By Andrew Warshaw
Enfield Town attempt to maintain their 100 percent start to the season on Saturday against a side Gavin Macpherson rates as far better than their results to date might suggest.
Despite three straight wins, the last of which at Folkestone last Saturday was perhaps the most pleasing, Town have an awkward 48 hours ahead of them starting with the visit of Cray Wanderers who finished fifth last term.
Just 48 hours later, we go to Haringey Borough on Bank Holiday Monday for a local derby that will pose its own problems for a squad that is beginning to look somewhat thin because of injuries.
“Cray were right up in the promotion race last season and although they have lost all three games, we will have to be near-perfect,” said Gavin.
With Jake Cass now ruled out for the season and at least three other regulars extremely doubtful, Gavin is having to box clever with his selections.
“It’s a real balancing act in terms of mixing it up over the next two games – if I have the chance to,” Gav explained.
“Most of those injured should be back fairly soon so I’ve stood back from trying to bring anyone else in. Let’s just hope we don’t take another hit against Cray. I have huge trust in the squad. It’s just concerning we are so short of numbers so soon.”
The exception to holding back is trying to acquire a like-for-like replacement for Jake. Easier said than done.
“We are trying to bolster our options in that position but it means bringing in a very, very good player. And that kind of player is very unlikely not to be playing at another club,” Gav explained.
He has nothing but praise for the squad who have so far risen to every challenge.
“They are running through brick walls at the moment,” said Gavin on the eve of the game against Cray who by all accounts were unlucky to come up short against three of the division’s heavyweights in Lewes, Horsham and Billericay.
“Now we are asking the boys to do it yet again. I take my hat off to them.”