(Pre-season friendly) 23rd July 2001

Enfield Town (1) 1 Andrews 27
Brimsdown Rovers (0) 1 47

Enfield Town opened doors for business for the first time and in the process, welcomed back lost friends and made many more in this, a entertaining encounter with ground hosts and friends Brimsdown Rovers.

Such was the level of interest in this fixture, the kick off was delayed by fifteen minutes to allow spectators into the ground. The interest as to what kind of a side Jim Chandler would field had kept the message board busy all week. In a mixed squad of new and familiar faces, Danny Clarke was the first to be noticed with a series of lively runs and exchanges in the opposition half. It was to Clarke that Town could be thankful for their very first goal. It was his work down the right in fooling his marker that allowed Andrews a rather easy tap in.

Watson was unfortunate to be denied twice by the woodwork. It was to be the first of four times - twice from both sides - that this was to happen in the match. Clarke should have added to the lead in a one-on-one, but his shot was blocked and in the process and he went to ground in the scramble for the rebound.

Rovers equalised straight from the second-half kick off. Supporters were still digesting the team changes as Martin Blaney beat Andy Hall with some ease. Town came close to regaining the lead from a deep right wing cross to the onrushing Clarke. His header was blocked well over the line for what looked an obvious goal, and Cripps in The Brimsdown goal completed a blocked rebound much to his own satisfaction as he milked the applause and the light-natured call for a goal. Brimsdown offered up chances of their own, with Enfield Town defender Matt Forsdowne, impressive throughout at the back, having to hook clear a dangerous cross with Andy Hall stranded.

The attendance for this, Enfield Town's inaugural match, was a healthy 350 - proof perhaps that the decision to break away from the old club and form a new one was a wise choice after all. It's early days yet, as the old cliché goes, and for Enfield Town FC they don't come any earlier than this - from formation to first game in 31 days being quite a remarkable achievement.

Tonight's historic starting line up was:- 1:-Andy Hall; 2:-Lee Smart; 3:-Mathew Negus; 4:-Matt Fursdonne; 5:-Adam Broad; 6:-Stuart Snowdon; 7:-Jamie Andrews; 8:-Scott Bursey; 9:-Danny Clarke; 10:-Mark Sellar; 11:-Ronnie Watson;

Subs (all used) Dean Tant; Dean Connolly; Nicky Morgan; Travis White; Robbie Stevenson; Ambrose Idaewor.

(Pre-season friendly) 28th July 2001

Enfield Town (0)
Cheshunt (1) 2 Hakim 24; Adams 73

Enfield Town took on Cheshunt in sweltering conditions. So much so that match report notes were cast aside for the cooler delights of an iced lolly from the ice-cream van provided by the EST. Those guys think of everything!

So, far too hot a day to be playing football. The hottest person would have to be Steve Hilton in goal for Cheshunt. His off the field banter with those behind the goal kept many amused for a while with reminders of his performances for a club playing on a foreign field in Hertfordsire. Just to show he had not lost his touch, the fellow dropped a water bottle thrown to him in the first half, but did not get too many opportunities to repeat the feat on the pitch.

Town's best chance came as early as the third minute from a free-kick.

Paul Hakim put the visitors ahead midway through the first half, despite the best efforts of Andy Hall, who got a hand to the ball on its way over the line. The better efforts were going Cheshunt's way and their physical performance today will be seen by Jim Chandler as a taster for what can be expected in the Essex League this season.

Cheshunt wrapped up the points with an unstoppable effort by Glen Adams. The second half of this game saw substitutions galore, with Bradley Brotherton, Ambrose Idaewor, Dean Connelly, Nicky Morgan, Mark Sellar and Adam Broad make appearances.

The starting line up was:- 1:-Andy Hall; 2:-Lee Smart; 3:-Volkan Gundogdu; 4:-Stuart Snowdon; 5:-Matt Fursdonne; 6:-Bradley Brotherton (c); 7:-Jamie Andrews; 8:-Scott Bursey; 9:-Danny Clarke; 10:-Mark Telfer; 11:-Ronnie Watson;

Subs:- (all used) Ambrose Idaewor, Steve Sellar, Nicky Morgan, Sugar Hussain...

(Pre-season friendly) 31st July 2001

Tilbury (1) 1 Reece 26
Enfield Town (0) 0

Enfield Town's strongest performance of the season by all accounts. Up against a strong Tilbury side, Town ran the show for the majority of the half and were mightily unfortunate to go for their half time oranges a solitairy goal behind. Reece, for the visitors had reacted the quickest to a corner, nodding past Andy Hall from close range.

Tilbury posed more of a threat in the second half, with Andy Hall having to react quickly as a Tilbury forward burst through to test the keeper's reactions. Hall managed to block this effort, whilst Morgan could count himself unfortunate to have struck the post at a time when a Town equaliser might have seen the side to go on and clinch their first win.

