Saturday 1st October, 2016 - Ryman Premier League
After a narrow 2-1 reverse 'on the
road' at Champion Hill in August, in just Enfield’s second league fixture of this season (a
reverse that, unfortunately, would set a sad trend for Town’s early away form) Saturday’s
game would be the first home-and-away fixture completion of the season, for both
teams. Which, on the first day of October, again challenges the logic in play within the fixture "computer". Nevertheless - and despite that early away defeat - Enfield fans will have gone into the game full of optimism. The home side
lay 3rd in the Home form table; and were unbeaten in their last 4
games in total (3 of them in the league); while Dulwich came into the match
with only one win from their last six games. Most of Enfield’s problems lie in
their shocking Away record – in the form table for which they lie second from
last, with just one point so far, from a possible 15 - rather than in their Home results. Only the Metropolitan
Police have worse away league form than Town; and their Chief Commissioner has just
resigned, as a result. The Enfield board had better watch out!
Letsby Avenue: Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe's early retirement; rumours of tension with the London Mayor over the Met. Police's football results. Sadiq Khan offers his views on the benefits of 'the pressing game' - Photo: Telegraph on-line.
Dulwich Hamlet are the league’s
best-supported team, at home; but their travel-shy fans only rank 10th
‘on the road’ (ETFC rank 8th & 6th, respectively).
The day’s crowd turns out to be a disappointing 467, mainly because of Hamlet’s
comparatively poor away attendance. I counted about 40 fans in the away end – although officials from the visiting club
will care little, since away crowds raise no revenue for Ryman League visitors … and “butter
no parsnips”. Despite the low away turn-out, this will still probably turn out to be Enfield’s highest league gate
of the season, by some margin; and they are already out of the FA Cup. If so,
Town must budget their finances based upon income from a maximum league gate of
less than 500 souls; and a current season’s average attendance of just 357. While
Hamlet can, by comparison, budget more lavishly for spend based on an average gate of over
900 – with a maximum to date, this season, of over 1,200. That is a mighty
differential in finances for a club to cope and compete with, in terms of gate
receipts; but we Brits do like an underdog ... or so I’m told.
A Football Mass Murder Mystery? Dulwich's disappearing fans: now you see them (1,200 at home) - now you don't (c. 40 away)!
This Holy Trinity ("football, maths and money") have featured heavily in news of the England manager's role, of late. We are routinely told the common place these days that football is just another business, with big money at its heart. Is it any wonder, then, that there is a slowly growing movement "Against Modern Football", if this is all the game stands for, now? And when some of those at the very top of the game no longer have enough fingers, toes and common sense to know when they are already well enough off?
A Football Mass Murder Mystery? Dulwich's disappearing fans: now you see them (1,200 at home) - now you don't (c. 40 away)!
This Holy Trinity ("football, maths and money") have featured heavily in news of the England manager's role, of late. We are routinely told the common place these days that football is just another business, with big money at its heart. Is it any wonder, then, that there is a slowly growing movement "Against Modern Football", if this is all the game stands for, now? And when some of those at the very top of the game no longer have enough fingers, toes and common sense to know when they are already well enough off?
A recently popular internet 'meme', featuring the former Fat Sam.
Following on from these financial musings, it will probably come as little surprise to hardened fans of The Beautiful Game to find that four of the top eight teams in the Ryman Premier League – a list which currently excludes both Dulwich and Enfield - are also amongst the 6 best supported clubs. Earnings talk on the pitch, it seems; and perhaps that is only right and fitting. Although it does make Bournemouth AFC’s recent achievements in reaching the Premier League seem “inconceivable!”
"... football these days is the opium of the people... Its icon is the impeccably Tory, slavishly conformist Beckham. The Reds are no longer the Bolsheviks. Nobody serious about political change can shirk the fact that the game has to be abolished. And any political outfit that tried it on would have about as much chance of power as the chief executive of BP has in taking over from Oprah Winfrey" - Terry Eagleton ("prominent British literary theorist, critic and public intellectual") in 2011, shortly after BP's massively damaging Deepwater Horizon oil spill and its massively damaging PR fall-out. Once again, poor old football is used as a political, errrm ... football.
Now let's get off this 'soap box' and back to the match-day action! I arrived a little later than planned at the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium. So it was fairly predictable that referee
Mr. Damith Bandara chose today, of all days, to whistle up an early kick-off. As a predictable
result, just after I had passed through the turnstile, a huge roar greeted the
first score of the game; and Harry Ottaway’s name was trumpeted through the PA
system. Enfield had taken an early 1-0 lead; apparently from a “coolly slotted
shot into the bottom corner of the net”. The delight of Town fans was audible - though not yet visible - to me. In fact, a part of me already hoped that I had just missed the only goal of the game. Only a part of me, mind (and I hardly dare tell you which part) which turned out to be just as well.
