(Ryman Premier League) 3rd January 1998

Dagenham & Redbridge (0) 0
Enfield (1) 2 Venables 38; McGrath 88

(F.A.Trophy 1st round) 10th January 1998

Enfield (0) 1 Terry (pen) 90
Cheltenham Town (1)1 Watkins 18

Enfield's 1997/ 98 F.A.Trophy campaign looked to be fading fast as this game moved towards injury time. Then Leroy May was seen to be hauled down in the penalty area and up stepped Terry to blast the ball past Book in the Cheltenham goal to set up a replay.
Some kind of common ground was to be had before the game had even started, both sets of fans expressing a dislike for Yeovil Town. Nuff said. To be fair, Neither team looked deserving of a win. Cheltenham had started brightly and taken an early lead when Pape presented the ball straight to Clive Walker from a hasty clearance, and Watkins had the simple task of putting the ball into the back of the net.
Walker, of course, was getting the usual amount of boo-boy attention from behind the goal. I am permitted from revealing the exact nature of the chants, though the player was not helped as his bald head shone like a beacon from the glare of the floodlights, making him instantly recognizable from a distance.
It was a game with precious few chances. Cheltenham Town had hit the bar shortly before scoring and also rattled the woodwork in the second half. Enfield had a Steve Terry shot that fizzed over the bar, and then Leroy May went close with a downward header on the far post. Then came the penalty incident.

Footnote Spare a thought for the Cheltenham supporter who was ejected from Southbury Road for blowing bubbles on the terraces. He was offered the choice of refraining from spreading foamy soap bubbles, declined, and was ceremoniously booted out of the ground!

(Middlesex Senior Cup 2nd round ) 13th January 1998

Enfield (1) 3 Venables 27, Darlington 69, May 84
Hendon (0) 0

A Venables angled drive, a typical poachers goal by Darlington and a sweeping move that included Pape, Morgan and May, before the latter wellied the ball in for the crowning goal. There - that sums it up nicely.

( Ryman Premier League) 17th January 1998

Enfield (1) 2 Venables 8, McGrath 80
Oxford City (0) 0

These match reports are betting sparser by the game! True, the results have improved of late, but the performances have been lacking in terms of - entertainment? - goal action? Enfield's first came through a handy little piece of fortune as Torres, in goal for Oxford, was unable to cut out an Enfield cross from the left. The ball clipped the crossbar and came down straight into the path of Dave Venables, who somehow managed to convert - though he probably wished to find a less painful part of the body next time...
McGrath somehow managed to add a second towards the end. Enfield's support went home hoping for some good fortune at Cheltenham Town on Thursday; Oxford City's licked their wounds and hoped to remain in touch with the stragglers of the Ryman Premier.

(F.A.Trophy 1st round replay) 22nd January 1998

Cheltenham Town (2) 5
Enfield (0) 1

With Watkins notching a hat trick and Walker getting his usual strike, this was no fun for the Enfield faithful. Pape made three defensive blunders: clearing to the feet of two Cheltenham forwards, plus giving Enfield enemy No1 a free shot at goal by dropping the ball at his feet. A last minute penalty that was slotted home by Endersby had the visitors wishing that Terry had missed with his last minute spot kick twelve days previously. Only the Middlesex Senior Cup to play for now!

(Ryman League Premier Division) 24th January 1998

Hendon (0) 0
Enfield (2) 3 Darlington 3; May 33; Williams 46

A comfortable away win. Enfield's three points were as good as assured when Hendon's defence allowed Steve Darlington a free attempt at goal as early as the third minute. The strikers shot/lob beat Ex E Gary McCann and the rest of the match (give or take a couple of half-hearted Hendon attempts) was a cakewalk!.
The talk of the afternoon concerned the meeting with Barnsley's travelling minibus army outside Southbury Road. The memories from being taken to two games in the cup by the mighty Enfield in the early eighties must still rankle in their supporters minds, for they took the time to make this detour on their way to White Hart Lane where they were engaged with an F.A.Cup tie with Spurs. Lots of gesticulating, though I guess the real reason was that their driver had confused our floodlights for White Hart Lane!
But anyway, I digress. This was my first visit to the ground for a couple of years. The cover has been taken down on either side of what now remains a small covered stand on the halfway line. Meanwhile, behind one of the goals is the Brent Cross Banqueting & Conference Centre. Less car parking room for those big matches against the likes of Bromley, Hitchin...
Referee Halsey is not exactly the most favourite official with Enfield. Today he called a halt to the game when the visitors were clear through in order to penalise a foul. Then he blew for half time with an attempt on goal imminent. Williams, replacing Endersby, had to check Halsey's watch just to make sure. Leroy May had in the meantime added a second after Venables had put in a neat cross for the striker to head home.
Williams scored his first goal for Enfield in the opening minute of the second half - his first since moving with manager Calder from Grays Athletic to Enfield. A 20 yarder to put Enfield in an unassailable position. It just remained to be seen how many goals would come. Well none, actually, but this was by far the best performance under the new management.

Footnote I have been asked to point out the fact that Hendon have changed from green to a blue kit. Hendon just don't look the part in their new attire. Somebody have a word, and get it changed back for next season

(Ryman Premier League) 31st January 1998

Enfield (1) 3 Terry 12; Darlington 59; Williams 72
Carshalton Athletic (0) 0

Enfield completed a four match run of league wins in January with this, a comfortable victory against old faces from Southbury Road. Andy Wells in the Carshalton goal was a sight to give hope to Enfield supporters, along with the recently signed Matt Edwards and Tommy Mason (now manager). Paul Moran was still out of the side through injury, though he has also been placed on the transfer list at his own request. Thankfully, the side have still performed well without him (Trophy exits permitting).

With Carshalton's away support nowhere to be seen, Enfield started brightly and had a fair amount of possession before Steve Terry popped up at the far post to steer the first of the afternoon's goals past a helpless Wells. Wells was having an uncomfortable time of it as he was quickly reminded of his poor performances during the Pearce/Westley era, and in particular the 5-3 embarrassment against Harrow. Neal Robson, their right back, came in for a bit of abuse as well, but the less said about the nature of the catcalling the better (for him).
Leroy May extended Wells a number of times before finally setting up Darlington for a tap in on the hour. In the meantime, off the pitch there was a fracas involving the annoying Beardsley and Fruitbat, who could be clearly seen chasing the little twerp all the way from behind the goal, past the Starlight, along the raised terrace and into the social club. Must have been something to do with the fact that Everton were losing...both also missed Williams adding the third (or was it Venables) as Wells flailed wildly as the ball passed him by.