The starting line up was:- 1:-Andy Hall; 2:-Lee Smart; 3:-Mathew Negus 4:-Matt Fursdonne; 5:-Bradley Brotherton (c); 6:-Stuart Snowdon; 7:-Ronnie Watson; 8:-Mark Telfer; 9:-Danny Clarke; 10:-Mark Sellar; 11:-Kevin Riley

Subs:- Gundogdu, Andrews, Morgan, Bursey, Tant, Ideawor.

(Pre-season friendly) 2nd August 2001

Romford (1) 1 Wilson 4
Enfield Town (1) 3 Morgan 7; Clarke 86, 90

Every game for Enfield Town is 'historic' these days. This one even more so than most. This was the side's first win in a competitive match and it was even more remarkable for the fact that the side went a goal behind in the opening moments of the match.

The first (and probably the biggest) shock of the night for Town supporters was the lack of a bar. The sight of some of the club's serious drinkers partaking in nothing stronger than tea and biscuits as they kept dry in the snack partacabin certainly involved more than a double-check. The second shock came when Romford quickly took the lead through Danny Wilson, who beat Hall low to the keeper's left within four minutes.

Horne was called into action as a challenge with Bursey left the keeper sprawling on the wet turf as the ball was stuck away, only for the goal to be chalked off for pushing. Clarke was soon fouled in the process of screwing the ball wide of the post. From the resulting free-kick, Morgan spotted a gap to aim at and shot low to the Horne's left. The ball skidded off the greasy top and in via the keeper's palms to level the match. All in the first ten minutes.

Enfield Town assumed control of the game from this point onwards, with Snowdon being the next player to test Horne. His speculative volley fell into relieved hands, then Brotherton headed wide from a corner when everyone knew he should have at least got on target. Half time came with Town well in control.

Danny Clarke looked the more likely to open up the Romford defence after the break, he created two half chances with the first blazed wide and the second when he was forced into shooting as the keeper narrowed the angle. The shot trailed harmlessly over the bar.

Connolly was introduced to the game as substitute and within moments he had half stumbled and shinned a loose ball inches wide of the goal, though even he would be hard pushed to explain how. Gundogdu in turn burst through with a couple of fortunate touches as the ball fell invitingly for a volley. Still the winner would not come. Romford's best chance of a winner came from a hopeful corner to the far post, with the ball blasted high, wide and not so handsome over the fencing behind the goal.

Just when it seemed Enfield Town were going to have to be happy with another draw, Danny Clarke ran from deep at the by now ragged Romford defence. He ignored Sellar screaming for a pass, yet the ball fell to the player after Clarke ran into a tackle. Sellar squared the ball back towards Clarke and the player had a relatively simple task of putting the ball past the helpless keeper.

Minutes later it was all over when Clarke, learning from his previous efforts, outpaced the defence who were pushing forward for an equaliser and slotted the ball home to seal a most enjoyable away win.

The starting line up was:- 1:-Andy Hall; 2:-Lee Smart; 3:-Volkan Gundogdu; 4:-Stuart Snowdon; 5:-Bradley Brotherton (c); 6:-Nicky Morgan; 7:-Mathew Negus 8:-Scott Bursey; 9:-Danny Clarke; 10:-Ronnie Watson; 11:-Kevin Riley

Subs:- to follow.

northwood second-half action

(Pre-season friendly) 4th August 2001

Northwood (0) 2 71 (pen); 80
Enfield Town (0) 2 Andrews 58, 78

Following on from Thursday's performance at Romford, a draw away to Ryman Division 1 side Northwood can be viewed as another sign that Enfield Town are coming together on the pitch at just the right time for their first season in the Essex Senior League.

Andy Hall played an absolute blinder. He had an outstanding second half performance in which he pulled off a string of quality saves to deny Northwood's forward line. At least four times he was called upon to dive full-length to keep Enfield Town in the game after they had twice taken the lead through Jamie Andrews' second-half substitute performance. His first goal came as a result of an assist from debut boy John Ridout on the left. Andrews avoided the best intentions of Northwood's defence to skip past three defenders before planting the ball home. The second was a bizarre effort from well outside the penalty area. Northwood's keeper was caught well off his line as Andrews seized on a loose ball and, taking his time, beat the only man covering the goal with an accurate low shot.

Ambrose Idaewor took the place of Danny Clarke in the starting line up. His opening contribution to the game was the cause of his departure. A rushed chance as he burst through in the opening minutes resulted in what appeared to be a pulled muscle of some sort, hence an ice pack and substitution.
Riley for Town was inches wide of an opener as he dived in, missing a chance by inches. In turn he escaped his marker and just failed to provide the perfect centre to Negus. Northwood and their supporters looked bemused at all this possession. Indeed - some of their supporters were making odds at the chance of registering double figures prior to the start. They were limited to sporadic attempts, mostly from set pieces.

The E's continued to look good into the second half, with Negus in particular involved in much of the good work. Morgan demonstrated his prowess from free-kicks again but Northwood spoilt the show by pinching two goals at times when Enfield Town were looking to kill off the match. Firstly, Andy Hall could do nothing but pull down Yaku (I think) in the process of scoring. The converted penalty was the first equaliser and the second being a far post shot which this time Hall had no realistic chance of stopping.