Following on from these financial musings, it will probably come as little surprise to hardened fans of The Beautiful Game to find that four of the top eight teams in the Ryman Premier League – a list which currently excludes both Dulwich and Enfield - are also amongst the 6 best supported clubs. Earnings talk on the pitch, it seems; and perhaps that is only right and fitting. Although it does make Bournemouth AFC’s recent achievements in reaching the Premier League seem “inconceivable!”
"... football these days is the opium of the people... Its icon is the impeccably Tory, slavishly conformist Beckham. The Reds are no longer the Bolsheviks. Nobody serious about political change can shirk the fact that the game has to be abolished. And any political outfit that tried it on would have about as much chance of power as the chief executive of BP has in taking over from Oprah Winfrey" - Terry Eagleton ("prominent British literary theorist, critic and public intellectual") in 2011, shortly after BP's massively damaging Deepwater Horizon oil spill and its massively damaging PR fall-out. Once again, poor old football is used as a political, errrm ... football.
Not content with scoring that first, early goal, Harry Ottaway (#10, in white) spent the afternoon competing gamely for every aerial ball ... of which there were many!
Perhaps there really is no bad time to score a goal; but the first minute of a match may well be the very least good time. It gives the opposition the optimal opportunity to regroup, recover and relaunch into Plan B; or maybe to just try a little harder at Plan A? Which Dulwich duly did. Enfield's lead had lasted barely more than half an hour. In the 33rd minute, Hamlet's #9 Danny Carr was left unmarked at a cross, to steer a header back across Nathan McDonald from the right of goal and into the left-hand side of the net. It was a goal that been coming for some time. Dulwich's possession and increasing dominance had made Town's 1-0 advantage look too slender. We entered the break with both sides level; but with momentum firmly behind the visitors.
Exciting first half action, in front of the QEII stadium's main stand.
During the interval, Enfield demonstrated how distant they are as a club from Modern Football, by holding an award ceremony for the Enfield Town FC International Trophy. Several games had been played earlier that day by two of the club's teams with learning disabilities, against visiting sides from Germany and Norway. Medals and trophies were awarded by the mayor of Enfield in front of a warm and appreciative crowd.
Home fans "enjoying" the second half action, in the poetically and elegantly named "Property Agents Limited" stand; but where's Preston?
With community development ceremonies duly performed, we were off and running into the second half; during which Enfield's First XI would ensure and endure a mare of a different kind, demonstrating their own level of learning disability. The only half-time change had been Enfield's introduction of Neita for Dickson. With a warm, Autumn sun shining benevolently down, and before the hour mark had been reached, Town conceded a soft penalty, for an offence which nobody (apart from those in blue and pink scarves - plus the referee and his assistant) thought had occurred inside the penalty area. The kick was duly converted, after a short delay, by Dulwich's Ashley Carew. Scoreline: 1-2; and that early Enfield lead was now just a distant memory.
That go-ahead goal came just a few minutes after Hamlet's CB, #5 Matt Drage, had been shown a yellow card for a two-footed lunge on Town's Dernell Wynter. Any other referee might have shown a straight red, despite the lack of meaningful contact. Certainly, to a man, the Enfield supporters would have gladly waved a red card in his boisterously combative face. It is unlikely that Hamlet could have maintained their forward pressure, had they thus been reduced to 10 men. From the resulting Enfield free-kick, skipper Mark Kirby had caused confusion and a scramble in the Dulwich 6-yard box, with an enticing downward header; but Ottaway & Wynter were both, in turn, unable to capitalise on the opportunity arising.
Soon after the Dulwich penalty, Enfield made a double substitution. Parcell & Wynter were replaced by Campbell and Mendy on 66 minutes. Would they have enough time to make a positive impact on the game? Well, not really; but, luckily, that earlier substitute (Neita) did have enough time. In the 80th minute it was he who earned the second penalty kick of the match. He was brought down (clearly inside the box, this time!) by the visitors' skipper, Mark Weatherstone - who was eventually booked for his aggravating, rumbling protest, before Billy Crook finally stepped up confidently to put the ball ...
Enfield #6, Billy Crook takes the all-important penalty.
to Preston Edwards' left - and into the bottom corner of the net, to level the scores again: 2-2.
