Enfield Town chairman Paul Reed has a special message for all those who followed us at Eastleigh on Saturday

Saturday was a tough day for us on the pitch against a really good Eastleigh side, we were understrength through Covid, illness and suspension but I was extremely proud of how the boys kept going to the end, didn’t allow their heads to drop and kept fighting for every ball.

To be competing at that stage of the competition against full-time teams shows how far we have come in our 20 years. I spent some time after the game talking to their directors and understanding the journey they have been on to get to that level and what has been involved financially and operationally to get them to and sustain themselves in the National League. It definitely gave me some real insight in to the finances and structure needed to compete at the higher echelons of non-league football and offered food for thought for us a board as we plan for the future.

For me, the outstanding memory of Saturday will be the incredible support that the team received, both in numbers and volume you delivered outstanding backing to the boys with constant singing and encouragement throughout the 90 minutes.

 The players and management have all told me how much it meant to them and you also received many compliments for the officials and supporters of Eastleigh that I spoke to.

For so many of you to make a 200-mile round trip on the Saturday before Christmas in these uncertain times is amazing and as a club we would like to offer a small token of our appreciation for you at the Potters Bar game on New Year’s Day.

Anyone presenting proof of purchase of a ticket for the Eastleigh game can claim a complimentary drink from the bar (up to a value of £4.50) and a limited edition ETFC chocolate bar as a thank you from the club. Please show your proof at the bar to claim your items.

I understand all ticket purchases for the game were “cashless” so hopefully you will easily be able to demonstrate your purchase, however if for any reason you cannot, please contact me at chairman@etfc.london and we can make alternative arrangements.

On behalf of the board, players and management, thank you again for your incredible support on Saturday and please do get behind the team for the rest of the season.

Up The Town

Paul Reed

Eastleigh 5 Enfield Town 0

Report by Andrew Warshaw

It’s hard enough being drawn away from home against a fully professional side two divisions higher. But when your squad is suddenly decimated, the task becomes virtually impossible.

So it was on Saturday when Town lost a swathe of  regular starters to Covid on the morning of the FA Trophy third round tie at Eastleigh.

Add to that the one-match suspension of Manny Maja and the fact that we had only two players on the bench eligible to play and you get some idea of the nightmare scenario the management team faced on the trip to Hampshire.

To their credit, despite one or two playing out of position, the team battled hard, kept their shape and were well in the game at 1-0 down. But once the second Eastleigh goal went in on the stroke on halftime, any chance of a recovery flew out the window.

Some of our defending could – perhaps should –  have been cleverer. For much of the game, Mo Faal was having to track back, nullifying his goal threat.

But in the end, we can have no complaints as our run in the competition came to an end against a quicker, stronger, physically superior team who didn’t really give us a sniff of a goal or any worthwhile possession and wore us down.

Former Southampton midfielder Jake Hesketh stole the show with a sublime hat-trick (and hit the woodwork twice) as the Spitfires took charge from the off, unlike the FA Cup meeting with Folkestone earlier in the season when our playoff rivals so nearly caused a huge upset .

Eastleigh were almost ahead within two minutes through Tyrone Barnett and further penalty area scrambles came and went in the opening period.

Just as we showed signs of settling into the game, we fell behind on 37 minutes as Hesketh fired home off the post with fantastic technique.

Being robbed of possession against full-time professionals is a dangerous game and it wasn’t long before Eastleigh doubled their lead, this time through advancing full-back Josh Hare who smashed the ball home with the help of a deflection off Sam Youngs.

H-T 0-2

Three minutes after the break it was game over as Ryan Hill fed Hesketh who carried the ball forward and finished in the corner.

Only now did we look like getting on the scoresheet as both Youngs and Faal fired off shots that either missed the target or were too soft.

The fourth goal, and arguably the best, came on 70 minutes when a well-worked corner was played across our box for Andrew Boyce to unleash a magnificent volley.

In truth, Nathan McDonald couldn’t do anything about any of the goals and the fifth came on 81 minutes as Hesketh finished off some terrific interplay.

It could have ben worse as Hesketh and Harry Pritchard both rattled the woodwork in the final stages.

Whilst we were bruised and battered at the finish there is no doubt that mitigating circumstances played a considerable part.

Special mention has to go to our travelling fans who kept up a relentless noise and outsung the home supporters in the 877 crowd from start to finish. They were a credit to the club and were praised by a number of Eastleigh officials.

 “A challenging day was made more difficult when circumstances conspired against us with a number of positive Covid tests in the camp on Friday and Saturday  morning,” said Andy Leese afterwards.

