(Ryman Premier League) 3rd March 1998

Basingstoke Town 0
Enfield 0

Match report by Steph

As my son said 'It always rains in Basingstoke' which is about the most constructive comment one can say about this game.
Basingstoke played as though they had to win and Enfield just turned up. The first half Stoke were playing against the wind and Enfield tended to overhit the ball. Chances were limited but what there were tended to go the hosts way.

In the second half. Basingstoke were on top for most of the match and Pape had to make some notable saves. Leroy May went off in the second half to be replaced by Danny Jones, and this left Steve Darlington up front and he was often surrounded by a host of Basingstoke players. Macca had a good game, but the rest seemed to want to get back to the dressing room for a hot shower and home to cocoa and bed.

(Ryman Premier League) 7th March 1998

St. Albans City 0 (0)
Enfield (3) 4 Darlington 13, 26, 85; Moran 40

Deja vu. Steve Darlington must love seeing the name J Pearce on the officials line up at away games. Here was another hat-trick at an away ground. Sutton United all over again. Not only that, but on the end of this backlash was Gareth Howells, who took over the crown of "most disliked goalkeeper" from Lawrence Batty this season.
City were never in it after Darlington's first - a cleverly worked free kick. While Albans were still working their angles, the ball was played quickly to the left, a cross into the box, and Darlington prodded home under pressure. Not content with this, Albans then presented another gift chance when Happy Howells lost any of his credibility that remained by allowing Darlington to breeze in and PINCH THE BALL OFF THE END OF HIS TOE before converting in hysterics. I actually felt rather sorry for the chappie, till I saw him making sly gestures to the baying crowd.
While those of us were reminding Lee Harding of what he was missing since leaving Enfield, Moran was sweeping home a third goal at the Tree End. This first half performance was surely making up for a 5-1 drubbing in a cup tie in the early stages of this season. The half time change round that took us past the home dressing room left nobody in any doubt at all that Jimmy Neighbour was indeed unhappy at his side's performance.

My half time break was enlivened with the news that Graham Roberts has now found his way to Chesham United. Following the reverse route that George Borg took I guess. The second half performance could never match that of the first half, though St. Albans were rather fortunate to get away with a couple of rather debatable decisions: a blatant handball in the box, then Darlington (that man again) was pulled down from behind, yet no foul was given, nor even a lecture by the referee. Most peculiar.
Biggest laugh of the day was Grant Cooper's attempt on goal. Grant Cooper? - that should read "Tommy Cooper", for the lad got right under the ball and played the perfect air shot that somehow reminded me of a Marc Salmon shot many moons ago that resulted in the played nursing wounded pride and severe cramp. Where was I? Oh yeah, and a third goal by YAWN you-know-who to settle things right at the end.

(Middlesex Senior Cup Semi Final) 10th February 1998

Hampton (0) 0, 0
Enfield (0) 0, 1 Venables 120

The coach never arrived to collect the few hardy souls who had made it to the ground through the car park that is the M25. So hasty arrangements were made for a car convoy to Hampton. The one in front had the map! So there I was, with my knees up to my throat in the back seat of Peter Foster's car, slowly edging our way through the rush hour traffic and speculating on how much of the game we would actually see.
The gateman look surprised to see us stragglers arrive at 7.50pm, but as luck would have it, kick off was at 7.45pm. Nice one chaps. Premiership games are delayed so spectators can get in the ground safely, though I cannot imagine that Hampton had delayed the start so that three car loads of Enfield fans could arrive from North London!
Mental note for the fixture secretary next season: play this lot away in the first month or so when it is warmer. I froze my butt off whilst waiting in the queue for refreshments. Also - avoid the bearded new-age supporter who looked up for confrontation (also in the tea queue). This was just as interesting a fixture OFF the pitch, with Enfield's supporters finding alternate entertainment amongst themselves in the second half as the game was being spoiled by a fussy ref.
Beardsley spotters ( see familiar faces ) will be pleased to learn that he received his first proper "binning" of the season - no better place to put rubbish than in the bin I say. Sick Bob was living up to his name, and Leroy May was observing events behind the goal from a different viewpoint
I feel it worthwhile to point out that Hampton's new little stand behind the goal, while appearing to look a little minuscule from a distance, is actually worth thinking about ( on a larger scale) behind one of the goals at the new ground. 300-400 seats, and covered terracing in front as well. As I've always said, getting Enfield's supporters under cover can generate some appreciable noise. This was much the case last night, helped by an intake of alcohol of course.
Just when the game appeared to be heading towards a replay at Southbury Road next Wednesday, up popped Venables to stab the ball home in the last minute of extra time. Hampton will be tough opponents if they (as expected) wrap up promotion the Ryman Premier this season. Enfield's opponents in the Middlesex Senior Cup Final will be Uxbridge, with the final to be played at Hendon in April

(Ryman Premier League) 21st March 1998

Enfield 0
Purfleet 0

While the rest of us were digesting the details for the proposed new ground, the team were playing out a goalless draw with Purfleet. Opinion of the game varied from "boring draw" / "end of season material" to "mildly entertaining. Take your pick.

(Ryman Premier League) 27th March 1998

Heybridge Swifts (2) 4 Springett (pen) 2; Cranfield 12; Game 63; Adcock 78
Enfield (1) 1 Darton(OG)_

Enfield's good run came to an end on a Friday night in Essex. Goodness knows why this fixture was bought forward at such a late stage - almost as daft a decision as playing the Middlesex Senior Cup Final on a Bank Holiday Monday evening. It was backs against the wall as early as the second minute, when Terry was adjudged to have fouled Kane inside the box. Springett made no mistake from the spot. Minutes later, Cranfield converted by way of a spectacular volley. Williams, later to sustain a broken foot, was behind Enfield's goal. His shot looped into the net by way of Swifts' Darton to give some hope for the visitors.

The second half started badly with Williams injury. Pape saved from Adcock, but was unable to keep out Game's header. Adcock later converted a fourth to complete the scoring and a miserable night for Enfield.

(Ryman Premier League) 31st March 1998

Boreham Wood (0) 2 Marshall 68; ? 90
Enfield (0) 1 Deadman 65

Boreham Wood kept up their outside chance of a Ryman League title by coming from behind to beat Enfield, helped largely by the dozy antics of referee Graham Monk. Enfield had looked capable of wrapping up the title for Kingstonian before April until Marshall, and then Monk, contrived to put the game beyond Enfield's reach. Monk will in all probability be invited for an eye test as he firstly gave a highly debatable free kick, then allowed it to be taken well in advance of the *offence*.