One point is better than none, of course; but three points are better still, by far. For long periods, Hamlet had looked the more organised and confident side, belying the recent form 'book'. Town's forwards and midfield had pressed as individuals, on occasion; but rarely en masse, or consistently enough to discomfort the Dulwich defensive unit. They have clearly not learned their lesson about the potential benefits of the 'high pressing game' from Match of the Day post-match analysis, yet. Nor from Citizen Khan. Suddenly, and at long last, it was Town's players once again exuding all the confidence and energy on display. Perhaps for the first time since the opening quarter of an hour.
"Photograph": Ed Sheeran ran the line thirstily and in light disguise. Here he earnestly helps to oversee the closing minutes of the game, in his "Shirtsleeves", watching "All of the Stars" - and, perhaps, thinking "Don't".
There was still plenty of excitement for the home crowd and "Ed" to savour, as Enfield enjoyed much the better of the closing exchanges. The best chance fell to Tony Mendy, shortly after the penalty; but he could only lob tamely when through with just the 'keeper, at the edge of his area, to beat. Preston breathed an almost audible, deep sigh of relief. It was a game that had swung first one way and then to the other cliché. A 2-2 draw and a point each was probably just a bout fair, on reflection; but Enfield could so easily have secured all three. They remain unbeaten at home, though; which could be a big psychological advantage for the club to build upon. If only they could now just get their away form sorted out.
Meanwhile, in international football news, FIFA has shocked the world by adopting a cheaper 5-star hotel in Zurich for its latest shin-dig than its former home-away-from-home, the now-infamous, and ever-so-luxurious Baur au Lac hotel. Fans of The Beautiful Game need not worry, though. No money will be saved; because the group invited to attend has risen from 24 (the old discredited FIFA executive committee) to a new, extended, soon-to-be-discredited group of 36. Much as Sepp's love-child, Gianni Infantino, now plans to extend participation in the World Cup finals (TM) to 48 teams. At a time when the Finals are already an over-bloated, logistical nightmare, do you think this planned extension could possibly be anything to do with income (i.e. money), by any chance? (see: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/oct/05/fifa-hotel-baur-au-lac-move-zurich-raid)
Enfield Town:
Nathan McDonald, Percy Kiangebeni, Ricky Gabriel, Jon Muleba, Mark Kirby, Billy Crook, Mickey Parcell (Tyler Campbell 66), Samir Bihmoutine, Keir Dickson (Nigel Neita 46),Harry Ottaway, Dernell Wynter (Tony Mendy 66). Unused: Jordan Lockie, Tom Collins. Booked: McDonald, Kiangebeni.
Dulwich Hamlet:
Preston Edwards, Sanchez Ming, Nathan Green, Kenny Beaney, Matt Drage, Marc Weatherstone, Nyren Clunis, Ashley Carew, Daniel Carr (Alex Teniola 59), Gavin Tomlin (Kadell Daniel 75) Ibra Sekaja. Unused: Kevin James, Michael Chambers, Sean Mason. Booked: Beaney, Drage, Weatherstone.
Perhaps there really is no bad time to score a goal; but the first minute of a match may well be the very least good time. It gives the opposition the optimal opportunity to regroup, recover and relaunch into Plan B; or maybe to just try a little harder at Plan A? Which Dulwich duly did. Enfield's lead had lasted barely more than half an hour. In the 33rd minute, Hamlet's #9 Danny Carr was left unmarked at a cross, to steer a header back across Nathan McDonald from the right of goal and into the left-hand side of the net. It was a goal that been coming for some time. Dulwich's possession and increasing dominance had made Town's 1-0 advantage look too slender. We entered the break with both sides level; but with momentum firmly behind the visitors.
Exciting first half action, in front of the QEII stadium's main stand.
During the interval, Enfield demonstrated how distant they are as a club from Modern Football, by holding an award ceremony for the Enfield Town FC International Trophy. Several games had been played earlier that day by two of the club's teams with learning disabilities, against visiting sides from Germany and Norway. Medals and trophies were awarded by the mayor of Enfield in front of a warm and appreciative crowd.
With community development ceremonies duly performed, we were off and running into the second half; during which Enfield's First XI would ensure and endure a mare of a different kind, demonstrating their own level of learning disability. The only half-time change had been Enfield's introduction of Neita for Dickson. With a warm, Autumn sun shining benevolently down, and before the hour mark had been reached, Town conceded a soft penalty, for an offence which nobody (apart from those in blue and pink scarves - plus the referee and his assistant) thought had occurred inside the penalty area. The kick was duly converted, after a short delay, by Dulwich's Ashley Carew. Scoreline: 1-2; and that early Enfield lead was now just a distant memory.
