(Essex Senior League) 1st September 2001

Eton Manor (1) 1 36
Enfield Town (2) 4 Clarke 3, 58, 68; Morris 42

Match Report by Peter Coath, Enfield Town FC Press Officer.

A Danny Clarke hat-trick saw Enfield Town climb to the top of the table this afternoon in a hard fought and often scrappy encounter at Wadham Lodge. Clarke set the ball rolling in only the second minute, rolling the ball easily past the 'keeper in a one-on-one situation. Town, fluent and incisive in the first twenty minutes, could easily have increased their lead but having reached the box the finish touch was lacking. Eton Manor forced their way back into the game in the thirty-seventh minute when Town failed to clear their lines, leaving two Manor forwards queuing up to score. A delightful solo goal by Jamie Morris put Town back in front two minutes before the interval, the new acquisition jinking his way past three or four flailing tackles before drilling home a low, crisp shot form the edge of the box, and Lee Smart was called upon to make a timely interception from a deagerous Manor cross moments before the break

The second half was disjointed and lacking in incident until the fifty-fifth minute when Ronnie Watson chipped over an accurate cross leaving Danny Clarke the simple task of bundling the ball home from only two yards. The win was sealed three minutes later when Eton Manor squandered the opportunity to reduce the deficit by missing from the penalty spot. Within five minutes Clarke had completed his hat-trick, tapping home a Morris cross from six yards out. So three wins out of three for the newly-formed Enfield Town, and an early rise to the top of the Foresters Essex Senior League table.

Enfield Town: Hall, Smart, Negus, Snowden, Brotherton (capt), Watson, Morris, Telfer, Clarke, Riley, Alleyne. Subs Quinn (for Telfer 61), Gundogdu (for Riley 61),Idaewor (for Clarke 66).

(League Cup; Group A) 3rd September 2001

Eton Manor (1) 1 2
Enfield Town (4) 7 Idaewor 5, 9; Snowden 33 (pen) ; Quinn 40; Clarke 46; Gundogdu 71; Andrews 81

Match Report by Peter Coath, Enfield Town FC Press Officer.

Enfield Town continued their 100% record in competitive matches tonight with an emphatic victory over a hard-working Eton Manor side. Despite this game coming only two days after the teams met in a league fixture it certainly wasn't a case of familiarity breeding contempt, indeed Eton Manor swept into the lead with only two minutes on the clock after the Town defence dithered over clearing a corner kick.

Undeterred, Ambrose Idaewor hit the equaliser three minutes later with a superb solo effort, chesting down a high pass and outpacing his marker to shoot beyond the 'keeper, and then sweeping in a cracking shot in the ninth minute to give Town the lead. The visitors suffered a minor scare approaching the half-hour mark when Eton Manor were awarded a penalty for handball by Quinn - Brotherton being subsequently booked for dissent - but debut 'keeper Adam Hart blocked the spot-kick and remained alert enough to smother the follow-up effort.

The home team were made to pay for the penalty miss only three minutes later when Stuart Snowden converted a controversial penalty at the other end - the Referee and assistant both agreeing that the shirt-pulling that halted a weaving run from Nicky Morgan had taken place inside the penalty area. In the fortieth minute Brad Quinn netted Town's fourth with a simple far-post header, easily sneaking in behind his marker following a deep free-kick.

Town manager Jim Chandler made two substitutions soon after, Idaewor (hamstring) and Watson (dead leg) being replaced by Jamie Andrews and Danny Clarke, and both substitutes were on the scoresheet in the second half as the Eton Manor defence started to crumble. Clarke scored Town's fifth in the forty-sixth minute and could so easily have added more before Volkan Gundogdu scored what may be a rare 'right-footed' goal in the seventy-first minute, following up his own blocked shot with a clinical strike from the edge of the area.

Jamie Andrews made it seven in the eighty-first minute with a rather comical goal, deflecting the ball into the net after the Eton Manor 'keeper had produced an excellent save from Brotherton's close-range effort.

Tonight's result goes into the record books as Enfield Town's biggest ever win, but on this showing it won't hold that honour for long.

Enfield Town; Hart, Negus, Gundogdu, Snowden, Brotherton, Morgan, Watson, Telfer, Idaewor, Quinn, Alleyne. Subs; Andrews (for Idaewor 40 mins), Clarke (for Watson 41 mins), Riley (for Alleyne 54 mins). Booked; Brotherton, Watson, Negus.

Negus shoots for goal at Southend Manor

(Essex Senior League) 8th September 2001

Southend Manor (2) 2 Barnett 27, 32
Enfield Town (0) 2 Clarke 65; Ridout 70

Match Report by Peter Coath, Enfield Town FC Press Officer.

