and we took total control as Mickey Parcell entered the fray, the first of a number of subs who also included the returning Bates for a second Town spell.

Sam Youngs, who had passed a pre-match fitness test and played with his head bandaged up as a result of last Saturday’s collision, seemed to put the result beyond doubt with a glorious strike.

 Lamar then notched his second with the most sublime of lobs when the flag stayed down and Tommy Wood’s tap-in made it five but was overshadowed by Allsopp’s worrying condition.

“The player’s welfare is above anything else,” said Gavin Macpherson. “Obviously we wish the lad the very best and we need to thank Laura and George for their contribution in dealing with it.”

“The referee made a call to the FA whose decision apparently was to play out the remaining time. I understand Quorn didn’t want to come back out. The referee’s report will now go in and we wait and see what happens.”

“As for the game, I think that’s the poorest we’ve started this season. I have to credit Quorn for playing in a way we didn’t expect but once we settled down we could have run away with it handsomely. We had a really rough week and didn’t really know who could play until just before.  It could have gone the other way in terms of a makeshift side but luckily we ended up being in reasonable shape and were clinical. I’m not sure of the protocols but let’s hope common sense now prevails.”

Town:

Forster; Benjamin (Jones 65), Hawkins, Donaldson; Adom-Malaki, Bullas (Bates 77), Brown, Gallimore, Leonard; Youngs (Wood 65), Reynolds (Lodovica, 77)

Enfield Town go into arguably our most eagerly anticipated game of the season battling against injury and illness as we bid to reach the final qualifying round of the FA Cup.

Without any names being identified here so as not to give our opponents Quorn an unnecessary heads-up for Saturday’s  3^rd qualifying round fixture, the last few days have not be kind to us in terms of untimely health issues.

The management team will hope that as many potentially key absentees as possible will shrug off various knocks in time for the visit of our Step 3 adversaries in order to get as close to a strong starting eleven as possible.

Players always want to play and have a habit of going the extra mile to try and recover from physical setbacks but no unnecessary risks will be taken. That’s why, after all, we have a squad and in all likelihood there will be an opportunity for some players to step up to the plate if required.

Gavin has had Quorn, who won 2-1 in midweek in the league and are fifth in Southern League Premier Central, watched twice and believe they are as good a Step 3 side as there is – having scored 10 goals in their two FA Cup ties to date. If Saturday’s fixture is drawn, there will be a replay on Tuesday.

Having got knocked out at the first hurdle last season, everyone is relishing the chance to go as far as possible this time round and your support could be crucial.

“I always look forward to the FA Cup but it will be a very tough test,” said Gavin. “My message to the players as they walk out will be to be in the hat on Monday, preferably as winners and not looking at a replay. We’ve done our homework on this team who are very, very capable. We’re not taking them lightly in any shape or form. I’ve said before, I would love a cup run for this club.”

AW

Enfield Town 0 Cockfosters 2

Report by Andrew Warshaw

It was very much a case of déjà vu on Tuesday as for the second year running we bowed out of the London Senior Cup at the first hurdle to Step 5 opposition.

Whilst there were mitigating circumstances in terms of blooding several academy players, we should on paper have been able to overcome near-neighbours Cockfosters especially with six first-teamers in the starting line-up.

But just like Newham Athletic last year, a patched-up side lacked ideas, fluency and imagination and were second best for large periods of the game against a team who appeared to have more desire.

The Cockfosters side included three ex-Towners including George Beattie and Junior Mubiayi but it was their leftback  Junior Moses – who apparently once had a trial with AC Milan (!) – who caught the eye.

A largely forgettable first half saw Cockfosters edge proceedings with their direct approach. Indeed, we had to wait until the 38^th minute for Town’s only moment of quality, Eli Ackason flicking the ball over the bar from Ollie Knight’s first-time centre after excellent work from Alex Osei.

H-T 0-0

It was no surprise when our visitors broke the deadlock on 56 minutes through Luca Gordon’s side-foot finish and soon it was 2-0 as Moses teased Avan Jones before skimming past him and firing low across the box for Lanre Balogun to tap in.

Town almost pulled a goal back, only for two goalbound shots in quick succession to be blocked on the line but the Fosters ran out worthy winners on the night.

Town of course have bigger fish on Saturday in the FA Cup against Quorn who incidentally won again last night and Gavin Macpherson was reasonably sanguine despite the disappointment of exiting the lesser of the cup competitions at the first hurdle in front of 232 hardy fans.

“These games are extremely valuable and for me it’s all about the bigger picture,” said Gav. “Some people may agree, some may disagree. The main thing for me was to see where our academy players are and whether there are any individuals that are close to the first team.”

“It’s the only chance really that I get to look at them against stronger opposition than they normally play against. We got out of it what we wanted – bar the result.”

On the positive front, Ethan Cann and – not for the first time – Jay Lambert showed they could be useful first-team defensive reinforcements if ever needed but knocks to Ruaridh Donaldson and Tommy Wood do not augur well for Saturday. Fingers crossed…

Town

Connolly; Cann (Douglas, 80), Donaldson, Lambert; Jones, Parcell (Furrera 78), Brown (Opoku, 46), Knight, Osei; Ackason, Wood (Bolibehga, 67)

Enfield Town 1 Chippenham Town 0

Report By Andrew warshaw

The hosts hadn’t won at home, the visitors hadn’t triumphed on the road.

