Interview by Andrew Warshaw

You might assume that Jake would have had a special incentive to do well against his old club on Saturday.

Yet, despite the unfortunate way in which he left Stortford to join the Town just under a year ago, Jake was insistent that his penultimate home game before he takes a short break was like any other fixture. “It’s true I left under deeply controversial circumstances but it is what it is,” said Enfield’s number nine with commendable frankness. “I have not lost any sleep over them and probably vice-versa.”

“Things sometimes don’t work out in football. The only incentive I have to do well against them is the fact that they are in the playoff positions with us.”

In mid-December, straight after the Hornchurch game, Jake is due to fly off for a long-planned vacation, missing several vital fixtures, though Town’s fortunes during his time away will not be far from his mind. “It’s been a very tough year for me personally for all kinds of reasons,” Jake revealed. “When we lost the playoff semi-final, I was heartbroken.”

“I knew I’d miss the whole of pre-season because I have to travel a lot due to work, and then four weeks at Christmas. I told the gaffer that if my level of commitment was not acceptable, I’d completely understand.”

“We’re a big club with a good level of football and the last thing I wanted to do, which is still very much the case, is take liberties. I was very transparent with my circumstances.”

It’s precisely because of his love for Town that Jake expressed that kind of honesty. It’s all about the team. “I know the situation is not ideal. The manager has to do what he has do. If I can’t get back in the team and have to sit on the bench, I just have to accept it. I’m either going to play for Enfield or no-one.”

That’s some statement but Jake talks like he means it. “When I come back in January, I think I’ll be in great shape. I’m only 29 and feel I’ve still got a lot to give.”

“I love everything about Enfield Town. I’ve played non-league football for over a decade and this is by far one of my favourite dressing rooms and by far and away the best fans. There is no other walk of life where you can replicate that level of appreciation.”

It’s important to note that Jake has also become a member of the club as well as one of its key performers. “I just love the community concept of the club, the unique aspect in terms of no barrier between players and fans. Whether or not I’d been selected regularly this season I still would have become a member. It’s certainly 20 quid well spent.”

“Great club, great cause, great people and long may it last. I’m just pleased to do my bit.”

And looking ahead? “With the players we’ve brought in, I genuinely believe we’re in a better place than we were last season. The spine of the team is strong, so onwards and upwards.”

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This piece originally appeared in the Enfield Town FC Matchday Programme. Pick up your copy on home matchdays, or subscribe to GoToTown to receive each edition as a digital or hard copy.

Enfield Town 0-1 Bishop’s Stortford

Report by Ken Brazier

Bishop’s Stortford earned a fourth consecutive win against play-off rivals Enfield Town, a run stretching back to March 2020, and leapfrogged them into third place in the table whilst Town dropped to sixth.

The opening period was a somewhat subdued affair, with the visitors having spells of possession and, not for the first time this season, Enfield found it difficult to get a foothold in the game in the opening 45 minutes.

David Olufemi had a shot blocked, and Nathan McDonald was becoming increasingly busy, firstly cutting out a dangerous low cross from Donell Thomas and then dealing with a free kick from the eye-catching Darren Foxley. Soon afterwards Frankie Merrifield fired just wide from Foxley’s square pass while, at the other end, Jake Cass was way off target with his left foot.

After Foxley had forced McDonald into another save, Cass went on a great run down the left, but his low ball across the edge of the six-yard box just eluded Adam Cunnington.  Then on 37 minutes, the lively Donell Thomas found space on the edge of the home box and fired low past McDonald’s outstretched right hand for what turned out to be the winning goal.

Half-time: 0-1

A couple of minutes into the second half, Cass was played through but, as he elected to flick the ball past the onrushing keeper Jack Giddens rather than take an early shot, the ball was cleared by a covering defender from near the goal line and the chance was gone. Then around the hour mark, a slow-burning touch paper was ignited by a major skirmish in the centre circle.  Once the dust had settled, the officials opted to red card Lewis Knight and James Richmond for the hosts and Harry Beadle for the visitors, despite there being a number of other players heavily involved in the melee.

Another Foxley free kick was saved by McDonald, but Town showed great spirit for the remainder of the half despite their numerical disadvantage.  In the 71st minute, Cass tested Giddens with a crisp volley which was tipped over. From the ensuing corner Giddens then made an even better stop from the same player’s bullet-header from close range. Many Town fans felt aggrieved a few minutes later when a well-flighted Scott Thomas free kick from the left drifted over Giddens’ head and nestled in the back of the net, but an infringement had been spotted by referee Benjamin Bowles.

