---

Goalmouth action against Wealdstone

---

(Middlesex Senior Cup Quarter Final) 7th January 2002

Enfield Town (1) 3 Clarke 20, 59; Shaw OG 53
Wealdstone (1) 1 Hammett 27

Match Report by Peter Coath, Enfield Town FC Press Officer

Town progressed to the semi-finals of the County Cup tonight with a thrilling victory over Ryman League opposition. Wealdstone, from Ryman Division One, got off to a good start, forcing a corner in the first minute. Spurred on by a large and vocal crowd, the 'Stones looked stronger in all departments and had the Town midfield chasing shadows. The home side, capably captained by Stuart Snowden in the absence of the suspended Brotherton, gradually got their act together though and Danny Alleyne fired in Town's first goal attempt on 10 minutes.

It was only a brief respite though as Wealdstone gained the upper hand again and it was quite against the run of play when Town's top scorer Danny Clarke went on a winding run to totally outwit the 'Stones defence and put his side ahead on 20 minutes. Town seized the initiative after that and Clarke was again causing problems before Wealdstone grabbed an equaliser on 27 minutes - ex-Enfield striker Brian Hammatt scoring with a free header after a near post flick-on from a corner kick.

Martin St Hilaire, making his home debut for Enfield Town, blazed a direct free-kick over the bar on 30 minutes and Danny Alleyne then narrowly failed to capitalise on a quickly taken free-kick from John Ridout as Town started to liven things up. Wealdstone 'keeper Andy Carter was saved from embarrassment on the stroke of half-time when he managed to drop a Jamie Morris corner kick into his own net, only for Referee Street to blow for a foul on the 'keeper from any one of several Town players in the box at the time.

Mathew Negus, improving as the game went on, shot over for Town on 47 minutes. St Hilaire had the next worthwhile goal attempt, beating Carter to a Morris free kick only to see his looping back-header drop wide. Clarke sent in a dangerous cross on 55 minutes that John Everritt narrowly failed to connect with and it was becoming quite an end-to-end game, with Andy Hall being called into action repeatedly to smother some useful chances created by the 'Stones.

Clarke put Town back in front on 59 minutes, thanks to a huge slice of luck when he and Carter contested a long, hopeful through pass - the ball rebounding into his path from the back of the 'keeper's head to present him with a simple tap-in. Hammatt forced another save from Andy Hall, direct from a free kick on 61 minutes, and then had a goal ruled out for offside as the Ryman club fought to stay in the game.

Town settled matters on 83 minutes thanks to more good fortune - the 'Stones Jason Shaw turning a low Clarke cross into his own net. Jamie Morris had a glorious opportunity to make it four, on 86 minutes, but with the 'Stones watching helplessly after their off-side trap broke down, the Town winger struck his shot straight at Carter's legs. It was the last worthwhile goal attempt of the game as Town successfully held off a late flurry from the 'Stones to book a semi-final trip to either Hayes or Hendon.

Enfield Town; A Hall, Allen (Henderson 66), Negus, Snowden, G Hall, St Hilaire (Watson 84), Morris, Ridout, Clarke, Everritt, Alleyne (Riley 74). Subs; Riley, Watson, Henderson, Antoine, Morgan.

Snowden scores the opener for Enfield Town

(Essex Senior League) 12th January 2002

Woodford Town (0) 0
Enfield Town (0) 3 Snowden (pen) 51; Negus 72; Clarke 77

Match Report by Peter Coath, Enfield Town FC Press Officer

After the midweek exertions in the County Cup Enfield Town played their first league game of the new year and were rewarded with a well earned win over a much improved Woodford Town side. Danny Clarke announced his presence to the home defence as early as the second minute, cutting inside his marker to hit a low shot against the foot of the post, but Woodford then had three good opportunities themselves through Pamplin and Mustapha.