“It may not have affected the outcome of the game but it certainly affected the preparation as we had to select another team to the one we worked on all week.”

“We conceded goals at poor times especially the second and third. We never really kept hold of the ball long enough to fashion any decent opportunities and didn’t give our fantastic support much to shout about.”

“We can get back to the league campaign provided we have enough fit and healthy players to train this week. Thanks to everyone who travelled to support us. Please stay behind the team as we look to make this a memorable season.”

Whilst it was a disappointing end to the Trophy run, the league comes first and now we prepare – Covid regulations permitting — for the eagerly awaited derby at playoff rivals Cheshunt on Dec 27 before an eye-watering nine scheduled games in January.

Town:

McDonald; Joseph, Gyebi, Bray, Smith; Youngs, Taaffe (Kirwan 83), Kiangebeni, Coker (Cook 67), Faal; Cunnington

Our home match with Bowers & Pitsea has been rearranged to take place on Tuesday 18th January.

Meanwhile, please note that match tickets for our 3rd Round FA Trophy tie at Eastleigh on Saturday are available at https://www.eastleighfc.com/tickets/

Adult tickets are £10 and concessions are £5.

We understand Eastleigh do not intend to segregate away fans. Tickets will be available on matchday and Eastleigh intend to make an announcement closer to match day.

If you wish to travel by coach to Eastleigh, just a reminder to please contact Les Gold on 07979 727563 or lesgold@enfieldtownfootballclub.co.uk. The coach will depart the QE II Stadium at 11 AM. Cost £16.

You will be required to wear face coverings on the coach, and Eastleigh have advised face coverings are required to enter their club shop.

If you are intending to use the coach it is recommended you take a Lateral Flow Test on Saturday morning.

For those who haven’t seen it, here is the link to a fascinating interview with both the manager and Mo following the Bognor game.

Andy talks about the match itself, fixture congestion, the competitiveness of our league, our unique fans and preparations for Eastleigh while Mo discusses his love for the club, his aims and aspirations.

Meantime, just to remind everyone that match tickets for our FA Trophy tie at Eastleigh are now available at https://www.eastleighfc.com/tickets/

Adult tickets are £10 and concessions are £5.

No decision has yet been made by Eastleigh if tickets will be available on the day or if away supporters will be segregated. These decisions may be dependant on advanced ticket sales

If you wish to travel by coach to Eastleigh please contact Les Gold on 07979 727563 or lesgold@enfieldtownfootballclub.co.uk

Coaches will depart the QE II Stadium at 11AM (to be confirmed).

Bognor Regis Town 2 Enfield Town 2

Two points dropped after a lightning start, or one gained after being reduced to 10 men?

 You could probably argue it both ways as we came away from Bognor Regis with a rare draw on Saturday that pushed us down one place in the table into third.

Following the defeat by Folkestone, the management team rung the changes – four in fact — as Lee Chappell replaced Jonathan Muleba who was unavailable, Rian Bray came in for  Jerry Gyebi, Nathan Smith replaced Ryan Kirwan and  Adam Cunnington started in place of Lyle Della-Verde.

To say we began on the front foot is an understatement as we tore into Bognor from the kickoff.

As early as the third minute a right-wing cross was headed over the bar by Cunnington while our new-look defence dealt efficiently with three Rocks corners.

 We were soon in front when an eighth-minute freekick by Andre Coker found Mo Faal who got ahead of his marker to volley superbly into the top corner.

We carried on in the same vein, forcing the home defence into mistakes and on 13 minutes doubled our lead.

Bognor gave the ball away on the halfway line and  Cunnington set Mo free to run half the length of the pitch and slot the ball wide of the keeper.

Town continued to dominate and another attack found Percy Kiangebeni in the penalty area by the touch line. His pass found Sam Youngs whose shot was blocked, the ball falling to Chappell whose volley flashed just over the bar.

After 20 minutes Bognor started to get a foothold in the game and found more and more space especially down Town’s left flank.

Nathan Odogonyero was denied by Nathan McDonald when clean through but eight minutes before the break our lead was halved, Odogonyero poking home the rebound after Nathan, with a rare mistake, spilled Jake Flannigan’s effort.

Town were lucky not to concede an equaliser when Bognor’s Charlie Hall found space in the box, only for Harold Joseph to produce an excellent challenge.

H-T 1-2

We were forced into an unfortunate change at halftime as Ryan Kirwan replaced the injured Joseph – arguably our best defender in recent weeks.

Bognor continued where they left off and yellow cards were dished out to Sam Youngs and Percy Kiangebeni.

Jordan Mongoy’s volley missed the far post by inches and things got even more difficult for Town when, on 63 minutes, we found ourselves a man short.

