(F.A.Cup 2nd Qualifying Round) 3rd October 1998

Croydon (0) 0
Enfield (1) 4 Richardson (pen)22, 90; Penn 55; Naylor 90

And so the Enfield roadshow moved to south of the river. With the news that the supporters club have filed a vote of no confidence regarding Chairman Tony Lazarou's handling of the move to Hertfordshire, there was plenty of rumour and speculation around. Suffice to say, the beer and the talk flowed in Croydon's social club. As for the football - it was rather a question of how many Enfield were going to score in the fifteen minutes of injury time added on at the end of the game to allow for an injury to Lee Protheroe that saw the player strechered from the field of play in the second half.

Notes from the first half were few and far between. Other than an off the line clearance with the game still goalless, Enfield's defence had a breeze of it, with Andy Pape a mere spectator for long periods. Enfield took the lead thanks to Danny Bower in the Croydon defence, who conceeded a penalty which was converted by Richardson.

As ever, the food run out at half time. Why oh why is it that the snack bar under estimates the level of Enfield's away support? Upon being told that they had bought a little extra food , the response was that Enfield had bought a lot extra support.

The second half opened to Protheroe's injury. Russell Penn was quick to increase the lead with a well placed header from a Dunwell cross, and the game was effectively over from that point. Naylor, Richardson and Morgan were tormenting a by now woeful Croydon, and keeper David Ephraim was extremely fortunate to remain on the pitch after felling Naylor when clean through. Up stepped Richardson to blast the ball against the bar.
Feeling slightly guilty of wasting Naylor's penalty award, Richardson set up his team mate in another one-on-one which was thankfully converted, soon followed by Ephraim in the thick of the action again - or rather - was close to the action as a woeful back pass left him stranded on the edge of his area for Naylor to square to Richardson with the keeper nowhere in sight for the easiest of goals.

And as for my pre-match drinking in the bar and the extra injury time... I have to report that there are no toilets on the coaches these days (this will obviously have to be ammended should Enfield be making long journeys in the Conference division 2 next season), and of course, it was a little touch and go if we would get back to Enfield in time for a mercy dash to the oh-so lovingly painted white cubicles that I wrote of recently. I did - but no thanks to son of TGTLS News Co-Ed Pete Coath. Oh what a strain on the bladder when a ten-year-old kid decides to jump about on the back seat and disturb my fragile concentration.

(Ryman Premier League) 9th October 1998

Hendon (0) 2 Whitmarsh 52; Lewis(pen) 71
Enfield (0) 0

Enfield's recent dominance of this particular fixture was such that of the eighteen competitors in the Prediction League currently being run by TGTLS/TOTE websites, only one dared to suggest Enfield going home pointless. The early indications were that the points were going the same way, with Enfield having the better of the play. Shortly before kick off the heavens opened, so the vast majority of the crowd were perched under what was left of the asbestos-filled covered terrace on the sidelines.

After last season's antics with the granny and her rattle at Dulwich Hamlet, last night's game was notable for a visit from the Boy's Brigade who must have just shut down early for the night and stopped by for the game. Whilst playing musical instruments at games is fashionable lately, I would respectfully draw to the trumpeter's attention that the whole idea is to play in tune, and not just blow a couple of random notes! Still, at least there was some noise coming from the Hendon section of the crowd, which is a change from the norm.

The best of Enfield's chances came from a mazy run by Richardson, who turned the Hendon defence this way and that before unleashing a shot that curled just wide of the far post. Bentley also caused some panic after some good work by Penn. Half-time came with nothing to show for the good work put in.

Well, sure as eggs is eggs, Hendon took their first real chance of the game. Pape was off his line with the defence nowhere as Whitmarsh executed a perfect lob into an empty net. This did nothing but encourage the off-key trumpeter, who by now had moved behind his side's respective goal. Of course, he was absolutely delighted at the penalty award for his side, and the ensuing *discussion* in front of the home terrace that followed.

