Thursday 1st January, 2015 – 3pm kick-off
The day's hosts were offering the services of a Rehabilitation Clinic. The repute of Town's fans had clearly preceded them.
Nobody should ever again be fooled, as I had been, if briefly, into believing that Summers Lane (Finchley) enjoys any better micro-climate than its surrounding areas. I discovered the more prosaic truth when attending just my third ever Enfield Town F.C. away game, recently. There was neither pregnant seasonal fruit, nor balmy breezes anywhere to be found. Instead, a cold, wet, windy, January afternoon greeted me and just 330 other brave souls, who’d chosen to attend the game. I was initially slightly surprised by this relatively modest turnout, on a Bank Holiday, until I discovered that this was actually Wingate & Finchley’s highest gate of the season by some distance - more than double the next highest, in fact – and mostly comprised of away fans.
"Any Wintry Afternoon in England" - by C. R. W. Nevinson, painted 1930. A prescient taste of things to come in Finchley, in 2015?
Personally, I have long been a strong proponent of the New Year’s Day football fixture. There can, surely, be few better ways to ward off the evil after-effects of one’s over-enthusiastic New Year’s Eve celebrations than to stand, exposed to freezing rain, whipped in under an inadequately-roofed stand, in a non-league football stadium, whilst staring blankly through the haze, as two groups of part-time footballers still continue trying to live their dream, despite having previously failed to make the cut as professional players. What better way can there be to realistically assess your team's chances for the second half of the season? Judging by the fact that my local ‘little’ Waitrose had sold out of essential paracetamol supplies, there should have been plenty of other folk, in a similar condition to myself; in need of a cold outdoor shower and willing to more than double that unseasonably low attendance figure – had the match venue only been more conducive.
Proof positive that Finchley's main stand provides a bird's-eye view of the game.
Wingate & Finchley, imaginatively (as ever, for a non-league side) nick-named “The Blues” (can you guess what colour they play in?) were founded in 1991 by the merging of two local clubs - can you guess what each of those amalgamating clubs was called? Alas, their Harry Abrahams Stadium (official capacity 1,500), rather than being
conducive to post New Year’s recovery, boasts a post-industrial, indeed almost
a post-apocalyptic, landscape - and is within clear earshot of the mighty,
roaring North Circular Road. It nestles between the picturesque sounding
Glebelands allotments and Glebelands Indoor Bowls Club, next door to Finchley
RUFC, with whom they share some of the ground's structures. While their main
stand does offer a bird’s-eye view of the game (almost uninterrupted) it is also
clearly in great need of some TLC. Much like Enfield’s squad of players, after a
dismal run of form that had seen them spiral ever-downwards from the heady
heights of 6th to a pre-match 11th position in the Ryman
Isthmian Premier League table. To be fair, that slide had not been helped by
the cancellation of several recent fixtures. I had started the festive season
with strong intentions of attending three-in-a-row (home-and-away league games) for the first
time ever in my brief incarnation as a fan of Enfield Town. The first, at home
to well-supported high-flyers Dulwich Hamlet, had already been postponed due to
a water-logged pitch at the QEII. Later, the third of those fixtures, at home
to “The Gulls” of Canvey Island would also suffer the same fate. Such is the
nature of non-league football.
There is a lot to be said, in fact, for top class drainage, under-soil heating and
irrigation systems - and employing a large team of full-time ground staff. Unfortunately,
very little of it can be said about the grounds of non-league clubs, given their meagre resources. One
unintentional consequence of missing my much-anticipated Xmas threesome (phnaar,
phnaar!) is that all those weather troubles should lead to some interesting, if
potentially cold, future mid-week evening fixtures, under floodlights.
Enfield's players greet the officials, just before kick-off (see big clock, above the Jack Fisk stand) ... while they are still able to actually feel their own fingers.
I had attended the reverse, early-season fixture at Donkey Lane,
back on the August Bank Holiday Monday (25/8/14 - see
http://des-desh.blogspot.co.uk/2014_08_01_archive.html).
On that occasion, an inept first-half performance from Town had left them 0-3
down at home after 45 minutes. Their strong recovery in the second-half, against a ‘robust’ and physical
defending team had brought a big improvement; but had left them 2-3 losers, to
a side who lost a man to a red card rather too late in the game – and who had only
avoided relegation at the end of last season due to the bizarre knock-on effects of the
withdrawal of Worksop Town from their rather more northerly league commitments. The large New Year's Day away
following obviously hoped that Enfield could avenge that previous result. If
so, they would do so with six changes from the side who had started that defeat, back in August.
Absentees included the whole forward line and attacking midfield – not least the
club’s record top scorer Liam Hope and this season’s club top scorer, Corey
Whitely. The hosts, meanwhile, were fielding just two changes from their
starting line-up at the QEII. On a minor point, I note that our two games against them were held on a Bank Holiday Monday and a Bank Holiday Thursday. So we will not have played a
Saturday league fixture against these opponents this season. Yes, it’s a minor point. I'm just saying!
Let's get ready to r-r-r-r-rumble!
