We are delighted to announce that Gavin Macpherson has been named March’s Vanarama Manager of the Month for National League South
Following defeat to Dorking on the first day of the month, Town went five games unbeaten in March, picking up 11 points out of a possible 15 in our push for Step 2 survival.
Everyone at the club would like to congratulate Gavin on his award though he would like it to be known that it was as a result of a collective team effort by players and management staff alike.
Hemel Hempstead 1 Enfield Town 1
Report by Martin Bentley
Enfield Town’s clash with Hemel Hempstead fizzled out into a disappointing 1-1 draw at a warm sunny Vauxhall Road on Saturday but survival is still very much in our hands.
Gavin Macpherson may have rued his side conceding an equaliser but the outcome was actually not too bad a result, as a draw for St Albans and defeat for Salisbury saw Town hold on to 20th position with a three-point cushion and just four games left to play.
Gavin made several changes, starting with a new strike force of Anointed Chukwu and on-loan Cian Dillon, his first start.
Indeed, Dillon announced himself with a high-speed gallop down the left in the opening seconds as Town started the game very much on the front foot.
Sam Youngs had already had a header saved by home keeper Jameson Horlick before Town took a fourth-minute lead. Bayley Brown ploughed through the middle before feeding Billy Leonard on the right wing and Leonard’s cross was nodded in at the far post by Lennon Peake.
Town might have doubled their lead in the 16th minute when Chukwu’s effort was blocked by Horlick, the rebound finding its way to Leonard on the edge of the box, only for his shot to be hacked off the line by Mazeed Ogungbo.
Youngs then headed Peake’s corner wide as Town continued to ask questions but Hemel were slowly gaining a greater share of possession.
The dangerous Ollie Lynch had an effort ruled out for offside and a shot blocked within the space of four minutes as the Tudors finished the half on top.
H-T 0-1
The interval saw Hemel substitute a presumably injured Lynch, much to Town’s relief, but apart from a Leonard shot that was saved comfortably by Horlick, there was very little to excite the spectators in the opening 20 minutes of the half.
On 66 minutes, however, Hemel found an equaliser with their first meaningful shot. Ajayi’s flick-on found an unmarked Joe White, who beat the advancing Joe Wright comfortably.
The game seemed to fizzle out at this point, probably due to the unseasonably high temperatures; the final half hour was a frustrating series of mishit passes and wayward crossing.
However the Tudors might have nicked all three points when Ogungbo sent a free header inexplicably wide of Wright’s left-hand post.
Three straight draws now for Town and suddenly that St Albans game on Good Friday looks more and more crucial.
Town
Wright, Benjamin, Hawkins, Stallard, Leonard (Oyenuga 88), Parcell, Brown, Peake (Knight 80), Youngs, Chukwu (Bates 64), Dillon (Kasimu 90)
Enfield Town FC is thrilled to announce a special event for football fans and local supporters alike. On Friday, 4th April 2025, the club will host an unforgettable evening with two legends of the game, Alf D’Arcy and Steve Perryman.
This event promises to be a unique opportunity for fans to hear personal stories, insights, and experiences from Alf D’Arcy and Steve Perryman, both of whom have left an indelible mark on the sport. The evening will include a Q&A session, giving attendees the chance to engage directly with these football icons. Whether you’re a lifelong supporter or a newcomer to the game, this is a rare chance to connect with the history and passion of football through the eyes of two local legends.
Tickets are available for purchase now at enfieldtownfc.ktckts.com. Given the limited capacity and high demand for such an exclusive event, fans are encouraged to secure their spots early to avoid disappointment.
The evening is proudly presented in association with The Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust, a cause close to the hearts of many in the football community. By attending, you’ll not only enjoy a memorable night but also contribute to raising awareness and support for this important charity.
Great news for fans – the first supporters mini bus is now fully booked! Due to high demand, we’re looking to arrange a second mini bus to get more of you to the game. However, we need a willing additional driver to make this happen. If you’d like to volunteer or discuss this opportunity further, please contact us at 07493 425359 or email community@etfc.london. We’d love to hear from you!
We’re excited to offer specially reduced ticket prices for matchday:
Additionally, if you’re a season ticket holder at another club, you can enjoy entry for just £5 – simply show your season ticket at the gate. Tickets are available for purchase at the turnstiles on matchday or online via the ticket office here: Fanbase Ticket Office.
For those driving to the game, parking in the club car park is available on a first-come, first-served basis at a cost of £5 per car. Alternatively, free parking is available nearby in Longlands and Queens Square – check the attached map for details.
