Tonbridge Angels 1-3 Enfield Town

[cup of tea]

Keep believing guys, you are not the worst team in this league . Great result 

[Towningaround]

10 hours ago, The Crowing Cockerel said:

The striker firing blanks bagged at least 1 goal (- gather a team-mate might be claiming the other, but we shall see!)

👀

I think you may find that was just a bit of a in house joke as I don’t think there was any doubt over the second goal.

Bayley headed it goalwards and Jake redirected it into the net. 

4 goals in his last 5 starts…4 goals and 2 assists in 9 starts since he signed….i think Gavin knew he was low on confidence and short on game time when he joined so hopefully getting up to speed now.

I thought Henry Hawkins was excellent tonight as well and as I said at half time Bayley gave us a presence and a focal point and made us look like a team of men.

I hear also that another player wasn’t registered in time to play tonight….

 

Edited December 11 by Towningaround

[DonnyNo6]

8 hours ago, cup of tea said:

Keep believing guys, you are not the worst team in this league . Great result 

Agreed, I still think you'll get out of it.

[Barney]

Fantastic and unexpected result - well done to the management and the players!

Would be interested to know a bit more about the new players and where they play, as I've not been to a game for a couple of weeks. Heard mention that Parcell was in CM, and we had Peake and Leonard at wing backs, which strikes me as more square pegs for round holes, but ultimately we won by 2 goals, and might have had a couple more based on the Twitter feed, so I can't question things too much.

Looking forward to my trip to the seaside on Saturday - no expectation that we'll get anything out of it, but I hope we put in a decent showing at least, and don't roll over.

[ETFC2001]

47 minutes ago, Barney said:

Fantastic and unexpected result - well done to the management and the players!

Would be interested to know a bit more about the new players and where they play, as I've not been to a game for a couple of weeks. Heard mention that Parcell was in CM, and we had Peake and Leonard at wing backs, which strikes me as more square pegs for round holes, but ultimately we won by 2 goals, and might have had a couple more based on the Twitter feed, so I can't question things too much.

Looking forward to my trip to the seaside on Saturday - no expectation that we'll get anything out of it, but I hope we put in a decent showing at least, and don't roll over.

Wasn’t at the game last so I can’t comment on the wing backs but I thought looking at the team sheet we definitely changed a formation or tweaked something. Obviously this was due to Payne being suspended and Cox and Dylan missing with injury, but honestly if that worked yesterday because it sounded like we played very well you don’t fix something that’s not broken!

I posted a bit of information about the two new players on the Sittingbourne thread - it most likely got lost within all the discussion on the game. Nevertheless if you still wanted some information:

Bayley Brown - a 6’7 midfielder with a bunch of step 2 experience, most noticeably with Hemel and St Albans. I heard from Hemel fans that he wins everything in the air and he’s a midfielder that throws his weight about - which is what I thought we needed for a good while but on the other hand, is not very technical on the ball.

Henry Hawkins - a young 6’4 central defender from QPRs academy, last played for Whitehawk but had a loan with Farnborough last season. Probably just more depth if Cox gets recalled too. Apparently Gavin has been looking at him for the last 2 or 3 years so praises sung high.

I also agree that we shouldn’t just roll over. We are very capable of beating them, like we did earlier in the season. Their recent form isn’t nothing to shout about granted they’ve played some great teams but now we have a bit of momentum going into it. I still will go into it with 0 expectations 🤣 but something definitely might be possible?

Edited December 11 by ETFC2001

[No bull Towner]

8 minutes ago, ETFC2001 said:

Wasn’t at the game last so I can’t comment on the wing backs but I thought looking at the team sheet we definitely changed a formation or tweaked something. Obviously this was due to Payne being suspended and Cox and Dylan missing with injury, but honestly if that worked yesterday because it sounded like we played very well you don’t fix something that’s not broken!