Enfield settled though and with Stuart Snowden and Graeme Hall once again proving solid at the back Woodford had few further chances throughout a lively first half. Hall had a header well saved by Woodford keeper Neal on 11 minutes, following a Jamie Morris corner, and Clarke was denied by Neal on 21 minutes following another Morris cross. Morris, roaming the right flank, was the main outlet for the Enfield midfield but his impact on the game was seriously affected following a late challenge on 27 minutes.

Ronnie Watson replaced him soon after and Enfield adopted a more direct approach. With Clarke and strike partner Danny Alleyne being well policed, it was the Enfield Town midfield that created the best scoring chances and John Everritt, in particular, was in fine form. Martin St Hilaire went close on 44 minutes, after Woodford failed to clear yet another Watson corner, but the game remained score-less at the interval.

John Ridout opened the second half for Enfield Town with a low, skidding shot that Neal handled well. Watson and Mathew Negus were now causing Woodford problems on the right flank, but it was from a more central position that Enfield eventually took the lead. Ridout fed Alleyne with a fine pass that took him into the box where he was unceremoniously fouled - Snowden converting the resultant penalty on 51 minutes.

Woodford now enjoyed their best spell of the game as they moved forward in search of an equaliser, but Enfield Town stood firm and restricted them to few scoring opportunities. Clarke had the ball in the net on 59 minutes, but had strayed into an offside position before dealing with Everritt's pass. Enfield Town clinched the game on 72 minutes with a goal from a most unlikely source - Mathew Negus skipping past a challenge before curling a shot into the top corner of the net with the outside of his right boot. It was a delightful goal to observe and knocked the spirit out of the home side.

Clarke made it three-nil on 77 minutes, taking on the home defence single handed before despatching a clinical low drive beyond the diving Neal from an acute angle. The remainder of the game was punctuated by several scuffles as tempers became frayed but, for Enfield Town, it was a welcome return to winning ways in the league and the three points were just reward for their considerable efforts.

Enfield Town; A Hall, Negus, Henderson, Snowden, G Hall, St Hilaire, Morris (Watson 29), Ridout (Antoine 79), Clarke, Everritt, Alleyne (Riley 67)

---

Stony Stratford action

---

(Cherry Red Books Cup Quarter Final) 19th January 2002

Stony Stratford Town (1) 1, 1 Sloley 15
Enfield Town (0) 1, 3 Hall (G) 85; Clarke 103; Alleyne 117
AET

Match Report by Peter Coath, Enfield Town FC Press Officer

Enfield Town won through to their second cup semi-final of the season courtesy of a determined performance at Stony Stratford this afternoon. Trailing to a 15th minute goal, the Essex Senior League team rolled up their sleeves and battled hard, eventually drawing level on 85 minutes and going on to win the game in extra-time.

Enfield Town were without the influential Jamie Morris, ruled out with flu, but still carved out several useful chances in the first half. Danny Alleyne twice had shots blocked before the home team grabbed the lead, Paul Sloley forcing his way through the middle past Graeme Hall to drive a fierce shot over the head of Andy Hall and in off the bar. Enfield Town responded well, and from a corner kick on 25 minutes Graeme Hall powered a header over the bar with the home defence flat-footed. Stony Stratford had a chance to increase their lead on 27 minutes when Reid Watson went on a solo run before sending a shot wide of the goal.

Enfield Town replaced John Everritt with Ronnie Watson at the interval and, with the wind behind them and playing down the slope, began to dominate. Danny Clarke went close on 52 minutes while a Mickey Henderson free-kick on 56 minutes was scrambled clear. A Negus corner on 64 minutes was only partially cleared with Stuart Snowden heading narrowly over after the ball was returned back into the danger zone.

Ronnie Watson found himself in a good position on 67 minutes but his shot was cleared off the line, while Danny Clarke had a good opportunity three minutes later, only to lose out to the keeper as he burst through. Danny Alleyne had a good penalty appeal turned down on 83 minutes after attempting to flick the ball past his marker only for the ball to bounce clear off an outstretched arm. Enfield Town levelled two minutes later though, when Graeme Hall timed his run to perfection to meet a Matt Negus corner and score with a firm header.

