Enfield Town 1 Barkingside 1

[Gonzo]

356 saw goals early in each half cancel each other out. Town went behind after 6 mins when the defence disintegrated when faced with a Barkingside break. Marking was optional as the 'Side striker was left alone 10yds out and beat the stranded Chopper once he'd committed himself to covering the right of the goal.

 

Town had the majority of the possession after this but found Barkingside to be a well-organised unit. Nyman was (unsurprisingly) winning very little in the air and balls into the strikers' feet were often snaffled away by tight marking. Negus put a difficult volley over the bar and Campbell forced the 'Side keeper into a good save with an effort from 25yds.

 

The second half saw Smith replace Nyman and immediately there was renewed impetus to the Town. Beating two players by the right touch-line, Smithy drove forwards only to be crudely up-ended just outside the right-hand corner of the 'Side area. Rudi curled the ball to the back post where Graeme Hall looped a header into the far corner.

 

Town had chances as the game progressed but were having great trouble breaking down a well-organised defence. With 10mins left Snowden came on for the out-of-sorts Dave Allen and Brad Brotherton replaced Kevin Riley. It was clear that it wasn't going to be our day when Negus fired Campbell's cut-back over from 15yds. The Town midfield worked hard, but just seemed to run out of ideas when it came to the final third. Perhaps we miss the talismanic influence of Johnny Ridout?

[Southport - TOWNER]

A good game of football

A good referee

A good crowd

 

shame we didn't get three points

[Hawkeye Pierce]

Hall, Campbell, Baldwin, Gant, Hall, Hall, Negus, Allen, Hall, Green, Riley, Nyman, Smith, Snowden, Pamplin, Ndombe, Brotherton

 

Newcombe, Ayres, Flag, Gilley, Golby, Diaczuk, Limanaj, Williams, Carr, Bonham, Wettner, Foley, Taylor, Yellop, Hughes, Wood

 

Gate 356

 

Goals Leon Diaczuk 6 minutes, Graeme Hall 51 minutes

 

As the teams lined up in the sun the Barkingside looked like the baggies with shorts down to their knees.

 

The early pressure to unsettle town came from Barkingside. Eventually the pressure paid dividends with Leon Diaczuk slotting low home past Chopper. 0 – 1 not the start town fans had hoped for but very much to the delight of Barkingside and Burnham Ramblers who had a good amount of support. On 10 minutes Matty Negus volleyed a half chance over the bar in a 1 on 1 with the keeper. Options are opening up for town. After the first goal town appear to have awakened from their slumbers. Barkingside get a free kick straight into Choppers arms. Paul Campbell takes a 30 yard shot just dipping under the bar which Newcombe punches over his bar. Corner brings Graeme Hall heading across the goal but no one was able to slot home. Matty Negus was then late tackled which earned Williams a yellow card. Rudi Hall just missing with a free kick. This was end to end cup final stuff. Route 1 was successfully blocked by Gilley and Golby. Priceless tackles going in for town from David Allen and Paul Campbell as they tracked back to take the ball off opponents in good positions. The best shot of the first half from Town came from a Matty Negus cross to Dean Nyman who despite a dreadful angle got a shot on target for Newcombe to make one of those reflex diving saves that keepers are proud of. Barkingside had certainly done their homework and deserved their half time lead.

 

At Half time Lee Smith came on for Dean Nyman. Lee Smith was starting to create chances in the Barkingside area eventually he was brought down and Town were awarded a free kick just on the edge of the box. The Barkingside delayed matters as their bench decided to remonstrate with the referee. Eventually in the 51st minute Rudi Hall curled one across the goal towards Graeme Hall who rose majestically to smash the ball across the face of the goal with his head and in off the inside of the opposite goal post. 1 – 1. Town fans erupted with as much relief as joy at recovering a point. Chants of “Graeme Hall King of all Geordies” echoed around the ground.

 

Town initially wobbled but then confidence increased and Matty Negus got a cross in for David Allen to head just wide. Rudi Hall was going round in circles in the middle of the pitch tackling player after player before laying the ball off to a town player. A Dean Green shot was saved by Newcombe. Town were peppering the Barkingside goal but alas could not get the winner. Lee Smith headed just wide. Matty Negus shot just over. Barkingside blocked a free kick. Paul Campbell shot just wide. Down at the other end nervous moments as Chopper saves a good shot from Barkingside. David Allen tracked back for a priceless clearance from an attacking player. Rudi Hall displaying some lovely skills on the edge of the box before his effort was blocked. Barkingside made 3 changes bringing on Foley, Yellop and Hughes for Williams Carr and Bonham.

Town replied with Substitutions for Riley and Allen of Brotherton and Snowden. A Dean green Shot was blocked. Bradley Brotherton tracked back and conceded a free kick on the edge of the area which was then blocked. A further Barkingside shot went just wide and yet another was gathered nicely by chopper.

 

Town fans were disappointed not to extend the lead at the top. Leading to fears of another season in the ESL.

 

The League Chairman was delighted with the quality of football. He exclaimed that he had enjoyed two “fabulous” matches in 2 days from 4 ESL clubs.

[andyetfc]

'Town fans were disappointed not to extend the lead at the top'.

 

Compo!!! We have extended our lead by another point! I will agree that it would have been nice to have a 5 point cusion, but I am sure that most people at ETFC will be grateful of the point, especially as we were one nil down after 6 minutes.

 

'Leading to fears of another season in the ESL'. We dropped two home points, that's all. We gained three from an away victory oin Saturday so I believe that 4 points from 2 games is OK. Let's now go out and win on Saturday.

[PORTENCROSS]

Absolutely delighted with the football on Saturday at Burnham and now, today at Enfield Town and Barkingside - another two top notch sides the league can be mighty proud of. Super turn-out including the good folk of Burnham , then there was the prize-winning bread pudding, and, to top it all, Waltham Abbey reaching the Final of the Middlesex Millennium Cup at Brentford on 19th May - Happy Days in the ESL !

[AbbeyMan]

Quote:

LgeChairman said:
Absolutely delighted with the football on Saturday at Burnham and now, today at Enfield Town and Barkingside - another two top notch sides the league can be mighty proud of. Super turn-out including the good folk of Burnham , then there was the prize-winning bread pudding, and, to top it all, Waltham Abbey reaching the Final of the Middlesex Millennium Cup at Brentford on 19th May - Happy Days in the ESL !

Cheers Mr Chairman!

[Southport - TOWNER]

and don't forget some lucky winner of the 50/50 went home with a rather large prize today...

 

no it wasn't me

 

ps thanks to all those folks who gladly moved away from the front of the stand to allow seated supporters to see the game!

[MbrunoB]

If our friend Cookie Monster is rreading this, some of us were given a nice giant cookie each at todays game.