I posted a bit of information about the two new players on the Sittingbourne thread - it most likely got lost within all the discussion on the game. Nevertheless if you still wanted some information:

Bayley Brown - a 6’7 midfielder with a bunch of step 2 experience, most noticeably with Hemel and St Albans. I heard from Hemel fans that he wins everything in the air and he’s a midfielder that throws his weight about - which is what I thought we needed for a good while but on the other hand, is not very technical on the ball.

Henry Hawkins - a young 6’4 central defender from QPRs academy, last played for Whitehawk but had a loan with Farnborough last season. Probably just more depth if Cox gets recalled too. Apparently Gavin has been looking at him for the last 2 or 3 years so praises sung high.

I also agree that we shouldn’t just roll over. We are very capable of beating them, like we did earlier in the season. Their recent form isn’t nothing to shout about granted they’ve played some great teams but now we have a bit of momentum going into it. I still will go into it with 0 expectations 🤣 but something definitely might be possible?

The most noticeable thing last night was we came out looking less defeated and up for it. We wanted it more than they did, the desire that's been lacking of late reappeared and we went after them! If we play like last night we can get points out of matches. I hope the lads take confidence from it and get back some belief that they can do this! I was impressed by Henry and think he will be an equally good replacement for Cox and looks like a good signing. Bayley is definitely an imposing presence in midfield and wins some headers for sure. He works hard harassing and unsettling when out of possession but his touch lets him down as it more bounces off him than is brought down and controlled. He does a lot of one touch passes but whether these are more by luck than judgement I'm still undecided but he's a different dynamic in midfield so it could work out well. If we have picked up a certain striker then things could get brighter still. We were fortunate at times last night with a few good balls across the box that Tonbridge failed to connect with but although in the second half they had more of the ball we defended higher up the pitch and didn't just sit back and invite them on. A chalk and cheese performance from recent times and I'm reinvigorated COYT

[The Crowing Cockerel]

7 minutes ago, No bull Towner said:

If we have picked up a certain striker then things could get brighter still. 

👀

Bryan Hammatt?

Gary Abbott?

Jake Cass?

Marcus Wyllie? (Not injured and didn't make the Gillingham match day squad at the weekend)

[No bull Towner]

15 minutes ago, The Crowing Cockerel said:

👀

Bryan Hammatt?

Gary Abbott?

Jake Cass?

Marcus Wyllie? (Not injured and didn't make the Gillingham match day squad at the weekend)

I'm thinking more on the lines of the Welling clear out (as Towningaround hinted of a new player) more likely than the chance of Marcus or Jake reappearing 

[ETFC2001]

26 minutes ago, No bull Towner said:

I'm thinking more on the lines of the Welling clear out (as Towningaround hinted of a new player) more likely than the chance of Marcus or Jake reappearing 

Like I said on here a couple days ago, I think we should be looking at Anointed Chukwu as a good pickup from the Welling clear out. Cheap and has a goal in him at all times. If we want to start dreaming then yeah Marcus will maybe appear, these football league moves always don’t work!

[ETFC2001]

55 minutes ago, The Crowing Cockerel said:

👀

Bryan Hammatt?

Gary Abbott?

Jake Cass?

Marcus Wyllie? (Not injured and didn't make the Gillingham match day squad at the weekend)

Not actually sure why he wasn’t in the squad - he was at the game on Saturday in his gear. 

[No bull Towner]

4 hours ago, ETFC2001 said:

Like I said on here a couple days ago, I think we should be looking at Anointed Chukwu as a good pickup from the Welling clear out. Cheap and has a goal in him at all times. If we want to start dreaming then yeah Marcus will maybe appear, these football league moves always don’t work!

Let's hope

[The Crowing Cockerel]

Seems like several teams around the lower end of the table are trimming their budgets:

 

[Raingod]

Really really enjoyed last night - definitely the best performance I have seen this season!

Got caught in accident on M25 so didn't get there til 730 after a 2h journey

Was surprised at how few fans we had at the game .. I guess Saturday's game was as bad as everyone reported on social media!

Sounds like the changes were enforced - who knows what decisions would have been made if all were available?

Opening minute and Rhys is tipping a shot over the bar before even getting behind the goal .. but after first few mins we settled well.

