(Ryman Premier League) 19th September 1998

Enfield (3) 3 Dunwell 27, 34; Penn 42
Walton & Hersham (0) 2 Johnson 49; bloke with a funny name 77

20/20 vision had returned for this, what was labelled a six-pointer during a conversation with a total stranger in the social club before the game. Well, that may be overstating the current league position of this club, but the team still needed to get their finger out - so to speak - and get a few points on the board.

Enfield got off to the best of starts, with the returning John Richardson coming close to executing the perfect lob over the advancing Preddie as both sets of supporters changed to their respective ends. And that was the mood for the first half, with Enfield dominating for long periods but with little to show for their efforts. At least, that was until Preddie came out to collect a through ball with Dunwell closing in. Fumbling the ball horribly, Dunwell was quick to latch on to the opportunity to flick the ball with his back to goal over his right shoulder and into the net. Soon after, Andy Pape started off the move which resulted in Dunwell adding a second after finding himself clear of his marker and with only the keeper to stop him.

Pick an Enfield player to score from a corner and the obvious choice would be Steve Terry. So what was Russell Penn doing, getting on the end of a corner in Terry territory? so 3-0 it was. After last Saturday's disaster with the paint in the social club gents I took my business elsewhere, so off I wobbled to make use of the school end facilities. But what was this? sober and aware of my surroundings I discovered that there were no wash facilities. Must have had something to do with the fact that after Saracens left the big toilet was cut into two and the ladies got custody of the sinks.

The teams turned round at 3-0 with Walton & Hersham looked quite ragged and prone to the cheap chant ('you're not Ajax in disguise'). So it was a surprise... no... it was A MIRACLE when Johnson converted at the school end of the ground on 49 minutes. Dunwell had a couple of chances to complete his second home hat trick of the season before being substituted (not sure why). Soon after there was another wobble in the Enfield defence and only the post halted the Hersham boys' comeback.
The mutterings of discontent that greeted the arrival of Courtney Naylor grew as Walton & Hersham continued to grow in confidence. Naylor is the current boo boy for the team's form, but whilst his performance was scrutinised and torn to pieces, I wondered if those that judged would like it if Naylor turned up at their workplace and give them a bit of jib for a bad days work. Ten minutes of ridicule over stacked shelves or illegible paperwork would be enough I think.

With all this negitivity flying around, Hersham pinched another goal late on to send their eight (yes, I counted them) fans wild with delight, and make the final ten minutes very uncomfortable indeed. Penn had an exellent chance to put the win beyond doubt after a mazy run had taken him into the box. With Preddie to beat he shot wide to the right. A late final penalty appeal at the other end of the ground had the Hersham boys rather animated, though the best the referee could offer was a tip to watch the lottery draw tonight for a glimpse of Dolly Parton's cleavage.

(Ryman Premier League) 23rd September 1998

Enfield (2) 4 Jones 28; Bentley 37; Penn 48; Naylor 79
Heybridge Swifts (0) 1 Reeve 85

Lessons were heeded as Enfield established a three goal lead early in the second half and retained it to the end. Heybridge Swifts - with probably the smallest ever following of travelling supporters ever to be seen at Southbury Road - did not represent much of a threat once Danny Jones had converted a Morgan cross on the half hour. Shortly afterwards, Bentley squeezed a second past the *popular* figure of Kingsley Banks in the Swifts goal for a second. Swifts were also playing a man short for the best part of an hour, the departure of the villian of the piece being a popular decision. Dunwell's quick reaction from an instinct save from Banks fizzed wide in the dying moments of the half.

Unlike the previous Saturday, Enfield took the initiative in the opening stages of the second half to extend their lead. After Richardson had forced Banks into making a fine block save at the base of his post, the resulting corner was headed on, and Penn had the easiest of chances to score at the near post.

Courtney Naylor made the field of play as a second-half substitute, and was slightly chuffed to make the scoresheet via his head. Swift's consolation goal hardly created a ripple of applause, save for some ironic cheering from the home end. At this stage the anti-Essex jokes bought about a confused statement from a passer by, who told all who would listen that his favourite 70's film was Stardust, and that he thought Gonna Make You A Star was his favourite record of all time. Oh yeah, Y..A..W..N.. that was really funny mate.

And what of Kingsley Banks after match celebrations this time? Our ex stirred it up last season after that 'orrible loss in Essex by 4-1. For those at the match, the celebrations in front of the home fans were just a little bit extreme. Banks left the field of play after a barrage of abuse tonight, and will not be doing any repeat performances in a hurry.

(Ryman Premier League) 26th September 1998

Harrow Borough 0
Enfield 0

After conceeding ten goals to the Boro last season, one point looks good on paper. Those who complained that our opponents are currently hovering on the relegation zone, and should have been beaten would take heart in the fact that Harrow are surely going to recover their form soon, so we caught them at the right time.

The first half I would just rather forget about. From the spectator's point of view there was nothing at all to get excited about, save for John Lawford's booking that had the visiting supporters calling for red. Things would get better in the second half.

With the weather looking as if it was about to close in I took shelter under the covered touchline shelter. After spending a lifetime watching Enfield from behind the goal my eyes have been opened as I was able to see a lot more action that I ever would from my usual position. Standout players from the half were John Morgan and Danny Jones. Morgan was in the thick of the action down the right, but had the annoying habit of falling over the ball a lot. Jones gave Annon a chance for the opening goal, which the player just managed to screw wide. Bentley tested Hook with a long range attempt, as Pape bought off a magnificent save to deny Gavin giving Harrow an undeserved lead, then saved low to his left in the last few minutes.