Enfield Town F.C. versus Felixstowe & Walton United F. C.
On a day that is a mathematical palindrome of sorts (or something!? - 14/9/14) I sit down to write a match report on a game that offered a resolution to some other gripping number problems. A knock-out football tournament, after all, is living proof that two-into-one just won't go - as the Ancient Babylonians, Egyptians and Greeks all knew only too well. This particular football-maths event, at least, was also a test of how much difference there is in 9-minus-7 - the respective tiers these two competing teams occupy in English football's league pyramid system.
Firstly, it is advisable to read my all-important pre-match prologue ("The Magic of the Cup? - Part I", see the previous entry, at the end of this post, below) before launching into this post-match report and all its associated philosophical musings; but it's a free world (at least in parts, still) so please yourself! The BBC (bless 'em!) were listing this fixture on their Sport webpage as taking place at The Goldsdown Road, a 'stadium' whose rusting doors Enfield Town Football Club have not darkened in nearly 3 years, now. So just forget those BBC amateurs. At last you've found proper coverage of non-league football. Welcome home! You've clearly come to the RIGHT place. A short note on camera memory might be helpful, here. Eagle-eyed regular readers of this page may notice a reduced image quality from my normal "very high standard", in some of today's photos. This is due to highly technical memory capacity issues. Mine, that is; NOT the camera's. The latter stayed at home for a welcome and well-earned, if unexpected, break from football action. Doh! While my 'phone had to fill the void. Badly.
Having worried myself with some un-nerving pre-match research into today's visitors ("The Seasiders" of Felixstowe & Walton United Football Club, from two steps down the English football pyramid) and their recent form (fairly impressive, especially on the road, especially in North London and especially against supposedly superior opposition) I approached today's game with some trepidation. After Town's own recent erratic form (W2; L2) I decided that a change of route to the ground might bring a (positive) change of fortune. Football fans can be a superstitious bunch; willing to try almost anything to secure success for their team. So I took a previously unused series of alleyways and crossed the New River a little South of my normal bridging point. Yes, you may well laugh at the planning that goes into these sorts of preparations; but it is upon such fine, footballing details that success is often gained and/or lost, "at this level".
In their previous outing on Non-League Day, billed on the club website as "Saturday 5th September" (sic - it was, of course, the 6th) The Seasiders had crushed another East Coast seaside town's home team - Norfolk's very own Gorleston F.C. - 2-0. Despite a more than fair run of recent form, F&WUFC were evidently watched (at least some of the time) by the proverbial "three 'men' and a dog" ... scowling; and captured standing beside what was perhaps a descriptive or subliminal message hoarding - according to an image from their website match report.
As I turned right, after heading north-bound - rather than taking my normal left turn, after heading south-bound - off Ladysmith Road, I sauntered in dappled, mellow, Autumnal sunshine, down the leafy cut-through which leads past Enfield Ignatians RFC to the car park and turnstiles of the QEII Stadium; the home of North London football. At first I sensed - and later I could hear, from the animated crowd noises and the sharp blasts of a whistle, that I was going to miss the kick-off. Either I was late arriving at the ground (and I don't for a moment rule out this possibility) because of my hopeful, fortune-seeking, new route to the stadium, or the game was starting early. Either way, I missed the warm-ups and the first couple of minutes of action - and the chance to buy a match programme. It seems as though, for the visit of smaller clubs, ETFC officials reduce the size of the print run ordered. Certainly I've experienced this situation on a number of previous occasions; although, to be fair, that seems like common practice both home and away. While that may be a sensible move financially, it leaves some fans unable to read the platitudes of the club chairman and manager; pining for the small ads of local businesses and the player profiles of the visiting team in hard copy format, which they've probably already reviewed on-line, before the game. Fortunately, I didn't miss any goals, however. Apparently just a first-minute effort from Corey Whitely, which was blocked.
... I did, however, miss this impromptu, pre-match 'Hokey-Cokey'. Officials on the Enfield bench collectively and spontaneously turned their backs (some also folded their arms) so unbearably embarrassing a spectacle was it to watch.
At first it was difficult to see much away support at the visitors' end - and not just because of the dazzling, low sun in the late-summer sky. I could make out just nine lonely figures in and around the "SH Property" stand - and there was no sign of that dog. This might have been a signal that The Seasiders don't really have much of a travelling 'firm'; orperhaps it might just have been that those normally hardy and faithful souls had decided the result of this fixture was already a foregone conclusion - and not worth the hassle of the long return trek down the A12 from Suffolk and back. Certainly with three key, regular players missing ('keeper Jamie Stannard, midfielder Sheridan Driver and forward Bradley Barber) the welcome return of Stuart Ainsley and player-coach Danny Bloomfield to their roster may not have looked like sufficient reinforcement with which to take on higher-ranked opponents. The Cup, however, has been known to turn up surprising results.