Stortford saw out the rest of the game with few alarms, although as McDonald came up for a late corner and a cluster of Town heads connected with the ball, it dropped agonisingly wide of the post from a Town perspective just as the referee blew for full time to end a game which the Blues had managed well on the day.  Town’s misery was compounded when, in addition to manager Andy Leese during the second half, referee Bowles also red-carded Anthony Wordsworth in the tunnel after the match had ended.  

“On the balance of the first half, it wasn’t good enough. The second half probably, unfortunately, has to be consigned to the bin”, said Andy Leese. “The consequences of today are pretty dramatic for us. We’ve huffed and puffed and created two or three chances when we’ve gone down to nine men; at that point you have to salvage whatever you can from the wreckage … but not a good day all round.”

Town: McDonald; Spencer, Knight, Richmond, Payne; Della-Verde (Youngs 66), Thomas, Wordsworth, Taaffe (Wilson-Braithwaite 63); Cass, Cunnington (Hercules 74).

Blues: Giddens; Olufemi, Henshaw, Beadle, Porter; Foxley, Johnson, Church (Jack Thomas 76), Charles (Giles 86); Donell Thomas (Peters 81), Merrifield.

Attendance: 530.

We are pleased to confirm that central defender Lewis Knight will be staying at Enfield Town for a further three months, following an extension of his loan agreement with Margate.

Lewis, who has won all four league games he has featured in so far, has been a key component of the squad over the last month; also chipping in at the other end of the pitch with five goals in his last seven games in all competitions.

“We are extending Lewis knight’s loan today for 3 months. We’re pleased we could get it done as Lewis has been great since he came in”, said Town boss Andy Leese. “He wants to be here which is important as well. Thanks to Margate for their cooperation and to the Board for backing the move at a key time in the season.”

Andrew Warshaw talks to new Town signing and media wannabee Anthony Wordsworth

In recent years more and more professional footballers have made the switch to television and radio on their retirement from the game.

Now Enfield Town has its own would-be Gary Lineker in the form of new signing Anthony Wordsworth (pictured left).

Late last month Anthony graduated with a first in sports journalism from Staffordshire University after a three-year course, mainly on-line, which he combined with playing in the lower leagues of the professional game.

Anthony started out at Colchester United, before embarking on a career which has taken him to the likes of Ipswich Town, Southend United, and AFC Wimbledon.

He has also represented Barnet, League of Ireland side Waterford and, briefly, Cheshunt, and brings a wealth of experience to Enfield as the club embarks on a busy December schedule ahead of the second half of season.

Anthony was able to complete his degree thanks to financial assistance from the Professional Footballers Association which funded a large chunk of the course.

“I’ve always been interested in journalism,” Anthony explained. “It’s something I’d really like to do after football.”

“When I was at Wimbledon, I became really friendly with the media team there. I probably spent more time in their office than I did hanging around with the lads. I used to come up with ideas and they encouraged me to get into it when I stopped playing. I’d ultimately like to be a presenter.”

To keep his hand in, Anthony co-commentates for Wimbledon whenever he can, provided it doesn’t clash with his commitments for Enfield.

Despite having represented a plethora of league teams, Anthony – who counts England and Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale as among his best friends — was pleasantly surprised at what he found when he arrived at Enfield, on and off the pitch.

“I’m not just saying this but I can tell you that Enfield Town is a very well run football club,” he says. “I noticed that from the first second I walked into the club. Things like having their own kit man and a physio. Everything is done properly, it’s run like a professional club.”

It helps, of course, that Anthony was already friends with the likes of fellow Town midfielder Sam Youngs and former club favourite Lee Chappell. He also knew current first-team coach Ian Hart from when both were at Southend though he had no intention of joining Enfield until he actually saw the set-up.

“Basically, I just wanted to get fit and asked if I could come in and train. Initially I had no interest in signing but I was so impressed with how things were done that when it was mentioned, I said yes straight away.”

At 33, Anthony, a father-of-four who can play both as an attacking and defensive midfielder, brings invaluable know-how to the club having worked with a string of established coaches such as Mick McCarthy, Paul Lambert and Aidy Boothroyd.

“We’ve got such a good squad at Enfield. The boys are such a good bunch and the coaching staff are superb. To be honest, I don’t see that much difference with the professional game in terms of the level of detail. At this level, I don’t think you can get a better coaching set-up.”

And his hopes for the season?

“That I can bring the experience I had at a higher level. But I also want to win the league. I’m not here for a jolly-up.”

Wingate and Finchley 0 Enfield Town 2

Report by Andrew Warshaw

A solid workmanlike performance earned three well-earned points at our lowly neighbours on Saturday to set us up for a mouth-watering December against all the other leading sides in and around us.