Something therefore had to give in this basement battle and it was Enfield Town who deservedly came out on top.

Once again, Town’s defence – one of the meanest in the division – was a hard nut to crack. If only we could convert a better ratio of chances at the other end.

That’s not for want of trying. Just like two weeks ago against high-flying Weston-Super-Mare, we had by far the better openings in a highly physical game but at least we took one, Henry Hawkins getting the last touch to an 18^th minute corner.

And this time, after gaining a foothold and only occasionally relinquishing control, we managed to bag  all three points though in truth anything other than a home win would have been a travesty.

Town were at full strength with the returning Hawkins and Bailey Brown and when Hayden Bullas was felled just outside the area early doors, Nino Adom-Malaki drilled the resultant freekick narrowly wide.

Town had started like a train and it was no surprise when Hawkins rose highest from an inswinging corner to power home a header (pictured).

For 20 minutes the Bluebirds couldn’t lay a glove on us but Henry Sady supplied a warning against complacency by rattling the bar after finding  himself free of an otherwise assured defence.

But Town were very much the dominance force . Lamar Reynolds, whose skill and technique was a delight to watch, was just about to pull the trigger when the ball was smuggled away from under his feet.

H-T 1-0

A surprise halftime change saw Tommy Wood replace Sam Youngs who was suffering from dizziness but Town maintained the pressure, a gorgeous turn and shot from Lamar so nearly doubling the lead, only to be saved by the legs of Will Henry.

How we weren’t awarded a penalty for a blatant handball is anyone’s guess but as we built up another head of steam Hayden Bullas fairly tackled a hesitant keeper but his pull-back fell to a visiting defender instead of to Lamar who would have had a simple tap-in. A few minutes later, Lamar left three players for dead, only to see his shot cleared for a throw-in while Wood missed a golden chance from close range to get on the scoresheet, taking the wrong option.

Late in the game, an ugly flare-up involving Wood and Dan Ellison resulted in both being wrestled to the ground. The referee’s decision in a lengthy stoppage was to consult both linesmen, then to book neither of the culprits and instead issue yellow cards to the respective captains for failing to control their players. New rules apparently…

Given Town’s propensity to concede late goals after controlling proceedings, it was no surprise that nerves became frayed in the last 15 minutes, plus six added on, when the Bluebirds, second best for long periods half, had a go but couldn’t find a way through.

“It may sound like a broken record but we really should make life easier for ourselves,” said Gavin Macpherson after we moved up to 17^th with all the teams below us having lost or drawn.

 “But the boys were magnificent today, running hard and creating chances. The only thing is, you always run the risk of what has been happening before.  It’s quite obvious where we have to do better at this level because you can’t expect to keep clean sheets every week.”

Town

Forster; Benjamin, Thompson, Hawkins; Leonard,  Bullas, Gallimore, Brown (Parcell 64), Adom-Malaki; Youngs (Wood, 46), Reynolds (Lodovica 83)

It’s ridiculously early to talk about a six-pointer but Enfield Town go into Saturday’s clash with Chippenham knowing that a first home win of the season would open up a four-point gap above their opponents.

With Town not having won at home and the Bluebirds – one point behind us — yet to be victorious on the road, something has to give in what is the first of three games in a week for us in all competitions.

Last Saturday’s progress in the FA Cup gave everyone a boost but we need to start scoring goals in league games to put more points on the board.

“I realise why some people look at the league table and think this might be one of our easier games but this is National League South,” said Gavin Macpherson. “I would never ever look at a team anywhere in our division and make any kind of judgement. Last season at this early stage there were teams near the top who finished way down. I’m looking at Chippenham in isolation and recognise  what they do really well. They switch their play well so we’ll have to be cute about what we do.”

“Last Saturday in the cup will have done us the power of good but we still need to take more of our ratio of chances. I’ve said many times that we’ve not got as many points as we should have.”

In terms of personnel, Mickey Parcell has just become a proud father and missed training on Thursday, Henry Hawkins and Bailey Brown are both vying to be in contention as they continue trying to shake off injury while Ollie Knight is unavailable. But the rest of the squad seem fit and ready to go. There will be the usual excellent commentary available via the website for those unable to attend.

Next Saturday of course is the small matter of a mouth-watering FA Cup 3^rd qualifying round match against high-flying Step 3  Quorn AFC but before that, on Tuesday, we entertain Cockfosters in the London Senior Cup when it is anticipated that a number of fringe players and academy boys will be bloodied.

“I don’t want to make light of any competition and naturally the supporters want to win every game,” said Gavin. “But truthfully you do have a bit of an ulterior motive in respect of bringing in some really talented academy players for match-day experience.”

“It’s really important because you get to see how they function in a very different environment. Plus how they fare against adult opposition. Cockfosters will be no push-overs and it’s important to see where some of our younger lads are.  But of course we won’t just throw the academy out there. It will include a few of the first-team squad to try to glue it together.”

Could Jack Bates have rejoined the club by then? “It’s no secret Batesy has been training with us but he’s coming back from a couple of injuries,” explained Gav. “He obviously knows most of the lads but he hasn’t had any football whatsoever so we’re treating it one day at a time.”

AW

Wednesday 17th September 

Enfield Town U18s

                 v 

Chelmsford City U18s

Our Youth team take centre stage on Wednesday night when we welcome Chelmsford City’s talented youngsters to Donkey Lane.

Adults £3

Concession and U16s £1

Up The Towners