(Essex Senior League) 3rd November 2001

Enfield Town (4) 6 Morris 23, 37, 67; Clarke 26, 39; Ridout 73
Brentwood (0) 0

Match Report by Peter Coath, Enfield Town FC Press Officer

Another hat-trick saw Town maintain their lead at the top of the table today as they defeated last season's champions Brentwood. The three-goal hero on this particular occasion was Jamie Morris and he opened the scoring on 23 minutes with a long cross from the right that floated over the head of Kriehn in the visitors goal.

The visitors had more than matched Town up until then with a well disciplined performance, but they fell further behind within three minutes when top-scorer Danny Clarke intercepted a loose pass and raced through to slip the ball under the keeper. Clarke went close a minute later, following a threaded pass from Danny Alleyne, and Ricky Antoine then shot narrowly wide on the half-hour mark.

Brentwood rallied at this point and had a good chance to pull a goal back from a free kick on the edge of the box. Town keeper Andy Hall was well positioned though and made a comfortable save. Morris scored his second goal on 37 minutes, once again with a bit of luck on his side, when his free kick from the left eluded Kriehn and found its way into the net through a crowd of players at the far post. Clarke rubbed salt into the wounds with his second goal two minutes later, accelerating past the visitors defence and easily beating Kriehn with a low shot.

The second half got off to a slow start but Town gradually resumed their control of the game and Morris completed his hat-trick on 67 minutes with the goal of the day, outpacing his marker on the right to fire a high shot over the outstretched arms of Kriehn from a tight angle on the edge of the box.

Morris was replaced three minutes later, giving Danny Clarke a chance to play winger for a while. Clarke's low driven crosses caused consternation in the visitors defence and from one, following a short corner on 73 minutes, John Ridout was on hand to grab the sixth goal after Kriehn had spilled the cross. A crowd of 323 witnessed the action today, with Enfield Town back on track following their midweek defeat.

Enfield Town; Hall, Allen, Negus, Quinn, Brotherton, Antoine (Everritt 53), Morris (Idaewor 70), Ridout, Clarke, Riley (Keegan 53), Alleyne

(Middlesex Senior Cup 1st Round) 3rd November 2001

Harefield United (0) 0
Enfield Town (1) 2 Morris 32; Morgan 75

Match Report by Peter Coath, Enfield Town FC Press Officer

The oldest club in Middlesex were eliminated from the County Cup tonight by the youngest, as Enfield Town marked their first appearance in this competition with a well deserved win. Harefield, riding high in the Spartan South Midlands League Division One, fielded a youthful side and they were given an early taste of what was to come when Danny Alleyne fired over within the first minute. Danny Clarke was causing problems for the home side too, constantly getting behind the back four with well timed runs. Harefield defended deeply, almost inviting Town to attack, but they had a few ideas of their own up front and Andy Hall needed to remain alert all evening.

The breakthrough goal came on 32 minutes in bizarre circumstances when a miss-hit Jamie Morris corner kick skidded across the turf and sneaked in at the near post, courtesy of defender Dean Clarke who appeared to step out of the way. Harefield toughened up after that and within two minutes Bradley Brotherton was being booked for his part in a scuffle, along with the Hares Daryl Craft. Ricky Antoine then went into Referee Skull's notebook for a tackle from behind on Gary Collinson. Andy Hall was called into action seconds later, diving at the feet of Barry Dunn to snuff out the danger.

Clarke and Alleyne continued to make inroads throughout the second half but it was Andy Hall who figured in the first notable incident, pulling off a magnificent point blank save to deny the Hares an equaliser through Craft. Substitute Nicky Morgan marked his appearance on the pitch with a shot over the bar from his first touch of the ball, and the diminutive winger doubled Town's advantage on 75 minutes firing a low shot beyond the reach of Lee Langley in the Hares goal.

Manager Jim Chandler gave substitutes Ambrose Idaewor and Bradley Poole a late chance to impress and the pair almost combined to create a chance on 83 minutes, only to be denied by a scrambling home defence. The game finished as it started, with Town on the attack but off target as Alleyne fired high and wide. Chandler was rather downbeat about the performance after the game, but Enfield Town now progress to the second round and a trip to Ruislip Manor of the Spartan South Midland Premier Division.

Enfield Town; Hall, Allen, Larkin, Quinn, Brotherton, Antoine (Poole 75), Morris (Idaewor 86), Keegan (Morgan 63), Clarke, Riley, Alleyne

(Cherry Red Books Trophy 2nd Round) 10th November 2001

Netherne Village (1) 1 Petty 3
Enfield Town (0) 2 Alleyne 48; Cecil OG 50

Match Report by Peter Coath, Enfield Town FC Press Officer

Tournament favourites Enfield Town squeezed past a spirited Netherne Village side by a slender margin this afternoon, having to come from behind after being a goal down after only 3 minutes. With Town players failing to adjust to the uneven pitch and long grass, Andrew Petty strode through the middle, collected a long pass in his stride, and hit a crisp shot beyond Andy Hall to open the scoring.

