This Saturday we make the trip to the Dripping Pan to play fellow supporters-owned club Lewes. Please note if travelling by Club Coach that the departure time from the QEII Stadium is 11AM, not 11:45 as previously stated elsewhere. To book a seat on the coach, call Les Gold on 07979 727563 or email lesgold@enfieldtownfootballclub.co.uk.

Lewes FC’s admissions prices are:

• Adults – £12
• Concessions – £7
• Under 16s go free (Under 12s must be accompanied by an adult)

If you’re making your own way to the game the ground address is Mountfield Road, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2XA.

The ground is only a short walk from Lewes Station which can be reached by regular trains from Victoria.

The Dripping Pan is one of the most popular grounds in the Isthmian League for many and is always a popular away game for Town Supporters. Lewes have had a mixed start to the season with 5 points from four games and were knocked out of the FA Cup by the Metropolitan Police 1-2 at home last Saturday. Many still expect them to be play-off contenders come the end of the season.

We will host Barnet-based near neighbours Hadley FC in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round on Saturday 18 September.

Hadley won their first qualifying round replay at Enfield FC (formerly Enfield 1893) 3-2 after extra time on Wednesday evening.

Congratulations to the Bricks who play in Step 5 and will have nothing to lose when they visit us.

The fixture will replace our scheduled League fixture with Kingstonian. A new date will be found for that game.

You could hardly make it up. A potentially mouth-watering local derby awaits Enfield Town following the draw today for the 2nd qualifying round of the FA Cup.

Provided they win their replay against Hadley, Enfield FC – originally known as Enfield 1893 —  will be our visitors on September 18.

The match provides us with a fantastic chance of progressing further in the tournament but the management team will be taking nothing for granted against which ever of the two Step 5 teams we play.

If Enfield FC are our opponents, we are likely to see the return to the QE11 of the much-travelled Jamie Cureton, now player-manager at the Essex Senior League club, as well as former Spurs defender Razor Ruddock who is also involved with our neighbours.

Should Hadley win the first qualifying round replay, the Spartan South Midlands League side will travel the short distance from their home in Arkley, Barnet.

Ticket information will follow in the build-up to the game.

Match Report by Andrew Warshaw

Two goals from Andre Coker sent us into the 2^nd qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday at the expense of Step 4 Dereham Town but we had to survive an anxious last few minutes.

All eyes will be on Monday’s draw after we prevailed 2-1 against spirited opponents who never gave up after being given a late lifeline.

For once, Mo Faal’s display  was overshadowed by that of Andre who put in a scintillating man-of-the-match performance to fully justify his selection and on another day might have had a hat-trick

Our visitors from one level below started on the front foot with half-chances from Adam Hipperson and David Hinton, the first effort held by Nathan McDonald at the second attempt, the second fired over the bar.

It wasn’t long, however, before we pushed Dereham back as we imposed our superior skill and fitness.

Mo’s dipping volley on nine minutes was brilliantly tipped over by Elliot Pride and moments later, Mo turned inside an opponent and drove just wide as Dereham’s defenders backed off.

Dereham, with Andrew Fisk anchoring their midfield, still looked threatening on the counter-attack and Nathan McDonald got down low to save from Rhys Logan.

But Town’s superiority finally told four minutes before the break. Long throw specialist Lee Chappell mixed it up and went short and Coker was on hand to volley in Percy Kiangenbeni’s cross.

A melee in first-half stoppage time showed just what the tie meant to both sides with the prize of being in the hat for the next round at stake.

Halftime 1-0

Just after halftime another Coker effort was cleared off the line, the Dereham keeper palming away Sam Young’s goalbound follow-up.

Town were now well on top but it seemed that every time we went forward we were caught offside by a canny defence.

Coker was not to be denied, however,  and notched his second on 62 minutes, rifling the ball home after great link-up play with Adam Cunnington.

Six minutes later,  Towners fans got their first glimpse of the returning Lyle Della-Verde when he came off the bench to replace the tiring Cunnington.

But shortly afterwards, against the run of play, the visitors from Norfolk halved the deficit as Toby Hilliard finished off their best move of the game.

Goals do wonders for confidence and suddenly Dereham sensed they could force a replay and upped the tempo. As a result, Ryan Kirwan was introduced to stiffen the defence as Coker was replaced, gaining a warm and deserved ovation in the process.

Faal almost made it 3-1 in a stoppage time counter-attack, only to shoot over. But with almost the last action of the game and with McDonald off his line, a speculative Dereham lob was thankfully off target — much to the anguish of our opponents.

Town

McDonald; Chappell, Bray, Gyebi, Smith; Thomas, Kiangebeni (Taafe, 90) , Youngs, Coker (Kirwan 82), ; Cunnington (Della-Verde, 68), Faal

Attendance: 405

Exciting news ahead of our FA Cup 1^st qualifying round home game tomorrow.

We are delighted to announce that Lyle Della-Verde has re-signed for the club from Welling United  and will be available for selection against Dereham Town.