(Ryman Premier League) 13th October 1998

Enfield (1) 2 Calden 2; Bentley 67
Dulwich Hamlet (0) 1 Thompson 58

(F.A.Cup 3rd Qualifying Round) 17th October 1998

Banbury United (0) 0
Enfield (0) 4 Calden 55; Darlington 64; Dunwell 69; Cooper 82

Another up and down game. For the first half Enfield fell into the trap of trying to compete on the same level as their opponents, by playing the ball high into a strong gale when they should have been passing it on the ground. Matters were not helped by the fact that the advantage of the wind was with the hosts.

Banbury United (average home gate of 231 this season) went to town in staging this game. Indeed, as the programme notes explained, this was the first proper programme that the editor had produced. I cannot complain with Banbury United taking advantage of Enfield's supporters for some needed cash. It's the other United ripping off their fans with £50 kits that get me.

In truth, Enfield were simply dire in the first half. All the passes were going astray in the wind, or to a non-existent team mate. The only chance of note came from Calden, who screwed his shot just wide after some good work by Bentley. In the meantime, Banbury had caused panic in the Enfield defence, mostly in the air due to the swirling winds.

The second half was a totally different matter. Almost from the off, Annon was involved in a scramble in the opposition penalty area, and the ball clearly struck the hand of a defender with the referee blind to the action as usual. The incident was laid to rest in the 55th minute when the newly-recharged Steve Darlington provided the cross from the left that saw Calden convert amongst a tangle of legs from close in. Moments later Dunwell headed over when it appeared easier to score. Annon being the provider this time.
The wind was still causing a great deal of problems. Kearns, in goal for United, struggled to find his accuracy throughout the second half, and on the one occasion he kicked it straight down the pitch, Darlington seized on the fact that the ball was going to die in the wind and, from the halfway line, ran on to beat Kearns quite convincingly low to the advancing keeper's right.

Calden was by now doing as he pleased down the left. Comedy of the day was provided by his pass that escaped the best intentions of Darlington, only for Dunwell to control and then beat the keeper at the far post through his legs for 3-0. Pape was bought into the action to pull of a magnificent clawing save to deny the opposition, which just allowed enough time for Grant Cooper to score from a curler from the left that looked to be expertly left by Darlington for No.4. Darlo tried to claim it, but he should be satisfied (as should Calden) to have returned to the fold in such style this week. Dunwell also teed himself up for a shot that he should have converted, and there were countless other chances to add to the total.

In passing, I must make mention of the Banbury United supporter I was talking to during the second half. He was most despondent about the manner of his side's collapse, and kept telling all who would listen that 'you've shattered my dream, your team have!', of his side meeting Cardiff City in the later stages of the competition, but he still found the time to buy the fanzine, before slipping away into the evening down the hopelessly inadequate alley leading to the station. The coach was stuck there for nearly half an hour before the traffic warden arrived.

(Ryman Premier League) 20th October 1998

Enfield 1 Bentley 89
Boreham Wood 3 McCarthy (pen)31; Samuels 69; Nesbit 76

Manager Gary Calder described this game as 'an embarrassment' after this performance against our current bogey team. Forget Aylesbury - this fixture has been an away banker since Wood were promoted to the league (how long ago was that?). According to Niall Jeger in the Enfield Gazette, Enfield were played off the park by a side who had won only two games this season.

As for the facts of the game, Grant Cooper handled to give McCarthy the opportunity to put Wood ahead. In the second half, Samuels beat Pape from just inside the penalty area with a dipping shot. Nesbit settled the game after some good work by Samuels to send the E's to Sussex on Sunday in a sombre mood. Oh - Mark Bentley scored a cracker from twenty yards to further add to his value. George Borg was at this game... expect a departure soon then.

(F.A. Trophy 1st Round) 25th October 1998

St. Leonards (1) 2 Ramsden 31, 75
Enfield (2) 4 Cooper (S) 14; Naylor 18 (pen); Darlington 83, 90