There's been a lot of talk of moving away from a back 5 in order to have an extra attacker - well playing 2 attacking players as wing backs is another way of doing it! Billy and Lennon both covered loads of ground and gave us options. 

Mickey in CM was also a surprise, but we played the ball around far more with some confidence - there were dummies, simple 121s, and a lot less hoofing up top.

Didn't really notice the LCB - which I think is credit to him - calm kept the ball. 

Really like Brown - I was told he was more defensive but he was all over the place - and as an ex capt another leader in the team - both debutants tall giving us more options on set pieces.

Lennon did really well to get the cross in and the lightest of touches from Jake placed it in - took an age to go over the line and could have bounced away from the post!

Normally we then sit back and try to hold on - but not here.. Before the 2nd we had 3 other good chances - Sam forced the keeper to a full stretch fingertip save that he pushed on the post. We then had another 2 chances which were blocked and then saved!

2nd from Jake was from a corner, with Brown with the inital header = we were in dreamland!

Tonbridge had a sub about to come on about 35 mins in - but he sat back down when they scored.

Second half was even - they had more play, made 3 individual subs early on but without much impact.

Rhys made 2 important saves when they were through which certainly kept us in the game - fumbled a couple on the night but overall solid.

We had a great flowing passing move for a 3rd but Lennon put it wide (could have passed it wide to Jake) before we did succeed, Sammy smashing it through the keeper's legs!

Bit of gallows humour behind the goal -" hopefully we'll at least draw in injury time" but overall a really enjoyable game that was over quickly!

Harry O remains in my all time Enfield XI but was still fun to sing "Harry, what's the score?" at the end!

I didn't comment at the weekend as I wasn;t there - but I did fear the worst from what I read.

Last night was a great performance and I have real hope we can get out of this .. 6 pts from safety, but the bottom 6-7 are not picking up many points so hopefully a tally of say 44 pts could be enough?

So onto Weston - new ground but 3.5 hours to get there - so hoping we put up a similar display - don't see how Gavin can change the XI? Although it would be unusual not to have a Friday night signing??

 

[ETFC2001]

12 minutes ago, Raingod said:

Really really enjoyed last night - definitely the best performance I have seen this season!

Got caught in accident on M25 so didn't get there til 730 after a 2h journey

Was surprised at how few fans we had at the game .. I guess Saturday's game was as bad as everyone reported on social media!

Sounds like the changes were enforced - who knows what decisions would have been made if all were available?

Opening minute and Rhys is tipping a shot over the bar before even getting behind the goal .. but after first few mins we settled well.

There's been a lot of talk of moving away from a back 5 in order to have an extra attacker - well playing 2 attacking players as wing backs is another way of doing it! Billy and Lennon both covered loads of ground and gave us options. 

Mickey in CM was also a surprise, but we played the ball around far more with some confidence - there were dummies, simple 121s, and a lot less hoofing up top.

Didn't really notice the LCB - which I think is credit to him - calm kept the ball. 

Really like Brown - I was told he was more defensive but he was all over the place - and as an ex capt another leader in the team - both debutants tall giving us more options on set pieces.

Lennon did really well to get the cross in and the lightest of touches from Jake placed it in - took an age to go over the line and could have bounced away from the post!

Normally we then sit back and try to hold on - but not here.. Before the 2nd we had 3 other good chances - Sam forced the keeper to a full stretch fingertip save that he pushed on the post. We then had another 2 chances which were blocked and then saved!

2nd from Jake was from a corner, with Brown with the inital header = we were in dreamland!

Tonbridge had a sub about to come on about 35 mins in - but he sat back down when they scored.

Second half was even - they had more play, made 3 individual subs early on but without much impact.

Rhys made 2 important saves when they were through which certainly kept us in the game - fumbled a couple on the night but overall solid.

We had a great flowing passing move for a 3rd but Lennon put it wide (could have passed it wide to Jake) before we did succeed, Sammy smashing it through the keeper's legs!