Manny Maja, having already been booked,  was shown a second yellow for kicking the ball away and will now frustratingly miss the eagerly anticipated FA Trophy tie at National League Eastleigh.

Scott Thomas was quickly sent on for Andre Coker to help with a backs-to-the-wall last period as Bognor smelt blood and poured forward.

Odokonyero’s low shot was well saved by McDonald but the Rocks had to wait until the 87^th minute to equalise, the pressure finally telling as Mongoy headed in Joe Dandy’s fierce cross.

Mongoy then shot over while another  Dandy cross was deflected agonisingly wide.

To say we didn’t get the rub of the green was an understatement, however, one example being Percy having his shirt pulled by a defender just as he had a clear run on goal, with only yellow produced by the ref.

And yet we might so easily have dramatically snatched it deep into stoppage time.

Mo, put through by Sam Youngs, squandered the chance of a hattrick when one on one with Amadou Tangara, his shot clipping the keeper’s shoulder.

“It was a massive physical effort from the boys to stay in the game in the second half,” said manager Andy Leese. “Maja is disappointed with what he did and will learn from it.

“It was good game management under pressure but perhaps we should have put the game to bed in the first half. We are still in a great position in what is proving to be a very even league. A week of hard work  and preparation now lies ahead and we will assess to squad to see how we tackle Eastleigh.”

Town: McDonald; Chappell,  Joseph (Kirwan, 45), Bray, Smith; Maja, Youngs, Kiangenbeni (Taafe, 82); Cunnington, Faal, Coker (Thomas, 66).

Thanks to John Dolan for contributing heavily to this report

Tonight’s league game against Bowers and Pitsea has unfortunately had to be postponed due to a waterlogged pitch following prolonged rainfall. A re-arranged date will be announced in due course.

Bowers and Pitsea are the visitors to the QEII Stadium tonight , Kick Off 7:45 PM.

Our visitors had a great run in the FA Cup reaching the First Round proper before going out narrowly at Lincoln City 0-1 in front of 5,800 spectators after beating Aldershot 2-1 at home in the previous round.

As a result of their FA Cup run they are a game or two behind many of the teams in the League and are currently 17th in the table but are fast improving.

 On Saturday they won 2-0 at East Thurrock and will provide a stiff test as we seek to get back to winning ways after the defeat against Folkestone.

Meantime, just to remind everyone that the supporters’  coach to Bognor on Saturday will depart the QEII Stadium at 10:30 AM sharp.

Please book your tickets in the Club Shop or by contacting Les Gold on 07979 727563 or lesgold@enfieldtownfootballclub.co.uk

Enfield Town 2 Folkestone Invicta 3

Report by Andrew Warshaw

It had to happen sometime. It’s just a shame our unbeaten home league record ended against one of our playoff rivals on Saturday.

In all fairness, Folkestone were the sharper side over the 90 minutes with too many Towners players uncharacteristically off the pace.

It was not one of our best days at the office, with too many freekicks and corners wasted and too much hesitant defending, but as Andy Leese said in his programme notes, we can’t play well every week.

This team has a habit of bouncing back from adversity and we are still in second place after some other results went in our favour although not, of course, Worthing’s.

Jerry Gyebi, hindered by an early booking for a reckless challenge just outside the area, went on to have a particularly difficult afternoon against Folkestone’s clever forwards – just as he did in the corresponding fixture earlier this season when he was substituted.

But like the rest of the team Jerry will doubtless learn from the experience and come back stronger.

It all started so well with three attempts by Lyle Della Verde, the third of which stung the hands of Timothy Roberts.

But we fell behind on 15 minutes when a corner was flicked on by Adam Yusuff and Michael Everitt, making his first start of the season, got the last touch.

We have had a habit of hitting back hard when behind and were level within two minutes courtesy of Mo Faal who showed great anticipation to finish off a lightning three-man  move involving Della-Verde and Percy Kiangebeni.

But the Seasiders’ superior movement and link-up play, especially down the left between Kieron McCann and the superb Alfie Paxman, soon had us in trouble again and on 30 minutes they regained the lead as David Smith put Yousuff through to score.

A yard faster than us, Folkestone threatened to take a stranglehold and might easily have had a third before the interval as Paxman cut in and struck the roof of the stand

H-T 1-2

We needed to get far tighter on Folkestone’s front two and on 63 minutes the management team made a timely double substitution as we switched to a back three.

But just as if we looked like getting back on level terms,  we were caught cold by a Folkestone third. A curling McCann cross took out the entire defence and Smith was on hand to convert into an empty net.