Enfield Town came away from Southend today with their unbeaten record intact, but a few lessons learned, after a thrilling come-from-behind draw. On an uneven pitch, and with a strong wind in their favour, the home team powered into a two goal lead by half-time with two opportunist strikes from leading scorer Ben Barnett.

Although having the greater share of possession Town failed to capitalise on the few chances that they created and fell behind in the 27th minute when Barnett latched on to a long, hopeful punt upfield to slam in an accurate shot past a bemused Andy Hall. 5 minutes later Barnett repeated the feat, finishing off a flowing counter-attack after a wayward Lee Smart pass had been intercepted in the middle of the park.

Town started the second-half with greater determination and after Kevin Riley had replaced Volkan Gundogdu in the 50th minute they began to take control. It wasn't all one-way traffic though, for Hall had to produce an excellent save to deny Barnett his hat-trick in the 52nd minute. Danny Clarke began to give his marker a torrid time now and scored the breakthrough goal on 65 minutes, heading home a cross from Jamie Morris at the far post after John Ridout had split the defence with a long cross-field pass. 5 minutes later Ridout himself grabbed the equaliser with a thunderbolt shot from the edge of the area following a quickly-taken free kick.

Danny Alleyne had the ball in the net on 77 minutes but the whistle had already been blown for offside. The game was up for grabs in the last 10 minutes, with Ben Coleman having a couple of chances for the home team and both Ridout and Mathew Negus going close for Town at the other end. The final score was a fair one but only time will tell whether Town can consider it to be one point gained or two points lost.

Enfield Town ; Hall, Smart, Gundogdu, Snowden, Brotherton (Capt), Negus, Morris, Ridout, Clarke, Watson, Alleyne. Subs ; Riley (for Gundogdu 50 mins), Andrews, Morgan. Booked; Clarke (30), Watson (35).

(Essex Senior League) 12th September 2001

Enfield Town (2) 3 Alleyne 12; Snowden 31 (pen); Clarke 90
Leyton (0) 1 Wood 52

Match Report by Peter Coath, Enfield Town FC Press Officer.

516 people turned up on a windy night to see the first ever Enfield Town competitive home game and they went home satisfied with what they saw. Unbeaten on their travels so far this season, the club were understandably anxious about their first home fixture. Fortunately the Town players were relaxed and focussed.

The opening exchanges saw both sides win corners but Town's speedy front line began to test the visitors defence. Danny Alleyne got the all-important breakthrough goal on 12 minutes, being given time to turn on the edge of the penalty area and dispatch a low drive past Steve Wallduck in the Leyton goal. The visitors pressed for an equaliser but were aware of the dangers of being caught on the break. Their fears were justified on 31 minutes when a weaving Jamie Morris run was halted by a scything tackle inside the penalty area for a penalty. Stuart Snowden stepped up to comfortably convert his third spot-kick of the season.

On 37 minutes Jeff Wood nearly pulled one back for Leyton when his header hit the post following a corner but Town broke quickly and substitute Jamie Andrews, on for Ronnie Watson who had limped off on 32 minutes, just failed to meet another telling cross from Morris. The wind subsided at half time, being replaced by drizzle, and Leyton came back into the game on 52 minutes when Jeff Wood was on hand to slam a loose ball into the net after Town had failed to deal with a corner.

The game was altered completely on 65 minutes when Wallduck was adjudged to have handled the ball outside his area and Referee Bull, faultless throughout, stuck firmly to the rules by showing him the red card. Substitute Hughes took over between the posts was wasn't immediately troubled. Indeed, a Leyton corner kick on 74 minutes caused consternation when it rebounded from the crossbar with the Town defence flat-footed. Hughes eventually earned his keep on 78 minutes, pulling off a fine save from Kevin Riley's low drive, but Leyton continued to press forward and the one-man shortage was certainly not noticeable. It was a moment of class from injury time substitute Ricky Antoine that finally settled matters, when his pin-point cross left Town's top-scorer Danny Clarke with a simple header into an unguarded net.

So Enfield Town's first ever competitive home game was deemed a success, both on the field and off, but perhaps just as importantly they continued their charge at the top of the league table and moved a further 3 points clear of the chasing pack.

Enfield Town: Hall, Smart, Negus, Snowden, Brotherton, Watson, Morris, Telfer, Clarke, Riley, Alleyne. Subs; Andrews (for Watson 32 mins), Quinn (for Telfer 71), Antoine (for Riley 90). Booked: Andrews (30)

Barkingside action (pic by Derek Robinson)

(Essex Senior League) 15th September 2001

Barkingside (0) 1 Taylor 64
Enfield Town (2) 4 Clarke 2, 72; Riley 37; Alleyne 90

Match Report by Peter Coath, Enfield Town FC Press Officer.

