Having been knocked out at the first hurdle in all cup competitions to date this season, Enfield Town enter the FA Trophy tomorrow against former winners Hornchurch determined to buck that trend but without a string of key players for the second round clash.
No fewer than six of the first-team squad could be missing, either injured or, in the cases of Alfie Tuck and Dan Cox, called up by Wales under-19 while Harry Ottaway has bade farewell to the club for a second time
It’s hardly the ideal scenario ahead our last chance of cup progress in what is generally regarded as the FA Cup for non-league sides, plus of course, the prize money on offer.
But every cloud has a silver lining and the additions of youth internationals Fionn Mooney, an attacking midfielder who came through the academy at Crystal Palace, and striker Ruben Shakpoke has lifted the entire mood in the camp.
Our search for a centre-forward is well documented and Rueben, 20, is a hugely exciting prospect having been on the books of both Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion.
“I’ve been saying for some weeks that we need to strengthen our forward options, both Ruben and Fionn bring recent professional experience to the camp”, said Gavin macpherson
“They are both very different in the way they operate but the hope is they add much needed goals to our current situation. I’m certainly not putting any pressure on them or the wider squad, we accept that we have key players missing for the visit of Hornchurch and it’s for me to shoulder any pressure and responsibility that already exists.”
Although Tuesday’s Middlesex Cup defeat at Hanwell was not the result we wanted or expected, Gavin made wholesale changes and there were plenty of positives to take from the game, just as there were last Saturday against Salisbury.
This, however, is an altogether different challenge.The draw hasnt exactly been kind and we take on an Urchins team who, despite being in the bottom half of the same division as us, look ominously strong on paper and who, of course, swept all before them to actually win the competition three years ago as a Step 3 side.
Ironically this will be the first of two meetings in 10 days with Hornchurch since we play them again at home in the league on Nov 26.
Whilst league points are obviously paramount, a cup run can have a galvanising effect.
“I have to take the view that this gives other people an opportunity,” said Gavin. “Some people might feel we don’t need any distractions and if you offered me staying up over a cup run, I’d take that any day. Having said that, the FA Trophy is a fantastic competition. League runs can emulate from cup runs. While we’ll obviously be weakened by absentees and have a couple of square pegs in round holes somewhere, let’s give it a go and try to stay in it.”