Please Note: Parking is strictly controlled, so plan ahead to secure your spot!
We can’t wait to see you at the game – thank you for your continued support! For any questions or to volunteer as a driver, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Enfield Town 0 Chippenham Town 0
The two sides cancelled each other out in this one at a sunny Dave Bryant Stadium in an attritional game in which free-flowing football was at a premium.
Following a minute’s silence for the late Middlesex FA Chair John Taylor, the visitors were the first to show, with Tom Owen-Evans dragging a low shot across Joe Wright’s goal. For Enfield, Ollie Knight had a shot saved by ‘keeper Will Henry who, soon afterwards, punched clear a flick-on following an inswinging corner perilously close to his goalline, with a number of fans behind the goal claiming that the ball had actually crossed the line.
On 16 minutes Jake Evans fired over after some build up play on the Chippenham right, and a few minutes later Xavier Benjamin did well to block an effort from Luke Spokes after he had been fed by Alex Bray. Wright took no chances with a loose bouncing ball, pushing it over the bar, but a scarcity of goalmouth action in the first half contributed to the fairly low key atmosphere.
Half time: 0-0
The second period was more competitive, and not without controversy. Lennon Peake’s inswinging corners continued to cause problems for the Chips’ rearguard, and he also drilled a free-kick off target. Jack Bates’ rising shot failed to trouble Henry while, around the hour mark, a dangerous Spokes free-kick was headed behind for a corner by Henry Hawkins. At the other end, Bates was booked for simulation after he appeared to be impeded inside the box and then Town’s man of the match on the day saw his firm drive tipped over. Sam Youngs fired narrowly wide.
The key moment of the match came ten minutes from time following a Bates free-kick which caused confusion in the visitors’ defence. Substitute Cian Dillon appeared to force the ball over the line following Henry’s parry, and online footage after the match indicated at least a suspicion of handball on the line but, much to home supporters’ ire, the referee and his assistant waved play on.
As the match reached its conclusion, home skipper Mickey Parcell shot wide while, at the death, after a Chippenham free-kick had been deflected behind, Wright produced a top-drawer save to keep out Caine Bradbury’s goalbound shot to preserve a potentially crucial point.
Interviewed after the game, Gavin Macpherson was firmly of the opinion that his side should have won the match and that the players remained positive, upbeat and in good spirits, knowing that Town’s fate was still in their own hands over the remaining five tough encounters to come.
Team: Wright; Benjamin, Thompson, Hawkins; Leonard, Parcell, Bates (Chukwu 86), Sidwell (Brown 57), Knight; Youngs, Peake (Dillon 61). Subs not used: Stallard, Kasimu.
Attendance: 982.
Welcome to the Towners, Cian Dillon! 🙌 We’re thrilled to have the 18-year-old Irish centre-forward join us on loan from Queens Park Rangers U21 until the end of the season. With 4 goals in 6 caps for Ireland U19 and a knack for finding the net, Cian’s ready to make his mark at Enfield Town FC. Let’s give him a warm welcome! ⚽
#UpTheTown
It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since we said goodbye to our founding chair and all-around legend, Dave Bryant. His spirit continues to inspire us, and this Saturday, we’re coming together to celebrate his legacy. We’re thrilled to welcome Rizete and Barbara, who are kindly sponsoring the match ball and Man of the Match award, along with Dave’s family and many friends who will be joining us at the game. It’s set to be a heartfelt tribute to a man who meant so much to our club.
On the ground, progress is steaming ahead as we work to bring the stadium up to Step 2 standard. The turnstiles are now in place, and this week marked the start of groundwork for the new stand. The first task? Relocating the north stand, a job ticked off the list by Monday thanks to some serious teamwork. A huge shoutout goes to our dedicated volunteers—Eric Allan, Ian Hamilton, Jonathan, Steven, Simon, and Pete Gooch—who rolled up their sleeves and put in a full day’s graft. It wasn’t easy, but seeing the stands now standing proud made it all worthwhile. We’re also grateful to Elite Stands and Alan from David Stanley Transport for their support in making this happen.
For Saturday’s match, the re-sited stands will likely still have their seats in place, but don’t worry—the full removal is on the horizon. We’re moving forward, step by step, and it’s all thanks to the incredible community that keeps this club alive. See you at the game!