"Is - that all - you - take - away?"
Lost in Transalation? A small bevvy of unfamiliar red and white shirts, discovered in the Town end. Were they really checking their 'phones for GPS directions to the 'correct' away end?
In a hectic opening phase, for the first 15 minutes the action was almost all around the visitors' goal. Amongst several well-worked, attacking Enfield moves, defensive midfielder #6 Stanley Muguo roamed forward and, in his normal, deceptively languid manner, drove a spanking effort against the crossbar, with the diminutive visiting replacement goal keeper, Adam Dawson, rooted to the spot. Town's industrious #10, Corey Whitley, was seeking and finding a lot of the ball in these early stages; but unfortunately, several times, he got himself into a tangle, tripping over his own feet, or over the ball, after finding promising-looking space. Ryan Doyle then also fired an effort against the Seasiders' bar, after a Campbell free kick. The Felixstowe club were decidedly under the cosh; and my hopeful flutter on the golden goal (a randomly-selected 40th minute) was looking unlikely to pay dividends. Surely goals would come flooding in, long before that stage of the game. One wag in the home end, offered some friendly support to the away team's guardian: "It's gonna be a long afternoon, keeper; you've got through the first 10 minutes, though". So small and young did the Seasiders' goalie appear to some home fans, that a traditional refrain was wittily adapted at one of his early goal-kicks. As he ran up and skied the ball: "ooooooooOOOOOOHHHHH - you're twelve, aaaarrrrggghh!". Shortly afterwards, as Dawson gathered one threatening through-ball cleanly, a home fan begrudgingly acknowledge that his effort had been "Not bad, for a little 'un!". A funny enough observation under most circumstances, in a non-league football context; but funnier still, when uttered at loud volume, in a high-pitched voice, by an 8-year old.
One 8-year old (centre, at railing) congratulates another (in yellow jersey, right).
The visitors' website post-match report later bemoaned the portents for their big day in the (comparative) spotlight: "Sometimes you get the feeling it’s not going to be your day and in the 9th minute ... Nathan McDonald [Enfield's GK] had to stretch at the far post as the ball dipped to turn it over for a corner. With defenders taking up their defensive positions at the posts the referee pointed for a goal kick, much to the surprise of both sets of players". To be candid, this was about as much as the away fans had to get excited about, in the early exchanges; and it was also a reflection of the typical standard of officiating 'at this level'. It was very good of the referee, Wayne Cartmel of Cumbria, to have come so far to help out; but, as usual, it hardly seemed to have been worth his while, given all of the effort required and his apparently failing eye-sight. And as for his "assistants"? Don't get me started! One of these, in particular, seemed over-awed by his responsibilities on this big occasion; clearly lacking confidence in his own capabilities, delaying raising his flag until he knew which way the ref had already passed judgment - and, when forced to adjudicate for himself, getting even the simplest of throw-in decisions consistently wrong, from the earliest moments of the game. Needless to say, nobody in the home crowd was in the least surprised, or amused, at this state of affairs. Normal service had simply been resumed. Their ridicule probably didn't help, though, either: "You don't - know what - you're do - ing!"
After 16 minutes, Enfield's #8, Nathan Livings, collected a ball 40 yards out, after some untidy midfield play from the visitors had lost them possession once again. With passing options to both his left and his right, Livings chose to go it alone, drilling a low shot across Dawson, from just right of centre, about 16 yards out. If he got his strike wrong, he would face the wrath of both those team-mates. Fortunately for all concerned on the home side, he comfortably found the inside of the net to the left of the goal. Town's players celebrated fairly reservedly, in front of chanting home fans; but it was clear they were relieved to have at last made their early pressure count. Were the home fans counting un-hatched chickens, as they joyfully sang "We're the famous Enfield Towners and we're going to Wem-ble-y; Wem-ber-leee! - Wem-ber-leee!"?