Enfield Town continued their early-season winning streak with a comfortable win at Oakside stadium this afternoon. On a rather suspect playing surface Town got into their stride early with Danny Clarke latching on to a long clearance from the back to lob the 'keeper for the opening goal after only 2 minutes. Town kept pressing their opponents and both Jamie Morris and Mathew Negus whipped in decent crosses but the finish touch was not applied. Clarke, and strike partner Danny Alleyne, both went close around the half-hour mark but it wasn't long before the lead was increased.

Negus had a long shot tipped over for a corner, from which Barkingside failed to clear their lines. Kevin Riley stabbed hopefully at the ball and although the 'keeper clawed it away from on the line, Mark Telfer was on hand to slam it into the back of the net - - the Referee later confirmed however that Riley's shot had crossed the line. Ricky Antoine hit a free-kick over the bar on 41 minutes and then rather comically won a corner after appearing to handle a high cross.

Andy Hall, in the Town goal, had a scare immediately after the break with Barkingside hitting the crossbar following a corner on 49 minutes, but played switched straight to the other end and both Antoine and Alleyne twice went close. Barkingside pulled a goal back on 64 minutes when Kris Taylor out-jumped the Town defence at the far post to head home a free-kick from the left.

On 72 minutes Clarke grabbed his second to restore the two goal lead, profiting from a fine pass into the box from Alleyne. The game really opened up now and both teams had chances to add to the score-line. Bradley Brotherton had a double scoring opportunity on 82 minutes following a short corner, and Alleyne took on the Barkingside defence on his own, only to see his delicate chip clear the crossbar.

At the other end Hall made a superb save to deny Ricki Macken. Alleyne completed the scoring on 90 minutes with a crisp volley following a swift interchange of passes with Clarke. There was still time for Hall to show his class with a fine save to deny Paul Carr in injury time. Enfield Town have now played 9 competitive games since being formed and have yet to be beaten, winning 5 of their 6 league outings to date.

ENFIELD TOWN: Hall, Smart, Negus, Snowden, Brotherton (capt), Antoine, Morris, Telfer, Clarke, Riley, Alleyne. Subs; Andrews (for Antoine 74 mins), Morgan (for Negus 83), Gundogdu (for Smart 53). Booked; Antoine (23), Telfer (58).

(League Cup; Group A) 19th September 2001

Enfield Town (0) 2 Morris 68 (pen); Riley 89
Sawbridgeworth Town (1) 2 24; 81

Match Report by Peter Coath, Enfield Town FC Press Officer.

Enfield Town carried out an escape act tonight, grabbing a draw with a last minute goal despite being down to ten men. The result did little justice to the effort put in by Sawbridgeworth but it was a credit to the Enfield Town players that they should grab a draw in such dramatic fashion.

Both teams started the game with an weakened line-up. For Enfield Town, manager Jim Chandler had Watson injured, Alleyene suspended, Negus unavailable and Smart rested. Sawbridgeworth manager Don Watters had trouble getting a team together too, but his team started brightly enough and restricted the home side to two half-chances before grabbing themselves a deserved lead on 24 minutes. They almost extended their lead on 43 minutes when Andy Hall was beaten by a high, swirling free-kick but the Referee's assistant had been flagging for offside from the moment the kick was taken.

The second half was rather more incident packed and both sides had opportunities to score. The home side drew level on 68 minutes when Jamie Morris converted a penalty, given after Mark Watters had almost removed Ricky Antoine's head with a dangerously high kick. Sawbridgeworth had Mark Culverhouse booked on 78 minutes after a scything tackle on Mark Telfer. Three minutes later though the visitors had regained the lead when the home defence failed to spot the danger lurking at the far post and Sawbridgeworth's substitute rounded his marker, picked his spot and placed an accurate drive beyond Hall's reach.

There was still more drama to follow though, when Enfield Town captain Bradley Brotherton fouled Peter Lawrence and received the red card from Referee Burey - this being the first dismissal in the club's history. Undeterred, the home side pressed on and a weaving run from Jamie Morris on 89 minutes set up Kevin Riley for a simple, but well taken goal - Riley emphatically slotting the ball under the 'keeper to complete a 'get out of jail' performance from the home team. The attendance was 158.