#UpTheTown
Way back in August, Enfield Town received a nasty wake-up call in the form of a 6-1 home defeat at the hands of Slough Town. The return fixture proved a vastly different story against a largely similar Slough line-up, with Town unlucky not to take all three points following an impressive second half comeback. The performance was testament to the huge advances made by Gavin McPherson’s side in the intervening seven months. The point also moved Town up a place in the National League table, with Welling United’s unlikely victory over leader’s Worthing the only activity of note involving the teams below us.
Town changes saw a recall for John Oyenuga and a first start for Harry Sidwell in midfield, but the home side were the first to settle, with wingers David Ogbonna and Johnny Goddard giving Town’s full back several hairy moments. A low cross from Taylor Clark was stabbed into the net by home centre back Edon Pruti to give the Revels a 14th minute lead, but this Town side are made of sterner stuff these days, and quickly set about repairing the damage. Lennon Peake was finding space to operate down the left, but Town were unable to benefit from his crosses. The best first half chances fell to Peake, whose shot was blocked; in the resultant scramble, Sam Youngs’ effort was save by the outstretched leg of home keeper Charlie Horlock. Xavier Benjamin then hit a low effort a yard wide as Town began to ask some serious questions of the home side.
The second half saw Town on the front foot, with wide men Peake and Billy Leonard stretching the Rebels’ defence, although most of their crosses were swallowed comfortably by the sure-handed Horlock. The equaliser soon arrived though, and was the result of some bloody-minded persistence, as well as two good advantages played by referee Mr Swan. Mickey Parcell might have had a free kick when he surged forward from midfield, and Anointed Chukwu might have had a penalty when he was impeded in the box. The ball ended up at the feet of Youngs though, and he beat Horlock with a low drive from ten yards. Game on.
As Town chased a winner, the crosses were continually fired in, and Chukwu missed the best chance of the game when he volleyed Ollie Knight’s cross wide of Horlock’s right hand post. Slough’s forward line had belatedly woken up, however, and Joe Wright tipped Ogbonna’s dangerous cross to safety, with two hopeful Rebels waiting at the far post. Francis Amartey’s effort was brilliantly blocked on the line by Benjamin in the 90th minute, and the travelling support’s fingernails were getting a severe chewing during the following seven minutes of stoppage time. Their only two efforts of note, however, sailed harmlessly into the Lynch Hill Academy behind the goal, and Town held on comfortably for their deserved point.
Inch by inch we are moving away from the trapdoor. Wish all away days were like this.
Team: Wright, Benjamin, Thompson, Hawkins, Leonard, Parcell, Sidwell, Oyenuga, Youngs, Peake, Chukwu
Subs: Knight (for Oyenuga 62), Tormey (for Chukwu 80), Kasimu (for Peake 89), Bates (for Sidwell 90+7. Not used: Stallard
Don’t forget our next fixture is at home vs Chippenham and we need you the 12th man! Tickets can be purchased in advance online here https://enfieldtownfc.ktckts.com/brand/match-tickets
Cast your mind back to our third game of the season and that sobering 6-1 trouncing by Slough, a result which illustrated, if we didn’t know it already, how tough a challenge this league would be.
Seven months on, we have a chance to avenge that when we visit Arbour Park on Saturday hoping to maintain our recent run of form that has seen us pull clear of the drop zone with three straight wins.
Six points ahead of Town, Slough have been inconsistent of late but will be keen not to get dragged into the danger area and proved how dangerous they can be with a 4-0 home win over high-flying Worthing last month.
“We’re a very different team to when we played them last with different attributes and more running power,” said Gavin Macpherson.
“But we’re still very much underdogs. Let’s face it, we’re the league’s unfashionable club that people don’t really consider to be at Step 2 level.”
“I understand that point of view cos you have to earn your stripes in this league and we haven’t done that until maybe recently.”
With St Albans winning and Welling losing in midweek to be five and eight points behind Town respectively, all those near the bottom have now played the same number of games, with seven left.
“It’s in our hands,” said Gavin, “but there will still be some twists and turns. I’ve got a hell of a lot of time for (Slough player/manager) Scott Davies who I speak to regularly. He does a fantastic job over there and we know they have players who can hurt you. We’ll have to defend well on another artificial surface but the boys are competing above and beyond what I’ve asked of them.”
AW
We are delighted to announce that Gavin Macpherson has once again won the Vanarama National League South manager of the week award.
Our fantastic, last-gasp win over high-flying Truro on Saturday opened up an eight-point gap above the bottom four at the time and was our third straight maximum points haul as we bid for Step 2 survival
Many congrats, Gav!