Lyle made 22 appearances for us during two truncated Covid-hit seasons, becoming a firm favourite with the fans.

“We’re delighted to have him back at the club, we know that he will add great quality to the squad. Lyle trained with us on Thursday and can’t wait to get back in a Town shirt again,” said chairman Paul Reed.

With no Premier League or Championship football being played due to the international programme, we are hoping for another bumper gate to get our FA Cup journey under way after the magnificent recent attendance against  Cheshunt.

Enfield Town beat Brentwood 4-3 on penalties after an entertaining 2-2 draw at the QEII Stadium in the Preliminary Round of the FA Youth Cup on Wednesday.

Our goals were scored by Thomas Horniak and Bogdan Brinzanuic.

Town are away to West Essex or Aveley in the First Qualifying Round.

Enfield Town 1 Cheshunt 0

Match Report by Andrew Warshaw

In front of 686 spectators, our biggest league gate for several years, Bank Holiday Monday brought another battling victory for the Towners as we narrowly overcame neighbours Cheshunt to make it 10 points out of 12.

Like us, our visitors were protecting an unbeaten start to the season but they were undone by the game’s one moment of quality as Mo Faal produced a spectacular finish on 38 minutes to round off the best move of the game featuring Sam Youngs, Scott Thomas and Adam Cunnington.

Special praise should go to Adam who perhaps had a point to prove against his old club. Despite precious little game time and being booked late on for dissent, he worked tirelessly for the team especially when using all his experience to hold the ball up in the last 15 minutes as his teammates tired after two games in 48 hours.

Adam wasn’t the only player trying to impress against his former club. Ken Charles, who enjoyed a lengthy spell with us, was lively up front for Cheshunt throughout and on another day might have found the net.

Both sides had early chances – Mo for us and Joe Re for the Ambers – before the visitors were inches away from taking the lead on 20 minutes. Reece Beckles-Richards’ curling screamer came back off the woodwork and somehow bounced out.

A double save from Nathan McDonald moments later kept us in the game before the most worrying aspect of the first half —  an injury to Josh Urquhart.

Having hurt his ankle whilst producing a superb tackle on Charles earlier in the game,  Josh had to be stretchered off just before the interval after damaging his knee and we had to re-organise.

By then, fortunately, we had taken the lead through Mo’s brilliant first-time volley in a wonderful four-man move.

Halftime: 1-0

Apart from a spell early in the second half when Charles, showing quick feet, twice almost levelled, Nathan was largely untroubled in our goal.

By contrast, substitute Andre Coker, on for the injured Lewis Taafe at halftime, had two excellent chances to put us further ahead while only a saving tackle Adam Crowther prevented Mo notching his second of the game.

Before the finish, our walking wounded list got worse as  Scott Thomas limped off following a tussle with Zubayr Brodie. We can only hope he recovers ahead of the all-important FA Cup first qualifying round game against Dereham on Saturday.

At least the influential Percy Kiangebeni should return, having been away on other business and conspicuous by his absence in our midfield.

In all, another spirited display of teamwork and togetherness. Hats off to the management team as well as the players.

Town line-up:

Mcdonald; Urquhart (Chappell 45), Bray, Gyebi, Smith; Thomas (Kirwan 77), Youngs, Maja, Taafe (Coker 46), Cunnington, Faal.

Subs not used: Walsh, Nzembela

Folkestone Invicta 0 Enfield Town 0

Match Report by John Dolan and Andrew Warshaw

Andy Leese hailed an excellent point as we maintained our unbeaten start to the season with a hard-fought draw in front of a bumper 800-plus crowd on the Kent coast.

Sam Youngs and Adam Cunnington, the latter back after injury, came into the starting line-up after both sides won their opening two games.

Folkestone, who were virtually at full strength, beat much-fancied Worthing 3-1 in their opening fixture which puts into perspective just how satisfying this result was.

The home side had by far the better of the first half and were convinced they should have taken the lead after just six minutes when David Smith’s shot hit the underside of the bar, only for the referee to rule it had not crossed the line. It was a fortunate let-off and VAR may well have ruled in Invicta’s favour.

The first half was very much a backs-to-the-wall job for us as Smith, Alfie Paxman with a free header, the dangerous Ade Yusuff and Jordan Wright had further chances to put the game to bed.

 On 23 minutes Nathan Smith did wonders to block one shot and then kick the ball off the line after a period of sustained pressure.

 The Towners were defending resolutely and clearing their lines, but the ball kept coming back again as they lost possession.

Following a torrid opening 30 minutes we came into the game and Cunnington hit the post after great work by Youngs. This galvanised us and Percy Kiangebeni found space after a trademark strong run and his shot was turned wide for a corner by Tim Roberts.

Half Time 0-0

The second half saw a change in personnel and formation by the management team as Jerry Gyebi was replaced by Ryan Kirwan and Town went to three  at the back with  Percy and Ryan  providing more width.

The effect of this was to nullify Folkestone as an attacking unit with the Towners looking the more likely side.