Town kicked off the match (in yellow) with the squally, southerly wind
at their backs. They made all the early running; but it was still the home side
who had the first meaningful attempt on goal, as Oliyide fluffed his lines from
the left-hand side of Enfield’s area. A minute later, the next meaningful
effort also fell to the Blues. Luckily, Sogbanmu slashed wildly at his chance, this time from the right–hand edge of Town’s area. A warning had been strongly
signalled. Meanwhile, at the other end of the pitch, W&F’s captain (their #5,
Weatherstone) was looking very composed in a sweeping role … until he suddenly
looked very de-composed, as he scuffed and sliced his uncontrolled attempted
clearance of a low Enfield cross from the left. It skied, fortuitously, over the bar. It was a rare aberration and a
sign that the swirling wind was causing big problems. Enfield would need to take
full advantage of that wind being in their favour in the first half; but Stanley Muguo
leaned back on a rising ball, just as he connected with his effort from the resultant Town corner.
Enfield’s #9 was a new face and name to me: Alex Teniola. A 'big unit', he was receiving and
holding a lot of high balls and playing his part well; but rarely received the support he needed from willing runners, bursting out of midfield.
What's a floodlight pylon, between friends? The (yellow) ball from Enfield's Livings (#8) disappears behind the right-hand strut of an access ladder, in a first-half foray.
There was only one set of fans singing. While Enfield’s familiar “Cham-pyons of
Your-op / We know what we are” rang out resoundingly, despite the wind, the technique
on display on the pitch remained out of synch with those lyrics. A perfect example of this came after 21 minutes.
Town’s diminutive #7, Tyler Campbell, had two bites of an enticing ‘cherry’:
first failing to clear the first defender with his attempted cross from the right; then
sending his follow-up attempt too deep and high on the gusting breeze. The
Towners’ goal keeper, Nathan McDonald, was being called upon increasingly; and
he was alert to a long through ball after 24 minutes, getting out quickly to
the edge of his area to snuff out any danger. This was followed by a free kick
awarded to Enfield, 25 yards out, for a
holding offence. It was starting to be the only way The Blues could control
Teniola. Nathan Livings wasted his chance, though, from the resulting free-kick; just one more player guilty of failing to clear the
first defender
After 34 minutes, Town’s RB replacement for Jordan Lockie (Jamie Smyth) was slow setting off to
intercept yet another long through-ball from the home side; and he soon showed his inexperience and naiveté. The result was an exaggerated,
balletic swan-dive with multiple rolls, from Finchley’s #4, Scott Shulton – degree of difficulty 5.6! Shulton's reward for all that hard work? An inevitable first yellow card of the game for Smyth. It looked more than a little harsh; and would (Christmas?) hamper Jamie's ability to play a full part in Enfield’s future defensive rearguard actions.
In the 38th minute, The Blues' #7, David Knight
took a snap shot, following a throw from the left-hand edge of Enfield’s area.
It bobbled awkwardly; but McDonald was still able to deal with it comfortably.
Three minutes later, Campbell failed to control a ball, whilst going forwards; allowing
Finchley to break. Their #9, Rob Laney struck just wide, low to the right of
Enfield’s goal. Three more minutes later, there was a loud inhalation of breath, as
the home crowd obviously thought an opportunistic cross from Enfield’s left had
snuck in between Smith and his near post. Unfortunately for Enfield, it had
not. The wind had caught the ball-in, pushing it into the outside netting, which had duly rippled so deceptively. Town’s forward
line was firing blanks; and the potential advantage of that first-half wind
appeared to have been squandered.
Not long later, the referee appeared to ignore the indicated ‘minimum added
time’ and blew for an early half-time break. There were no complaints from
players or crowd; and the warm ambiance of the clubhouse made a welcome change
for all. The atmosphere inside was much like the bar of many a work's team I have played for
(and against) over the years; and less like a ‘proper’ 7th-tier
side. The effect was most welcoming – and charming. Perhaps unsurprisingly, given
the alternative option, many spectators re-emerged late for the second half from the cosy fug of the club snug.
The pitch and main stand, under second-half floodlights.
Several years ago, I first got into this whole non-league match report malarkey,
when prompted by an e-mail from Grant Treble (a trouble-making British ex-pat, living in Barbados). An article he shared discussed the quality of the
chips served up at various English non-league grounds. Yes, that’s as ludicrous as it sounds. At
Enfield Town's newly refurbished Donkey Lane ground, chips were not even on the menu; but how was I to know that, without first going along to find out? I’ve been going along to watch The
Towners regularly, ever since. Had I realised that chips WERE actually available
in the club room of the Harry Abrahams Stadium on Thursday, then I might have taken an
earlier half-time break, ordered some, reviewed them … and I might then finally have been able to throw off this yoke of non-league responsibility, once and for
all. For now, however, like the mighty Atlas, my heavy burden remains in place.
It was clear from the very start of the second half that it
could well prove costly for Enfield not to have converted that first-half wind advantage
into goals. Or a least a goal; singular! Their long-balls forward were now making far
less headway. The goalie‘s clearances struggled to get over the half-way line.
