(Ryman League Premier Division) 6th February 1999

Walton & Hersham (0) 0
Enfield (3) 4 Dunwell 29, 45, 90; Jones 41

Notwithstanding the fact that I lost a digital camera between the coach and home, this was a good afternoon out. It had all started so well too, with a cheese, onion and - get this! mushroom burgers! That's a novelty for Ryman football as far as I am aware.

Walton & Hersham's athletics-style ground is not blessed with the finest of vantage points. You will just have to take my word on that one. However, it does have a long terraced cover along the sideline opposite the main stand that offers fine accustics for those supporters who like to make their voices heard during the match. There was little to shout about in the opening stages though, other than to remark on the eccentric goalkeeping of Delroy Preddie, who seemed quite incapable (or unwilling) to catch the ball cleanly. Ex E Erskine Smart also came in for his obligatory 'feared by the fans, plays like a tart' Robin Hood ditty and as ever, laughed it off. Top of the bill though, went to No.6 Steve Moss, who earned the displeasure of all Enfield supporters present for a number of unpunished tackles during the game.

With Darlington and Dunwell back in the starting line up, both were keen to impress. Darlington looked eager to get on the scoresheet via the most unusual method, attempting a speculative lob from distance.
Hersham's resistance was broken from a free kick; as Preddie stood off his line he was quite unable to recover a ball that struck his right post and bounced away at an angle towards the other side of the goal. The ball was somehow centred for Dunwell, who converted with ease.

Before half time Enfield added two more goals past the sleepy homesters defence. Dunwell set up Jones with the perfect pass to split the opposition defence for Jones to score with an angled shot. Dunwell's second was slightly more bizarre, with Tomlinson's centre from the left that Darlington connected with. The shot was saved by Preddie, who flicked the ball up in an attempt to catch it on the way down, missed/made a hash of collecting the ball, leaving Dunwell the relatively easy pickings for his second of the match.

The second half did not match the action of the latter stages of the first half. Hersham seemed content to take out their petty differences on any player who looked like threatening danger. Dunwell signed off with his third as he strode clear to beat Preddie just inside the keeper's left post.

(Ryman League Premier Division) 13th February 1999

Enfield (2) 3 Darlington 9; Deadman 39; Carroll 73(OG)
Bromley (0) 0

Match report to follow...

(Ryman League Premier Division) 13th February 1999

Enfield (1) 1 Deadman 16
Billericay Town (0) 0

Enfield collected all three points with an expertly executed John Deadman free kick. Billericay Town forced numerous corners in quick succession throughout the match, with the very best of their chances being tipped over the bar By Andy Hall in the final moments. Dunwell, meanwhile, created three excellent chances to add to his eighteen goals for Enfield already this season.

As an interesting little sideline to this game, Megan Ridout (daughter of opposition player John Ridout) made another appearance as Mascot for Enfield. That's what happens when gran follows Enfield! Meanwhile, it is reported that both Andy Hall and Darren Annon's attempts at being top of the photo sales league in the supporters club shop have resulted in both being suspended from the league table for a week. The crime? Hall for getting family members to buy in bulk, whilst Annon appears to be bribing small children to buy his image...

(Ryman League Premier Division) 20h February 1999

Dulwich Hamlet (0) 0
Enfield (1) 1 Jones 41

And so the rumour that curculated on the supporters coach proved to be true: long time Enfield goalkeeper Andy Pape has finally left the club by mutual consent. Whilst realising that the majority of Ryman League clubs to have suffered Andy's safe hands will be sighing some kind of collective relief, it will be a short respite because Andy is sure to end up at Aldershot Town! (or even Slough Town for that matter). John Richardson, meanwhile, takes a breather from Southbury Road as he gives the benefit of his experience to Berkhamstead Town.

So it's out with the old and in with the new. Andy Hall has proved to be more than capable cover this past month, with four clean sheets and some excellent performances in the process. It is extremely doubtful that manager Gary Calder's performance in goal for the reserves in midweek will oust Hall from his postion of Enfield current No1! Enfield were never in any trouble throughout this game, and once Jones had quite literally passed the ball into the back of the net past a dozy Hamlet defence and Les Clevely, there was just the one chance for Hall to deal with.

Also off the pitch, Enfield's boozy supporters ensured that another visit to south London ended in acute embarrassment! After the infamous "Ken Dodd Boxing Day incident" of 1995, plus last year's grannie and her rattle confrontation, you would have thought that beer was the last thing on our mind. Welllllllllllll... Pheonix pubs and Stella do not mix for one particular chap on the terraces, who decided to take his condition out on Enfield's No1 moaner. After a few rounds of 'you always moan when we're winning' it was eyeball confrontation before order was restored. All rather silly, but will certainly be mentioned in TGTLS 27.