The visiting supporters were convinced that Danny Clarke had scored in the 3rd minute of extra-time, when his powerful shot hit the underside of the bar and appeared to have crossed the line before keeper Major claimed it. Neither the Referee or his Assistant saw it that way though, but ten minutes later Clarke did put the ET's in front with a typical solo goal, running on to a through ball down the left flank and powering his way into the box before slipping the ball underneath the advancing keeper.

(Friendly) 23rd January 2002

RAF FA (0) 1 81
Enfield Town (0) 2 St Hilaire 63; Watson 66

Match Report by Peter Coath, Enfield Town FC Press Officer

On a fine pitch, in a splendid stadium, the players of Enfield Town were a credit to their club tonight as they took control of the game against a strong RAF XI. Fielding players from such diverse backgrounds as Borehamwood and Kilmarnock Reserves, the Air Force looked a coherent unit throughout and both teams were certainly evenly matched until the interval. A glut of substitutions early in the second half disrupted the Air Force though, and with Town sticking largely to their starting line-up, the cracks started to appear. Martin St Hilaire opened the scoring on 63 minutes, being given time to collect a cross from Town's newcomer Anayo Etumnun and drill a low shot beyond the keepers reach. Ronnie Watson double the advantage three minutes later with a well-flighted shot from inside the edge of the box after Danny Alleyne had pierced the Air Force defence. The deficit was reduced on 81 minutes when the Town defence were slow to react to a curling cross that was driven home expertly by the Air Force's number seven. The big moment in the game came on 83 minutes when Martin St Hilaire came off to be replaced by his 15 year old son Keke.

For Town this game was of great value as it not only allowed manager Jim Chandler to try out various new formations, but it also gave Bradley Brotherton a chance to get some match experience under his belt as he returns from suspension. For the RAF, the game was just as important as they face the Army on March 13th, and inter-services pride will certainly be at stake. After the game the President of the RAF FA made a short speech, thanking the Enfield Town supporters for creating such a good atmosphere, and acknowledged Town's keeper Andy Hall as the Man of the Match.

Enfield Town: A Hall, Watson, Henderson, G Hall, Brotherton, Morgan (Antoine 45 mins), Poole (Etumnun 45 mins), Ridout (Morgan 83 mins), M St Hilaire (K St Hilaire 83 mins), Snowden, Alleyne.

(Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy) 26th January 2002

Enfield Town (0)
Leyton (2) Williams 4; Curley 40
Match abandoned at half time

Match Report by Peter Coath, Enfield Town FC Press Officer, to follow

After a brave attempt to stage this game, Enfield Town had to admit defeat after Referee Axcell decided that enough was enough. Deep puddles had formed on the pitch overnight and despite an army of supporters working overtime the persistent downpour thwarted all attempts to remove them.

The game kicked off at 12-noon with wind and driving rain howling across the Goldsdown Road fields. Leyton took full advantage of the wind behind them and after Town's Stuart Snowden got bogged down on the edge of his own box Leyton's Emmanuel Williams swept the ball past Andy Hall to open the scoring on 4 minutes. After that we were treated to an entertaining, albeit comical, contest as grown men splashed about in puddles in a vague attempt to move the ball forward.

Leyton's second goal came late in the half, Scott Curley bundling the ball home from a corner-kick. In between, we had seen Rudi Hall make his Enfield Town debut, and receive a booking along with Andy Hall, Ronnie Watson and Leyton's Embury, Cordello and Curley.

The Referee and his assistants made the decision to stop the game as both teams left the pitch at half-time, which in fairness was the right choice to make. A crowd of 218 braved the elements, hopefully the weather will have improved before an attempt is made to re-stage the game.

Enfield Town; A Hall, Allen, Negus, G Hall, Brotherton, Snowden, Watson, Ridout, St Hilaire, R Hall, Alleyne. Subs; Morris, Antoine, Etumnun.