The starting line up was:- 1:-Andy Hall; 2:-Lee Smart; 3:-Mathew Negus; 4:-Stuart Snowdon; 5:-Bradley Brotherton (c); 6:-Nicky Morgan; 7:-Ronnie Watson; 8:-Scott Bursey; 9:-Ambrose Idaewor; 10:-John Ridout; 11:-Kevin Riley

Subs:- Byne; Broad; Sellar; Conti; Andrews

(Pre-season friendly) 7th August 2001

Wealdstone (2) 2 Asombang 21; Walker 37
Enfield Town (2) 2 Tucker OG 18; Clarke 44

For old visitors to Edgware's tiny but perfectly formed White Lion Ground, the absence of the landmark pub on arrival at the ground was a little disconcerting. Whilst most new visitors were also lost after being told to look out for the pub, it was the drinkers union who fared worst. No bar till 7pm? What was going on?

Clarke's coolness and Tucker's OG howler earned Enfield Town a well-deserved draw against a mixture of Wealdstone first-team, squad players and youth.

Enfield Town were soon ahead - though it was from an unexpected scource. Robin Tucker directing a Nicky Morgan centre goalwards for his keeper, but finding to his horror that he had opened the scoring at the wrong end. Wealdstone came right back into the game on the back of a Victor Asombang, who headed home ex E's Shane Chandler's centre at the far post. Snowden cleared from under the crossbar to deny Wealdstone the lead and injured himself in the process. His place was taken by Ricky Antoine.

Wealdstone took the lead after 37 minutes from a right wing corner. Lee Walker converting to the delight of the home supporters. Antoine was then responsible for Town's equaliser after hassling the Stones' defence in the corner and coming out of the exchanges with the ball at his feet. His accurate cross was tucked away by a most gleeful Clarke.

Wealdstone made wholesale changes throughout the second half. The game died a little after the excitement of the first half, though John Ridout's run at a retreating defence deserved better than just a save. Hall was pressed into service just once during this time when he was called upon to make a point-blank save to keep Enfield Town in the game.

The starting line up was:- 1:-Andy Hall; 2:-Lee Smart; 3:-Mathew Negus; 4:-Stuart Snowdon; 5:-Bradley Brotherton (c); 6:-Nicky Morgan; 7:-Ronnie Watson; 8:-John Ridout; 9:-Danny Clarke; 10:-Mark Telfer; 11:-Kevin Riley

(Pre-season friendly) 11th August 2001

Leyton Pennant (1) 1 25
Enfield Town (0) 1 Quinn 88

Bradley Quinn scored an acrobatic equaliser to maintain Enfield Town's sequence of draws against a physical Leyton Pennant side. Certainly not the genteel conduct of the kind that was going on behind the Wadham Lodge social club as the ladies played out a game of bowls to the encouragement of the drinkers watching from above.

For the last of the pre-season friendlies, Enfield Town travelled the short distance to Leyton Pennant. The club's stadium was out of bounds for this game while the pitch was being prepared for the start of the season, so the practice pitch - reasonable surface - was used for the fixture. Played along to the continual buzzing from overhead as trees were trimmed behind one goal, Clarke was the first to be frustrated by Pennant's offside tactics as he was time and again caught out or made his runs too soon. When he did get into a favourable position, both he and Riley got the ball under their feet and the opposition defence cleared their lines before either could react. Pennant moved the ball straight down the other end and their No 10 slotted the ball under Hall in what looked suspiciously like offside. Hall was nearly beaten again by the same player as Pennant broke away again. The resulting shot curling wide to his left into the trees.

Enfield Town looked better in the second half. Almost an own goal in the opening minutes as a hopeful cross from the right was kneed past a stranded keeper for a corner. John Ridout tested the keeper's handling and Riley was presented with the ball at his feet by the opposition keeper. His effort was headed off the line but still the equaliser would not come. Clarke produced a little piece of magic in a solo run after a nutmeg on the halfway line and then set off for goal. With the goal in his sights his luck gave out as he shot just wide.

Hall pulled off a blinding save to deny Pennant a winner in the 68th minute and, when Morgan's fine free kick was saved high to the keeper's left, it seemed as if Town were going into the new season with a loss to their name. Hall again produced an excellent save with the help of the upright to keep the ball out. Then, with minutes remaining on the clock a last hopeful push for the equaliser. Watson's hopeful effort rattled the post and spun upwards towards Quinn. He somehow managed to hook the ball quite acrobatically past the substitute keeper for a well-deserved Town equaliser. Even then there was still time for a winner. Morgan's shot was parried wide deep into injury time and Leyton Pennant escaped the late surge for a 1-1 draw.

The starting line up was:- 1:-Andy Hall; 2:-Lee Smart; 3:-Mathew Negus; 4:-Stuart Snowdon; 5:-Bradley Brotherton (c); 6:-Ricky Antoine 7:-Ronnie Watson; 8:-John Ridout; 9:-Danny Clarke; 10:-Mark Telfer; 11:-Kevin Riley