After a busy first half, Nathan McDonald had far less work to do and on 74 minutes Mo tried to find a small gap  between the post and opposing keeper’s legs and saw the ball almost squirm in.

Mani Maja was cautioned after giving away a free kick on 86 minutes in a dangerous area but luckily for Town, Callum Davies’ header was gratefully received by Nathan.

There was still time for Mo to see his stoppage-time effort saved and for Percy’s follow-up to be blocked in a goalmouth scramble.

“I am delighted with a point,” said Andy. “We made changes at halftime to match what Folkestone were doing and prevented them from creating too many second-half chances.”

That’s seven points from three games now. Roll on Cheshunt on Monday, kick off 3pm.

Towners Line-up:

McDonald, Urquhart, Smith, Thomas, Gyebi (Kirwan, 46) , Bray, Kiengebeni, Youngs (Taafe, 74), Cunnington (78), Faal, Maja.

Subs not used: Nzembela, Chappell.

Enfield Town have been drawn at home to Dereham Town of the Isthmian North Division. 

Dereham play in Step 4 and we will be hoping for a decent turn-out on Sept 4 to help us progress to the following round

Meantime, we will be running a coach to the Folkestone game on Saturday.

Depart QEII Stadium 10:30AM

Cost : £16

To book call Les Gold on 07979727563 or email lesgold@enfieldtownfootballclub.co.uk 

If your making your own way by road or rail the club address is Cheriton Road, Folkestone, CT19 5JU. 

If you are going by train you have the option of going from Kings Cross International or Victoria. 

Folkestone, like Town, are one of only 4 teams with maximum points. This promises to be the toughest test for us so far so the more of you who can get to the Kent coast, the better.  

On Bank Holiday Monday we entertain Cheshunt at home in the  A10 El Classico, kickoff at 3pm

Advance tickets are available here:

https://shop.etfc.london/events

There is a great friendly rivalry between our two clubs.  Cheshunt have made a good start to the season with a 3-0 win against East Thurrock and a creditable 2-2 draw at Lewes.

Match Report by Andrew Warshaw

We are only two games in and it’s early days. But momentum means everything and our 2-0 win over Brightlingsea Regent on Saturday  put us top of the division on goal difference and augurs well as we head into a busy Bank Holiday weekend.

With Andy Leese away on other business, Mario and Ian Hart took charge of the team on the day and the players didn’t disappoint.

Our visitors started brightly, if you’ll excuse the pun, but the confidence from our opening-day win at Carshalton soon  shone through and we ran out worthy winners. In fact we would have won by more but for some excellent second-half goalkeeping from Regent’s Charlie Turner.

The best early chance fell to Brightlingsea when Jake Clowsley’s angled drive was pushed away for a corner by Nathan McDonald. In fact the first 15 minutes were even but we soon got into our stride despite two handball appeals by the visitors, both of which were waved away.

Mo Faal twice stung the hands of Turner before Rian Bray, up for a freekick after Mo was foul, was narrowly off target.  Another freekick, awarded  after Percy Kiangebeni was brought down after a mazy run, saw Andre Coker shoot over.

Just like at Carshalton, Percy (pictured) was arguably our most influential player on the day and it was his goal that put us in front with halftime approaching, albeit with considerable help from the otherwise superb Turner.  More excellent link-up play between Percy and Andre Coker ended with the former’s shot squirming into the net following an unfortunate fumble by Turner much to the delight of the Towners’ faithful behind the goal.

Halftime:  Enfield Town 1 Brightlingsea Regent 0

Just like in the first half, the visitors began positively after the break and should have levelled when Ken Feyi was off target with a free header.

But when he went off injured, his team’s main attacking threat went with him.

By then, however, Town would have been out of sight but for a series of tremendous saves by the quick-thinking Turner.

First he somehow kept out  Josh Urquhart’s powerful volley,  then made two flying stops from the ever-dangerous Faal who on another day might well have had a hattrick.  Another reflex save, this time keeping out Kiangebeni’s low shot that was heading for the corner, kept his team in the game.

Only in a tense final few minutes were we forced on the back foot as Brightlingsea  chanced their luck. But we deservedly held our nerve  and in stoppage time substitute Ebrima Sawaneh, with virtually his first touch, made the game safe as his half-hit, bouncing shot nestled  in the corner after fine work by another sub, Sam Youngs.

Altogether a thoroughly pleasing display as we head into two eagerly awaited fixtures,  at in-form Folkestone on Saturday and the Bank Holiday Monday derby at home to Cheshunt.

Teams:

Enfield Town:

McDonald, Urquhart, Smith, Thomas, Gyebi, Bray, Kiangebeni, Taafe (Sawaneh, 92) , Maja, Faal (Walsh, 90), Coker (Youngs, 67).

Subs not used: Nzmbela, Kirwan

Bookings: Taafe

Brightsinglea:

Turner, Walter-Smith, Wales, Durling, Bennett (Bradford, 80) , Thompson, Gouldbourne, McDonald, Feyi (Byrne-Hewitt, 57) , Booth (Ager, 80), Clowsley.

Attendance: 394