Lewis Knight (yes, him again!) struck with our first attack of the game and it was a lead we never relinquished, doubling it halfway through the second half to send us up to fourth – leapfrogging Bishop’s Stortford, our next opponents.

With James Richmond having to cry off ill and Sam Youngs only starting training again this coming week, Dequane Wilson-Braithwaite seamlessly slotted into the back four against opponents who were neat and tidy but lacked authority in the final third.

With a minute gone on the clock, a Town corner was half-cleared and Marcus Wyllie’s deflected cross looped up in the air for Knight to head home.

Wingate replied with Daniel Emovon’s snapshot that flew over the bar and rest of the half was fairly even, Wingate carving out a succession of corners but Town going closest – first through a spectacular Jake Cass volley, then when Wyllie dragged a low angled shot just wide.

H-T 1-0

Wingate almost drew level when former Towner Dernell Wynter lashed a shot over the bar and there was cause for concern when man of the match Juevan Spencer needed lengthy treatment following a late challenge by Emmanuel Yeboah who, bizarrely, escaped a booking.

Shortly afterwards a melee ensued halfway inside the Wingate half following a clash between Adam Cunnington and Emovon.

The result was a 65^th minute freekick to Town, curled in by Lyle Della-Verde for Cass — who started his career at W and F as a youth player – to rise above the home defence and bury a powerful header (pictured).

Thomas Stagg had a sniff of chance to draw Wingate level but was offside anyway and the hosts lost heart as we played out the final quarter with relative ease.

Town

McDonald; Spencer; Wilson-Braithwaite, Knight, Payne; Thomas, Taaffe, Wordsworth; Della-Verde (Dayton 69), Wyllie (Cunnington, 59); Cass (Hercules, 86)

All the best to defenders Ryan Kirwan and Nathan Smith, who are no longer registered to the club.

Nathan made 43 appearances in a Town shirt, scoring five times; while Ryan featured 45 times, chipping in with six assists. Ryan leaves to join Isthmian Premier side Brightlingsea Regent.

Both were central figures in last season’s squad which reached the playoffs – we would like to thank them for their efforts and wish them well for the future.

“Nathan hasn’t featured since last season having picked up injuries. He’s been back in with us recently but with the squad settled now, we agreed there won’t be too many opportunities for him to play”, said manager Andy Leese. “My thanks go to Nathan for his time here. He’s a consummate professional who set standards when he was here. He wants to carry on playing and we have amicably agreed that will be elsewhere. Best wishes Smudger.”

“I have discussed with Ryan that he needs to be playing having come back from playing at Walthamstow. We have agreed he can get games with Brightlingsea to keep him match fit. We will monitor the situation, but hopefully Ryan does well for them.”

Haringey Borough 2 Enfield Town 2 (Haringey win 4-3 on penalties)

Report by Andrew Warshaw

Enfield Town exited yet another cup competition on Tuesday night, this time via the curse of penalties in the Velocity Trophy 4th round, leaving us to concentrate on the league for the rest of the season.

But the players can feel a touch unlucky after dominating our nearby opponents for large spells of the game, not helped by some questionable officiating.

In the end it came down to profligacy in front of goal and two of our spotkick takers missing the target, reminiscent of several past shootout disappointments.

Except for the absence of Sam Youngs, still recovering from the knock he took at Carshalton, we fielded virtually a full side against opponents missing three regular defenders.

And apart from a dangerous spell just after they equalised for 1-1, it was Town who imposed their game on the opposition in a tournament we had genuine hope of winning.

On another day Jake Cass may have had a hattrick but left his scoring boots at home but he wasn’t the only one guilty of a string of near-misses.

It all started so well with a composed finish after 13 minutes by Marcus Wyllie (pictured) who is rapidly becoming a fans’ favourite.

It was almost two when the Haringey keeper flapped at a Joe Payne long throw but after struggling to keep the ball, the hosts hit us with a sucker punch seven minutes before the interval.

From an Enfield corner, they surged up the other end  in a three-man move that beat us for pace, Anthony Mendy providing the finish.

Suddenly we found ourselves on the back foot, Nathan McDonald somehow keeping out a close-range effort from Ou Durojaiye that slammed into his face.

H-T 1-1

It was Town who again began the second half in the ascendancy, creating chances as we pushed Haringey back, the best falling to Cass, whose header inexplicably missed the target.

Jake deserved a goal for all his usual tireless running off the ball but on 67 minutes we fell behind. Juevan Spencer’s driving run was halted in its tracks and as Haringey  burst into the space left vacant behind him, Kylan Hinds made us pay.