Being an ex ground hopper, I was looking forward to seeing Firs Park for the first time. After following the club's fortunes for the past three seasons I was interested to see what a lottery winner and his money had done to St. Leonards before moving 400 yards down the road to Hastings last season.
The first thing to strike me was that I could buy my food and sit at the quaint cafe tables at pitch side. Look - I know that France98 has just been and gone, but this is ridiculous! As I sat and looked around, I was most taken in by the one end of the ground that had no less than three different standing levels. Eye level, goalpost level, and then high-up-and-unable-to-see-half- the-goal-because-it-is-obscured level. It was rather like playing Strike It Lucky with Michael Barrymore - I picked the middle level but did not find a Hot Spot because it was blooming cold everywhere.
The main stand was another eye catcher. My favourite ground visited this season so far! And the music piped out over the tannoy also made us giggle. It's a toss up if listening to Chas & Dave at St. Leonards, or the Grease Megamix 5 times in a night at Boreham Wood was the worst. Personally, I think the world would be a much happier place without those loveable *cockneys* singing songs about cups of tea, whelks, and London gals. St Leonards fans told me that they were playing C&D to make us all feel at home. Yeah, right!

As for the game, Enfield got off to a bright start. Our supporters were still taking in the pleasant surroundings when a long and lanky streak of p**s (otherwise known as Sam Bass) made a howler of a pass into midfield. Sammy Cooper ran on to convert at the second attempt after Gartell in St. Leonards goal thought he had done enough to save Bass and his blushes.

Four minutes later Bass was in the thick of the action again, pulling down Calden in the box to give Naylor the chance for 2-0, low to Gartell's left.Poor old Bass - it's no fun following in the footsteps of a talented footballing father (an ex E, so I was told). Certainly a case of Double Bass with these errors!
Enfield were by now running rampant, looking as if they could extend their lead at any given moment. So it was with some surprise that Leonards dragged themselves back into the game from a throw in that extended Pape into making a save, allowing Ramsden to stab the ball home on the half hour. The half ended with Darlington taking one touch too many, allowing a grateful keeper to save at his feet.

The Enfield lagerheads emerged late for the second half, claiming that they could have watched the rest of the game via the live feed from the cameraman beaming the game into the social club. I wonder how many times he will rerun the absolute sitter missed by Ramsden when he fired over unchallenged with the goal at his mercy? Still, the same player made amends by pulling St. Leonards level as the Enfield defence failed to clear, shooting low to Pape's left to cue wild celebrations both on and off the pitch.

Just when it seemed Enfield were going to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, Sammy Cooper set up a frantic goalmouth scramble as he tested the woodwork, the ball bouncing down on the goal-line and, in the confusion, Darlington rose above all to head home. Gartell took so long untangling himself from the goal netting that his defence were out of slagging-off range!
In stoppage time Darlington and Naylor combined, and the former went agonisingly close, but scuffed his shot wide.
However, goal number four came in the the next attack with Darlington once more heading home at the second attempt for a victory that Enfield just about deserved.

(F.A.Cup 4th Qualifying Round) 31st October 1998

Enfield (0) 2 Richardson 81 ; Bentley 88
Raunds Town (0) 0

Bring on the snorkels! Footwear for this game was strictly flippers only. Any hopes of a game of skill went right out the window as the rain from this morning developed into a downpour that had us all questioning the decision to even start this game. From the off, players from both sides were slipping and a sliding all over the park. The would-be referees among the crowd were all for calling it off after the first fifteen minutes, especially when Raunds looked to have the better of the opening exchanges.

Choice moment between the raindrops was the godawful pass back to the Raunds keeper that ploped in a puddle, allowing Darlington an attempt to lob the keeper (wide) and the splashing of the linesman on the far side of the ground when a challenge bought up a large spray of water. Magic! Pape also had the misfortune to be lobbed, though this effort sailed comfortably high, wide and certainly not so handsome. There was also cause to believe that Enfield deserved a penalty, though the slippery surface probably made the tackle look worse than it was

It was with some surprise that the game continued after the break. Enfield, whilst finding the conditions a hinderance, suggested that they were always going to be better than anything that Raunds were going to offer. Bentley (from a free kick and countless headers) forced the opposition keeper into conceeding countless corners. Best being a Richardson run that ended with Bentley flashing a header just over.

It was not until Darlington had been substituted for Dunwell that the breakthrough was made. After peppering the goal and coming close, the ball fell to Naylor on the left, and his cross was turned in by Richardson at the far post. Cue relieved celebrations on and off the pitch. Bentley's strong run and shot past Watts sealed the result for the E's. Then into the bar to see the draw for the first round. York City at home? Makes a change from Woking and Cardiff...