Enfield Town: Hall, Allen, Gundogdu, Snowden, Brotherton, Morgan, Morris, Ridout, Clarke, Telfer, Idaewor. Subs Andrews (for Idaewor 45), Antoine (for Snowden 64), Riley (for Morgan 58). Sent-off, Brotherton 86 mins (violent conduct)

(Essex Senior League) 22nd September 2001

Enfield Town (2) 2 Clarke 12, 39
Leyton (0) 1 Emmanuel 90

Match Report by Peter Coath, Enfield Town FC Press Officer.

Two goals from Danny Clarke were enough to give Enfield Town maximum points this afternoon, in front of a big crowd at Goldsdown Road. Clarke caused Ilford problems right from the start, and on 12 minutes he rose unchallenged to head a Mathew Negus cross beyond the reach of 'keeper Paul Daley.

Ilford fought their way back into the game, through the midfield work of Darren Pitcher, and went close with headers from CJ Emmanuel and Brad Jones. 'Town regained the initiative around the half-hour mark though and the pressure paid off on 39 minutes when Clarke scored his second, lifting a shot over Daley after a weaving run from Jamie Morris had opened up the defence.

Clarke had a further two goals dissallowed in the second-half as Negus and Morris continued to cause problems for the visitors. Ilford had Jones carried off on 65 minutes, after a collision with Bradley Brotherton, and it was during the subsequent injury time at the end of the game that CJ Emmanuel scored the consolation goal from the penalty spot. Enfield Town have now gone seven games undefeated in the league and are nine points clear of the second-placed team. Today's attendance was 373.

Enfield Town: Hall, Smart, Negus, Snowden, Brotherton, Antoine, Morris, Snowsill, Clarke, Telfer, Riley. Subs; Andrews (for Telfer 71 mins), Gundogdu, Allen (for Smart 52 mins). Booked; Morris (69 mins); Brotherton (90 mins)

Bradley Brotherton puts Enfield Town 5-2 up (pic Derek Robinson)

(Essex Senior League) 29th September 2001

Sawbridgeworth Town (1) 3 Mundukia 14, Wheeler 54, 87
Enfield Town (4) 6 Riley 19, 28, 34; Snowden 41; Brotherton 65; Clarke 90

Match Report by Peter Coath, Enfield Town FC Press Officer.

There was some good entertainment served up for the crowd at a rain-soaked Crofter's End this afternoon as Enfield Town continued their winning streak with a well-deserved win. Man of the match Kevin Riley made the all important first half contribution, bagging three goals in a fifteen minute spell after the home side had taken the lead. Okay Manduka opened the scoring on 14 minutes with a towering far post header and Sawbridgeworth had a chance to double the advantage minutes later but Andy Hall saved a Steve Robins shot.

The visitors equalised on 19 minutes when Sawbridgeworth failed to clear the danger after a John Ridout header had hit the foot of the post - Riley blocking an attempted clearance on the goal-line and the ball rebounding into the net. On 28 minutes Riley made it 2-1, sliding a shot past Tillotson and into the unguarded net after Ridout had latched on to a long through ball from Allen. Riley completed his treble on 34 minutes, converting a driven cross from Clarke. On 41 minutes Enfield Town went further ahead when defender Stuart Snowden was on hand to tap the ball past Tillotson after a Ridout shot had rebounded off the crossbar.

Christian Wheeler reduced the deficit early in the second-half, outpacing the visitors defence to drill a low shot past Hall, and Sawbridgeworth continued to press forward impressively. Bradley Brotherton restored the visitors three-goal advantage on 65 minutes though, thanks to slack marking by the home defence. Substitute Nicky Morgan's precision free-kick found Brotherton free and unmarked in the six-yard box, the Enfield Town captain slamming the ball into the net for his first goal of the season.

Sawbridgeworth pulled back a third goal on 87 minutes, but it was thanks to the intervention of the Referee's assistant who spotted that a Robins effort had actually crossed the line. Deep into stoppage time Danny Clarke scored the visitors sixth when he rounded Tillotson and walked the ball rather casually into the empty net.

Enfield Town manager Jim Chandler was more than happy with the way things turned out today after being short of three regulars and having to field two flu-sufferers in his starting eleven. John Ridout turned in yet another solid performance while three-goal Kevin Riley earned further praise with his second-half showing in midfield. Chandler even included the relatively untried Bradley Poole on the bench and the youngster, grandson of Enfield FC legend the late Dave Jones, came on with fifteen minutes remaining to make his debut.

ENFIELD TOWN: Hall, Allen, Gundogdu, Snowden, Brotherton, Antoine, Morris, Ridout, Clarke, Telfer, Riley. Subs; Andrews (for Allen 45 mins), Morgan (for Telfer 63 mins), Poole (for Antoine 75 mins). Booked; Morris (88 mins).