Luckily not for long. Five minutes later Lewis Knight, rapidly becoming our surprise go-to goalscorer, got his head to Lewis Taaffe’s freekick to restore parity.

For some reason, the officials didn’t spot a blatant off the ball challenge on Joe Payne that might well have resulted in a red card.

As the clock ticked towards penalties, Lyle Della-Verde hit the post, Cass couldn’t quite convert the rebound, and substitutes Wraynal Hercules and Andrew Coker, the latter with almost the last kick of the 90,  went agonisingly close.

And so to spotkicks with Haringey netting four of their five – including  one fortuitously retaken after originally being saved by Nathan who was bizarrely adjudged to have been off his line —  and both Della- Verde and Coker missing the target for Town.

It rounded off a what-might-have-been evening with only the Middlesex Senior Cup left in terms of cup competitions.

“A bitterly disappointing night,” said Andy Leese. “We had enough chances to win two games and it was frustrating to watch. The penalty shootout saw us continue to miss the target.

“We have to regroup now and move on to the important league games we have. We only have ourselves to blame for exiting the League Cup.”

Town

McDonald; Spencer, Knight, Richmond, Payne; Della- Verde, Thomas, Wordsworth, Taaffe (Coker 78), Wyllie (Hercules, 82); Cass

Our eagerly awaited home fixture with Hornchurch will now take place at 3PM on Saturday 17 December and not Monday 12 December as previously proposed.

This became possible because Folkestone, our scheduled opponents, are involved in the FA Trophy that day as are Bognor, who were due to play Hornchurch.

The Board felt a Saturday would be more appropriate for such an important fixture which could now attract our biggest crowd to date this season.

Massive credit to our match Secretary John Dolan for making the necessary arrangements.

Carshalton 1 Enfield Town 3

Report by Martin Bentley

A solid, professional performance, combined with some charitable donations from the home defence, saw Enfield Town bank a comfortable three points at in-form Carshalton and move up to fourth.

With Anthony Wordsworth making a first start in midfield, Town started brightly, and raced into a two- goal lead in the opening 22 minutes.

Town made good use of the low sun that rendered visibility difficult for the entire first half, and first benefited after six minutes.  Lyle Della Verde’s cross from the right disappeared into the sun, and then reappeared for Sam Youngs to jab the ball into the corner for his first league goal of the season (pictured).

Jake Cass nearly doubled the lead two minutes later with an audacious effort from the centre circle that passed a foot over a relieved Danny Bracken’s crossbar.

The second goal wasn’t long in arriving though. Cass set off optimistically after a long ball, arriving just in time to see home keeper Bracken and defender Ollie Cook make a complete mess of the clearance, leaving the Town striker, who loves chasing seemingly lost causes, a free run at an empty net.

The first half then played out amidst a flurry of yellow cards and few efforts on goal.

H-T 0-0

Not surprisingly Carshalton began the second half positively, and reduced the deficit 10 minutes in. Town uncharacteristically lost possession on their left, and the resultant low cross was turned in by home skipper Tom Beere.

At this point though, the home side’s propensity for unsolicited gifts kicked in once again. Under no apparent pressure, defender Bradley Williams nodded a long ball past Bracken, to the travelling fans’ disbelief – and delight.

Town saw out the remainder of the game without difficulty, although injuries to goalscorers Youngs and Cass are a concern; at least we have a ten-day cushion before our next fixture. Town now appear to be gathering momentum in time for a tricky set of fixtures in November and December.

Town: Mc Donald, Spencer, Payne, Thomas, Knight, Richmond, Taaffe (Coker 81), Youngs (Antonio 69), Cass (Wyllie 73), Wordsworth, Della Verde Unused: Braithwaite, Hercules

This Saturday we travel to in-form Carshalton Athletic for what looks likely to be a hard-fought encounter. Their address is: War Memorial Sports Ground, Colston Avenue, Carshalton SM5 2PW

The Robins are currently sixth in the table with 25 points from 14 games, one point behind Town with a game in hand.

Carshalton have won five and lost one of their last six fixtures in the league.

Save yourself £1 by getting your ticket here: https://www.carshaltonathletic.co.uk/tickets

How to get there: https://www.carshaltonathletic.co.uk/find-us

Trains from Victoria at 11 and 41 minutes past the hour will get you to Carshalton in 30 minutes from Central London.

Velocity Trophy

Meanwhile we have been drawn in the fourth round of the Velocity Trophy away at Haringey Borough whom we visit on Tuesday Nov 22 for a mouth-watering derby.