That go-ahead goal came just a few minutes after Hamlet's CB, #5 Matt Drage, had been shown a yellow card for a two-footed lunge on Town's Dernell Wynter. Any other referee might have shown a straight red, despite the lack of meaningful contact. Certainly, to a man, the Enfield supporters would have gladly waved a red card in his boisterously combative face. It is unlikely that Hamlet could have maintained their forward pressure, had they thus been reduced to 10 men. From the resulting Enfield free-kick, skipper Mark Kirby had caused confusion and a scramble in the Dulwich 6-yard box, with an enticing downward header; but Ottaway & Wynter were both, in turn, unable to capitalise on the opportunity arising.
Soon after the Dulwich penalty, Enfield made a double substitution. Parcell & Wynter were replaced by Campbell and Mendy on 66 minutes. Would they have enough time to make a positive impact on the game? Well, not really; but, luckily, that earlier substitute (Neita) did have enough time. In the 80th minute it was he who earned the second penalty kick of the match. He was brought down (clearly inside the box, this time!) by the visitors' skipper, Mark Weatherstone - who was eventually booked for his aggravating, rumbling protest, before Billy Crook finally stepped up confidently to put the ball ...
to Preston Edwards' left - and into the bottom corner of the net, to level the scores again: 2-2.
One point is better than none, of course; but three points are better still, by far. For long periods, Hamlet had looked the more organised and confident side, belying the recent form 'book'. Town's forwards and midfield had pressed as individuals, on occasion; but rarely en masse, or consistently enough to discomfort the Dulwich defensive unit. They have clearly not learned their lesson about the potential benefits of the 'high pressing game' from Match of the Day post-match analysis, yet. Nor from Citizen Khan. Suddenly, and at long last, it was Town's players once again exuding all the confidence and energy on display. Perhaps for the first time since the opening quarter of an hour.
"Photograph": Ed Sheeran ran the line thirstily and in light disguise. Here he earnestly helps to oversee the closing minutes of the game, in his "Shirtsleeves", watching "All of the Stars" - and, perhaps, thinking "Don't".
There was still plenty of excitement for the home crowd and "Ed" to savour, as Enfield enjoyed much the better of the closing exchanges. The best chance fell to Tony Mendy, shortly after the penalty; but he could only lob tamely when through with just the 'keeper, at the edge of his area, to beat. Preston breathed an almost audible, deep sigh of relief. It was a game that had swung first one way and then to the other cliché. A 2-2 draw and a point each was probably just a bout fair, on reflection; but Enfield could so easily have secured all three. They remain unbeaten at home, though; which could be a big psychological advantage for the club to build upon. If only they could now just get their away form sorted out.
Meanwhile, in international football news, FIFA has shocked the world by adopting a cheaper 5-star hotel in Zurich for its latest shin-dig than its former home-away-from-home, the now-infamous, and ever-so-luxurious Baur au Lac hotel. Fans of The Beautiful Game need not worry, though. No money will be saved; because the group invited to attend has risen from 24 (the old discredited FIFA executive committee) to a new, extended, soon-to-be-discredited group of 36. Much as Sepp's love-child, Gianni Infantino, now plans to extend participation in the World Cup finals (TM) to 48 teams. At a time when the Finals are already an over-bloated, logistical nightmare, do you think this planned extension could possibly be anything to do with income (i.e. money), by any chance? (see: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/oct/05/fifa-hotel-baur-au-lac-move-zurich-raid)
Enfield Town:
Nathan McDonald, Percy Kiangebeni, Ricky Gabriel, Jon Muleba, Mark Kirby, Billy Crook, Mickey Parcell (Tyler Campbell 66), Samir Bihmoutine, Keir Dickson (Nigel Neita 46),Harry Ottaway, Dernell Wynter (Tony Mendy 66). Unused: Jordan Lockie, Tom Collins. Booked: McDonald, Kiangebeni.
Dulwich Hamlet:
Preston Edwards, Sanchez Ming, Nathan Green, Kenny Beaney, Matt Drage, Marc Weatherstone, Nyren Clunis, Ashley Carew, Daniel Carr (Alex Teniola 59), Gavin Tomlin (Kadell Daniel 75) Ibra Sekaja. Unused: Kevin James, Michael Chambers, Sean Mason. Booked: Beaney, Drage, Weatherstone.
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