We still weren’t done, however. Sam Youngs bundled the ball in for 2-3 in a goalmouth scramble to give us hope. Then two last-ditch interceptions by the Folkestone  defence blocked further goalbound efforts while Mo couldn’t quite keep his shot down in the dying moments.

Whilst the officials made several bizarre decisions – not least unused sub Scott Thomas being booked for gesticulating in stoppage time — Andy admitted some of the players did not perform to their usual standard as we conceded three for the first time since September.

“It was difficult to take today but the damage was done in the first half when we did not work hard enough and we couldn’t repair it,” said Andy. Then the third goal killed us. But we’re still in a good position.”

We certainly are with Bowers and Pitsea, very much an improving team, next up on Tuesday night.

Town:

McDonald; Muleba (Smith 63), Jospeh, Gyebi, Kirwan; Maja, Kiangebeni, Youngs, Della-Verde (Taafe); Coker (Cunnington 63), Faal

We have been drawn away at Eastleigh, two divisions higher, in the third round of the FA Trophy – a huge task but one the players and management team will relish.

Eastleigh, close to Southampton, are currently mid-table in the National League having lost just once at home and will be massive favourites to advance.

They have won their last two league games, including against Notts County, and have the luxury of just one scheduled fixture to get everyone fit between now and meeting us on Dec 18.

But the fact that Folkestone took them to a replay in the FA Cup, and then only lost in extra time, is proof it it were ever needed that cup-ties can be great levellers.

Many of us remember how close we took Maidstone in the FA Cup a few years ago and this is another chance to pit our wits against full-time players and try to cause an upset.

Gate money on the day is shared and with the excitement already mounting travel details will be announced shortly.

Hanwell Town 0 Enfield Town 2

Report by Andrew Warshaw

A brace from Mo Faal sent us into the third round of the FA Trophy on Saturday on an afternoon when controlled football was rendered extremely difficult by the blustery conditions.

Having said that, the pitch was a credit to our Step 4 opponents who in the first half gave as good as they got despite the absence of three cup-tied players but didn’t pose much of a threat after the break as our superior composure and game management won the day.

With Manny Maja back in the side following a one-match ban, it was a toss-up whether Sam Youngs would retain his place in the side after his winner again Hornchurch in midweek or whether the on-loan Kurtis Cumberbatch would be selected again.

Sam got the nod and went on to put in a man of the match performance that said everything about the team ethic and competition for places.

Just two minutes were on the clock when Mo had the ball in the net, only to be ruled narrowly and controversially offside.

Hanwell responded by carving out two glorious chances to take the lead, first when right wingback Dan Carr, their most effective player on the day, brought a superb save from Nathan McDonald, only for Ogo Obi to head the rebound against the bar when it was easier to score.

We had another let-off courtesy a bad mistake from  Jerry Gyebi whose underhit square pass let in Tom Siemienczuk who delayed his shot and allowed Nathan to smother.

That was effectively that as far as Hanwell’s threat was concerned as we began to take control.

Mo soon had the ball in the net again, only for the flag to be raised once more, this time with more justification.

But it was a case of third time lucky on 43 minutes as he beat the offside by running on to Lyle Della-Verde’s long ball and burying his shot in the corner.

H-T 0-1

Now it was a question of trying to make the game safe as we upped the ante and were quicker to the ball.

Andre Coker and Della-Verde both went close while Youngs continually wrested possession from the opposition to set up attacks and Harold Joseph put in another masterly performance at the back.

When they did have a chance to hurt us, Hanwell invariably rushed their efforts or chose the wrong option.

The second goal in a game of few clearcut chances finally came on 80 minutes, just after we had changed formation, and was noisily greeted by Town’s travelling following who made up the majority of the 336 crowd.

Substitute Adam Cunnington, who moments earlier was able to play on despite a nasty gash down his leg, fed Mo and the ball squirmed into the net via the Hanwell keeper’s fumble, making sure that we didn’t become their second Isthmian Premier League scalp

“It was a fantastic performance against a good Hanwell side,” said Andy Leese. “Conditions were difficult but we navigated them well and I felt we largely controlled the game and restricted them to few chances.”

“Mo showed his match-winning qualities again, scoring at good times for us to get ourselves in the next round. We had great travelling support again where thermals were the order of the day. We could hear the singing from inside the dressing room.”

Now we await the third-round draw at lunchtime Monday with the mouth-watering prospect of playing one of non league football’s big boys in what is our longest run in the tournament.  

Town:

McDonald; Chappell, Gyebi, Joseph, Kirwan; Maja (Cook, 91), Youngs, Della-Verde (Smith), Kiangebeni; Coker (Cunnington, 67), Faal.