There was no evident panic, though. Town continued trying to build painstakingly, from the back;
taking the game to their hosts once again. It was in just such a manner that
Enfield won an attacking throw-in on their right, deep inside enemy territory. Whilst that all seemed very promising in theory, its execution, however, was poorly-conceived. A
rapid break-down followed by a Blues break, down their left, saw attack turned quickly, effortlessly and very decidedly into defence, by Enfield. The home side’s Knight spotted Shulton’s unmarked run towards Town’s far post and responded with a practically pin-point pass into his path. Their reward was the easiest of
finishes, driven back across the exposed McDonald; and into the far corner of the Enfield
net. It was not exactly against the run of play; but neither was it WITH it, though.
Town responded admirably; with some quick substitutions, reshaping with fresh legs and weighting
the attack more heavily. Liam Hope came on immediately for Jon Constant; followed
swiftly by Tony Burke for Tyler Campbell. Which left some wondering whether
those changes hadn’t been in the pipe-line already, prior to the goal – and been left just ever so slightly too long before being implemented. With their 1-0 scoreline and head-wind
advantage, the hosts were prepared to stay a little deeper and invite Enfield
onto them. They remained dangerous-looking on the break, however. This all gave Town more attacking opportunities, though;
and, where little goal threat had existed before, Enfield now set up a number
of good chances and half-chances, while riding their luck at the back. It made for
an exciting final 20 minutes, in which both teams could (and probably should)
have scored several.
Conditions were far from ideal for launching a late, second-half counter-offensive.
Town’s best and final chance came from a late, late free kick, taken from right of
centre. The busy Hope flicked the incoming ball skilfully onwards, to his unmarked skipper, #5
Mark Kirby, on the edge of the 6-yard box. With the whole goal gaping in
front of him, Captain Fantastic ... for once fluffed his lines – directing a tame header
straight at The Blues’ goalkeeper, Bobby Smith, who gratefully held onto the
ball on his line, sensibly putting everything carefully behind it, in the swirling eddies of Finchley's very own Mistral.
Photo by Tom Scott: Kirby (Yellow, #5) gets little direction or power on his late header. The clock shows how the sands of time were slipping inexorably away ...
Kirby sensed the game was up
and clutched his head in both his hands. The away fans and coaching staff shared his agony. The ref seemed to feel it, too; and finally
put Enfield’s players and fans out of their now deep-frozen misery, by sounding the
last whistle blast of the match. Cue ecstasy for the few handfuls of home fans. Most of the 331 pairs of frozen feet immediately
trudged, disconsolately, towards their cars. I hoped no-one had missed the
earlier pa warnings to move vehicles out of the rugby club’s car parking areas.
Thus Wingate and Finchley convincingly 'completed the double' over
Town, with home and away wins; harvesting a very healthy TEN points from the twelve possible in the last two seasons. This term they had been lucky enough
to be allocated fixtures, by the central Isthmian League (ahem) 'computer', at times in the season when Enfield were decidedly NOT at their best; but that
is the name of this game. Having taken four points out of six, even in their ‘relegation’
season last year ... well, they are starting to look a little like a bogey team
for us. On this day they truly were Enfield Town's New Year Blues.
A close up of the main stand. A beauty! With shades of the "Atlantic" about her design. A front-row seat gives great (ALMOST uninterrupted) views.
Unfortunately, rather too many of Enfield's players had taken the 5 mph warning signs, posted on the main stand (in red, see above - look carefully!) rather too literally; seeming to have carried this advice with them out onto the somewhat West-to-East-sloping pitch. Especially when facing into that brutal, southerly headwind, in the second half. The result pushes Enfield down to 12th place in the Premier League table - JUST inside the top half; but still only 7 points off the play-off places ... although the Met. Police (currently holding that coveted 5th position) do also have two games 'in hand'.
The away fans had sung valiantly until the very bitter end: “1-0 – cos we was out
last night / 1-0 - cos we was on the p*ss / 1-0… ”. Enfield Town’s players had, indeed, suffered a depressing
New Year’s hangover, then; but at least they were not alone! This
was not the very best of possible starts to 2015 either for The Towners, or for their fans;
but, looking on the bright side, the only way is up, surely! Now, where was I going to
find a store still open on New Year’s Day – and still carrying a decent stock-holding of
paracetamol for sale?
Wingate &
Finchley: Bobby Smith, Mark Goodman, Ronayne Marsh-Brown, Scott
Shulton, Marc Weatherstone, James Kaloczi, David Knight, Tommy Tejan-Sie, Rob
Laney (Stuart Lake 85), Ola Sogbanmu, Kari Oliyide (Richard Graham 70).
Unused Subs: Paul Wright, Harold Joseph, Gavin Suddell.
Booked: Laney
Enfield Town:
Nathan McDonald, Jamie Smyth, Phil Kane, Ryan Doyle, Mark Kirby, Stanley Muguo,
Tyler Campbell (Tony Burke 63), Nathan Livings (Darnell Wynter 75), Alex
Teniola, Jon Constant (Liam Hope 61), Joe Stevens.
Unused Subs: Claudiu Vilcu, Michael Kalu.
Booked : Doyle