After 20 minutes, Town's keeper McDonald had to get down quickly to cut out a threatening ball across his area from Hewitt, with the visitors' captain, #10 Cranfield, lurking dangerously at the far post. After 24 minutes, their player-coach was guilty of a bad, late foul on Town goal-scorer Livings, in the centre about 25 yards out. A free kick was given; but it was the guilty party, Bloomfield, who came out of it worst off, appearing to get his studs caught in the playing surface (or Livings's flesh? - it was difficult to tell). Bloomfield stayed down for several minutes, receiving treatment and was to play no further part in the game, immediately limping off to be replaced by the surprisingly youthful-looking 18-year-old, #15 Ryan Birchfield. While play was halted, the Seasiders' #3, the experienced Stuart Ainsley, received bad news from one member of the home crowd, as he strolled deep into the goal net to retrieve a drink bottle and gulp down some fluids: "You're in trouble, Stuart; we know your name now". Somebody had obviously arrived early enough to get a programme and check off the team sheet on the wall by the club shop. Ainsley looked up and gave a resigned smile; appearing to implicitly acknowledge that his side was now facing a daunting uphill struggle. Luckily for Stuart and his team-mates, at the re-start, Liam Hope curled his effort just to the right of the right-hand post from the resultant free kick.
In the 28th minute, Whitely's trickery saw him ghost past several defenders, cutting both ways and into the area, where he was unceremoniously tripped by somebody else's feet, rather than his own, for once. The well-placed Mr. Cartmel of Cumbria clearly saw the incident - and gave neither the obvious penalty, nor the yellow card for "simulation" which should have been its obverse. Referee's, eh!? Cue howls of derision and, once again, the unkind (if largely true) "You don't - know what - you're do - ing!"
Despite the referee's best efforts, Enfield had total control, most of the possession and plenty of time on the ball, against clearly inferior opposition. All that was required was a second goal to, surely, kill the game off. A number of chances duly came Enfield's way. And went Felixstowe's! Muguo, Livings and Whitely were all guilty of wasting decent opportunities to extend that narrow Town lead. On 45 minutes the callow away sub, Birchfield, caught Enfield's LB, #2 Jordan Lockie, in mid-air with a late studs-first challenge. Though probably not malicious (a charitable opinion might allow that the challenge resulted from the youngster not yet being fully up to speed with the pace of the game) it was the clearest of yellow card offences, at the very least. Possibly more? It received just a stern talking-to for both the lad and his captain from the referee. Fulham FC's latest débutant, Matt Smith, was dismissed for less (and, arguably, with more provocation) at the Madejski stadium, on the same day; but I'm not bitter. Oh no!
With half-time looming - and deep into time added - a 49th-minute Enfield corner (their 7th of the half) was floated in from the right with precision by #7 Tyler Campbell's sweet left foot. Skipper Mark Kirby had plenty of time and space to judge his run to perfection, to soar, float and deliver an unchallenged, towering header downwards and into the visitors' goal, between the keeper and a defender standing on the goal line, near the right-hand post. Finally some breathing space: 2-0; and the cue for some strutting, chest-thrusting, fist-pumping celebrations from The Towners' inspirational #5, CB and lead-by-example captain. The 1st half ended with the visitors in need of some reorganisation and refocussing - not unlike the camera on my 'phone.
The 2nd half started more evenly balanced. Five minutes in and Town's McDonald had to come early and get down fast to collect a through ball at an opponent's feet, just inside the edge of his box. The visitors had clearly not yet given up all hope of reducing that 2-goal deficit; but the taking of chances is key to success. At the other end, Whitely (whose recent form has, reportedly, been attracting the attention of both Stevenage and Reading - regular readers of this blog page will, no doubt, NOT be surprised to hear this rumour, given Whitely's influence on and importance to the Enfield side - energetically chased a through ball into the right of the Seasiders' penalty area. Shoved by the chasing #7, Ryan Clark, as he reached the ball, Whitely showed solidity and strength to stay standing up, only to be fouled again by the same player, as he turned and prepared to strike an effort on goal. The away club's match report said the resulting "yellow card for Clark seemed harsh as he appeared to make a genuine attempt for the ball". It doesn't mention the previous contact, nor Clark's histrionic reaction to the referee's awarding of a (clear) penalty, nor the petulant man-handling Mr. Cartmel then endured. "Off! Off! OFF! OFF!". Cartmel's continued leniency signaled Clark's good luck; but there was none for Dawson, as Liam Hope fired home the spot kick, high to his left, beyond the keeper's despairing, flailing dive: 3-0. "Ba-aarrns-lee! It's just like watch-ing Barns-ley!"