Danny Clarke was soon in his stride, at times seeming to take on the home defence single handed, but the closest Town came to scoring was on 14 minutes when Bradley Brotherton side footed a shot beyond the post from a Negus free kick. Danny Alleyne shot narrowly wide on 18 minutes, when Brotherton headed a Morris free-kick back across the goal, but Netherne had their chances too and with Scott Larkin slipping and going down injured Mark Cecil took his chance to fire in a long shot that Hall dealt with comfortably.

Netherne went close again on the half-hour mark but a long, sweeping cross from the left eluded everybody when it only needed the faintest of touches. Netherne's Mark Dalrymple was booked on 33 minutes for a heavy tackle on Larkin, as the Referee finally decided to act before things got out of hand. Town finished the first half on top, with home keeper Ray Merry thankful that both Morris and Negus failed to hit the target when presented with scoring opportunities.

Town levelled the scores on 48 minutes through Alleyne, after Clarke had sneaked in behind the defence from a short corner - his cut-back being drilled into the net by Alleyne from inside the edge of the box. Town took the lead two minutes later when Mark Cecil headed into his own net following yet another Morris cross from the right. Town were in complete control now and Brad Quinn and John Everitt both went close.

Nicky Morgan replaced the battered Scott Larkin on 65 minutes but Netherne were fighting their way back into the game now and Hall made a good save to deny them from a free-kick on 75 minutes. Enfield Town had two good opportunities to increase their lead with ten minutes to go, but Quinn, Everritt and Kevin Riley were all denied by some desperate tackling from the home defence.

Town slowed the game down after that, being content to maintain possession wherever possible, and Netherne's frustration began to show with Lee Sidwell being booked for a ridiculous challenge on Morris, and then Kevin Pitfield picking Danny Alleyne up and throwing him out of the way five minutes into injury time. The Referee brought proceedings to a close three minutes later, leaving Town relieved to have scrapped through and Netherne understandably deflated after having been in front for half of the game.

Enfield Town; Hall, Allen, Larkin (Morgan 65), Quinn, Brotherton, Negus, Morris, Everritt, Clarke (Antoine 81), Riley, Alleyne. Sub unused, Keegan.

Leyton action (pic by Derek Robinson)

(Essex Senior League) 17th November 2001

Leyton (1) 1 Riley 19
Enfield Town (0) 0

Match Report by Peter Coath, Enfield Town FC Press Officer

Leyton leap-frogged Town to go top of the league today, after a tense meeting between the two teams ended in a single goal victory for the home side. Leyton made the breakthrough in fortunate circumstances on 19 minutes, when Dave Riley was on hand to tap home the loose ball after Andy Hall had pulled off a fine save from a long range shot. Town hit back strongly, with Brad Brotherton having a shot hacked clear off the goal line following a corner on 37 minutes.

It was panic stations in the Leyton defence five minutes later, when Harrison miss-kicked a Stuart Snowden long throw over his own crossbar for yet another corner. Leyton had three players booked, to Town's one, in the first half as they resorted to some cynical tactics to try and take the pace out of the game. Devor and Town's Snowden were booked on 28 minutes after the Town defender showed his obvious displeasure at being kicked off the ball by the Leyton player. Harrison became the second Leyton player booked on 35 minutes for a rather reckless challenge, with Emery getting a yellow card in first half stoppage time for an outrageous foul on Jamie Morris.

Town took over in the second half, with Danny Clarke and Danny Alleyne using their pace to get in behind Leyton's pedestrian back four. Brad Brotherton pressed forward at every opportunity and only a combination of desperate defending and competent goalkeeping from Jamie Hussey kept the Town captain at bay. The constant pressure appeared to be working, as Leyton became ragged at the back. Danny Clarke outpaced the home defence on 80 minutes, only for Hussey to save his shot. From the resultant corner Leyton had to thank a second goal-line clearance.

The game threatened to boil over three minutes later when Leyton's Wood was booked, followed by Town's Clarke. Deep into stoppage time Alleyne evaded his marker to get in a powerful shot from the edge of the box, Hussey once again pulling off a fine save.

It was a good performance from Town under the circumstances, with Danny Clarke being loudly barracked every time he touched the ball, and the visiting supporters being rather badly treated by the home stewards and officials. Why Leyton decided to segregate the crowd defies logic, and the behaviour of their official who used unnecessary force to remove people from behind the goal at half time was disgraceful to say the least - many of the Town supporters witnessed him head-butt a Town fan, while the stewards looked on impassively. We also witnessed the bizare scene of Leyton's goalkeeper being 'protected' by six stewards on the empty terrace behind him during the second half today, although it promises to be a different story in two weeks time when Leyton travel to face Town at Brimsdown in the Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy.