Bit of gallows humour behind the goal -" hopefully we'll at least draw in injury time" but overall a really enjoyable game that was over quickly!

Harry O remains in my all time Enfield XI but was still fun to sing "Harry, what's the score?" at the end!

I didn't comment at the weekend as I wasn;t there - but I did fear the worst from what I read.

Last night was a great performance and I have real hope we can get out of this .. 6 pts from safety, but the bottom 6-7 are not picking up many points so hopefully a tally of say 44 pts could be enough?

So onto Weston - new ground but 3.5 hours to get there - so hoping we put up a similar display - don't see how Gavin can change the XI? Although it would be unusual not to have a Friday night signing??

 

Unfortunately, I imagine if we got a positive result on Saturday there would of been more yesterday then there apparently was. Unfortunately couldn’t make it aswell.

But a couple rumours of a new signing this week - we’ll see! And I agree, I just don’t see how you can change the XI after last night because everyone I’ve asked said we played well. Movement was great from everyone, Brown/Hawkins great, Leonard/Peake as wingbacks were good.. If something isn’t broke, you don’t try and fix it right?

Edited December 11 by ETFC2001

[Towningaround]

Apparently Anointed Chukwu was there last night and was hoping his registration went through but it didn’t register in time. 

Id be shocked if he didnt start immediately and I think him and Hutchinson could be a handful for many defences. 

Youngs should drop back to ACM with Brown and Tuck sitting. I’d also 100% take the new left CB over Dan Cox.

[ETFC2001]

12 minutes ago, Towningaround said:

Apparently Anointed Chukwu was there last night and was hoping his registration went through but it didn’t register in time. 

Id be shocked if he didnt start immediately and I think him and Hutchinson could be a handful for many defences. 

Youngs should drop back to ACM with Brown and Tuck sitting. I’d also 100% take the new left CB over Dan Cox.

That’s amazing news if true. I genuinely think Chukwu could be an amazing player up-front for us. I think he could score upwards to 15+ goals if he really gets going and we do start playing two upfront with him and Hutchinson. Looked at him since last season, obviously we had Wyllie but he wasn’t doing so bad for Welling this season either. 

That being said, I quite like Youngy as a second striker/auxiliary striker? Seems like he comes into his own in that sort of role and he plays quite well. Nevertheless, you don’t change the wingbacks in my opinion because of how well they played apparently. Brown looked great aswell from what I’ve heard and Parcell didn’t do too bad in midfield yesterday too I imagine and looking at the highlights, there were definitely some great passage of plays in the middle of the park with Brown and co.

I can’t comment on Hawkins/Cox as I wasn’t there yet but also sounded like he put in a shift in LCB and is comfortable there and Gavin obviously likes him due to trying to sign him many a times in these past years. 

[ETFC2001]

15 hours ago, Towningaround said:

Apparently Anointed Chukwu was there last night and was hoping his registration went through but it didn’t register in time. 

Id be shocked if he didnt start immediately and I think him and Hutchinson could be a handful for many defences. 

Youngs should drop back to ACM with Brown and Tuck sitting. I’d also 100% take the new left CB over Dan Cox.

And now he has been announced. That’s a great signing.

[No bull Towner]

38 minutes ago, ETFC2001 said:

And now he has been announced. That’s a great signing.

Let's hope he can bang a few in for us and start to turn the season around. We need to consistently score goals as at this level we are always likely to concede so if we can't get the win at least we can get some draws

[Towningaround]

I was quite impressed with him when we played Welling but I have a friend of a friend who plays for Welling and he really didn’t rate him at all….ill judge on what I see…

I do think him and Hutchinson has the makings of a good partnership though.

With Youngs as a 10 and Peake / Leonard as Wing Backs it certainly has more potency than we’ve seen recently….i wonder if we can find a way of not concerning so many as having to score 3/4 to win isn’t feasible at this level. 

 

[The Crowing Cockerel]

Chukwu is no Wyllie or Faal, but with 17 goals in 42 appearances last season and 5 from 17 this, the stats suggest we should at least get the odd goal out of him! 🤞