Enfield continued to dominate play. There was little reaction from Felixstowe as they watched their (slim?) chances of FA Cup progression seep away. Town should have added a 4th after 58 minutes, when Whitely and Hope were frustrated first by Dawson's rapid reactions in racing off his line and then by #5 Rhys Barber, who kept calm and carried on as a looping effort gave him time to cover his keeper's hasty advance out of his area. Enfield's manager, Brad Quinton, clearly felt the lead and superiority were comfortable enough to ring the changes. He gave some valuable first team pitch experience to débutant Theo Jones, after 67 minutes, in a straight swap for solid RB Jordan Lockie. By now, Enfield could (should?) have already been several more goals clear of their tiring opponents. After 71 minutes, Jamie Smith came on for the relatively quiet Michael Kalu, adding a more muscular presence up front. Mitch Hahn also replaced the lively Nathan Livings after 75 minutes when, presumably, all risk was considered spent from the game,
Liam Hope's persistence saw him latch onto a through ball after 74 minutes, in the central channel. His clumsy control was only marginally better than Clark's clumsy challenge from behind and to his right.. Hope went to ground to earn what was, to be fair, a soft second penalty award. Up went the shout from the home supporters again; more in jest than in earnest this time: "Off! Off! OFF! OFF!". Referee Cartmel duly obliged, flourishing a second yellow card, to be swiftly followed by a red one; and signalling 'an early bath' for the visitors' naïve #7. The slightly stunned crowd went silent in surprise and relief, after an initial, derisory cheer. Hope despatched the spot kick again, although this time to his right, with Dawson getting finger tips to the ball. Enfield now had a 4-0 lead; against tiring 10-man opposition; from 2 leagues below. The result finally looked fairly secure. It was even more so, when Hope added his third to make it 5-0, sending a fine strike through a crowd of players, after receiving an inside pass centrally, from the promising-looking sub LB, Jones. That hat-trick goal for Hope apparently puts him just one goal behind 'club legend' Rudi Hall (who retired as recently as the end of the promotion-winning 2011-'12 season) at the top of the club's all-time leading goalscorer list. A list he will, surely, soon enough bestride, like a mighty, mercurial colossus. The five-goal margin of the match was not unduly flattering to the home side.
Oops! Clark (in red, #7) gives the referee yet another (incorrect?) decision to make; and also gives Hope (white, #9) another chance of edging further towards coveted club top-scorer status.
So that tricky FA Cup banana skin had been avoided with aplomb. The gulf in class duly demonstrated. The Seasiders' match report acknowledged they had "never really matched their higher league hosts for skill" (not an attribute Enfield's players are too frequently accused of) before going on to state the obvious: that "Wembley was never a likelihood in this competition", No sh*t, Sherlock! Although we can all dream, I suppose. The Suffolk club's honest endeavour was never going to be anything like enough, on its own; and even that effort waned, as time wore on and the junior club's players tired. Before the game, our manager had told local reporters “It would be fantastic for the boys if we could have a good run. I’ve played in sides who’ve made it through to the first round and have come up against Tranmere Rovers and Shrewsbury Town. It’s just a massive buzz taking to the field in games like that, and I would love for the boys to get that sort of experience.” Towners fans will now be hoping that a lucrative cup run might, indeed, see them edge towards the glittering allure of mighty Football League opponents. That would help to finance a much-needed squad building exercise. How might such opposition fare at the daunting Donkey-Drome? Perhaps the giants of Carlise, Exeter, Oxford or Accrington may come a-calling soon, so that we can find out? Then again, perhaps not.
A helpful note to Margate fans: spot the difference.
One consolation for North London's finest was the news that Tuesday evening's scheduled league opponents ('high-flying' Margate FC) had failed to dispatch lowly, local Kent rivals, Folkestone Invicta, in their FA Cup tie on the same day. That high-profile failure requires a Tuesday night replay of their match; postponing our planned mid-week league clash and increasing the Kent side's early-season fixture congestion issues, at least a little. It also puts off our league meeting until, perhaps, Margate's early-season form has faded a little - and also until, perhaps, Brad Quinton has secured some much-needed reinforcements for his squad. We live in Hope - as ever. Come on, you Towners!
More non-league news to follow soon, sports fans.
Towners: Nathan McDonald, Jordan Lockie (Theo Jones 67), Joe Stevens, Ryan Doyle, Mark Kirby, Stan Muguo, Tyler Campbell, Nathan Livings (Mitch Hahn 75), Liam Hope, Corey Whitley, Michael Kalu (Jamie Smith 71)
Unused: Luke Illsley, Phil Kane, Brad Quinton
Seasiders: Adam Dawson, Lewis Pemberton, Stuart Ainsley, Josh Hewitt, Rhys Barber, Dan Davis, Ryan Clark, Matt McKenzie, Danny Bloomfield (Ryan Birchfield 26 – Jamie Cole 75), Ben Cranfield, Tom Dew.
Unused Matt West, James Ross, Paul Cudworth.
Referee: Wayne Cartmel – Cumbria.
Assistants (an over-statement, in their case): Thomas Harkin, Matt Borg.
Attendance: 286