Enfield Town; Hall, Allen, Gundogdu, Snowden, Brotherton, Everritt (Riley 60), Morris (Quinn 71), Snowsill, Clarke, Ridout, Alleyne. Sub (unused) Antoine.

(Essex Senior League) 24th November 2001

Enfield Town (1) 2 Alleyne 31; Snowden (pen) 72
Eton Manor (0) 1 Weekly 70

Match Report by Peter Coath, Enfield Town FC Press Officer

Enfield Town swept back to the top of the table today with a well deserved, yet hard earned win over struggling Eton Manor. Visiting goalkeeper Ryce Tom knew he was in for a busy afternoon and he fully deserved the applause of the home supporters at the final whistle after putting in a superb display.

It took a moment of sheer class from Town's twin strike force of Danny Clarke and Danny Alleyne to finally beat him on 31 minutes, the two exchanging passes on the edge of the box to leave Alleyne free to fire home the opening goal. Tom also pulled off a stunning double save to deny the impressive John Everitt and Clarke, with Alleyne, Matt Negus and John Ridout also going close.

Jamie Morris was causing the visitors defence problems too, with unlimited freedom on the right flank in which to operate, and Alleyne hit a post with a rasping drive on 56 minutes following a good pass from Morris. For all their possession though, the home side failed to build on this breakthrough and it was typical of their luck when Eton Manor grabbed an equaliser on 71 minutes, Nick Weekly heading home from a corner kick.

Town regained the lead almost immediately in rather confusing circumstances after Referee Forsythe stopped play following a Town corner from which Ridout had seen his header dramatically saved by Tom. With the home crowd expecting an Eton Manor free kick they, and Eton Manor themselves, were quite surprised when they realised that a penalty had been given. It was certainly a wacky decision, to say the least, but Stuart Snowden took full advantage to convert the penalty kick and regain the lead on 73 minutes. Eton Manor's subsequent attempts to get back into the game were easily repulsed by the Town defence, while Tom had to remain alert as Everitt and Clarke threatened time and time again.

The win sees Enfield Town regain their place at the top of the table from Leyton, who were involved in another competition today, but the narrow scoreline against a team struggling near the foot of the table must be cause for some concern. Ryce Tom had a lot to do with it though, and he left the field to applause from the home supporters in a crowd of 334.

(Essex Senior League) 28th November 2001

Enfield Town (0) 0
Concord Rangers (1) 1 Overton 16

Match Report by Peter Coath, Enfield Town FC Press Officer

Enfield Town's midweek home jinx continued tonight as they produced a disjointed performance against a resolute Concord side. The visitors made their intentions clear as early as the third minute, forcing a save from Hall, but Town had a half chance soon after when John Ridout seized upon a poor kick from goalkeeper Meade and hit a long shot just wide. John Everitt hooked a shot wide on 9 minutes and Kevin Riley just failed to make contact with a Jamie Morris cross on 13 minutes, before the visitors took the lead. Overton, with time and space in which to operate, swivelled to hook the ball into the net off the post with Andy Hall well beaten.

Town hit back straight away and Meade pulled of his only meaningful save of the first half, diving low to smother a Brad Brotherton shot at the near post. Town's recent signing Micky Henderson went off on 31 minutes, after being hit full in the face by the ball, and Volkan Gundogdu came on to replace him 4 minutes later. Dave Allen replaced John Everitt at half time but Town were slow starters in the second half.

Danny Clarke had a chance on 57 minutes but hit his shot over the bar. Jamie Morris was brought down on the edge of the box on 61 minutes but Meade dealt with his curling free-kick quite comfortably. Stuart Snowden pressed forward two minutes later and brought a fine save from Meade, the Town defender then getting another clear scoring opportunity three minutes later but blasting a shot over the bar from a well worked Morris Corner.

Town were starting to make inroads now, and a Clarke run and low cross on 71 minutes saw Kevin Riley stretch but fail to make sufficient contact. Concord then had their best spell of the game, with Brant and then Heale both seeing shots rebound from the post. The closing stages of the game saw Town press forward in numbers, but apart from being tested by a Dave Allen cross, Meade had little to do other than make a few comfortable saves.

Brad Quinn replaced Gundogdu on 80 minutes and was soon in the thick of the action, being beaten to a dangerous Clarke cross by Meade on 85 minutes and then narrowly failing to reach a Morris corner. Morris himself then went close in stoppage time, hitting a shot straight into the keeper's clutches, with Quinn repeating the feat a minute later. Concord held on comfortably to become the first team to ever complete a league 'double' over Enfield Town, while the home supporters pondered over the fact that the only team they have seen beaten at Goldsdown Road in a midweek fixture so far this season was league leaders Leyton way back in September.

Enfield Town; Hall, Snowsill, Henderson (Gundogdu 35 mins, Quinn 80 mins), Snowden, Brotherton, Everritt (Allen 45 mins), Morris, Ridout, Clarke, Riley, Alleyne.