(Ryman League Premier Division) 4th December 1999

Enfield (0) 0
Gravesend & Northfleet (1) 1 Stadhart 41

'...and we didn't even have a fat lady who could sing'.

Without the incentive of the cup run to play for, Enfield and their supporters experienced massive withdrawal symptoms as they returned to the Ryman League. This was quite simply put, an awful display. A dismal attendance of 232 and long before the end the bitter accusations as to who was to blame for the mess on and off the pitch had begun. Most say Lazarou is to blame, though contrary to popular belief, he could not be blamed for the cold. Half the players came in for equal stick for not matching the consistency of their cup performances, whilst Enfield Council were also slated for agreeing to the sale of the ground and wiping their hands of the club after the Task force recommendations.

There was little of note to capture the imagination in the opening half, other than to note that Fleet's No.6 Craig Wilkins liked to put himself about a bit. Referee Chittenden was quite unwilling to deal with what was a physical opposition job on Enfield, which hardly endeared him to the Enfield faithful. Well actually "faithful" might be not the right word, for in all my years of supporting Enfield I've never seen those around me turn on the side in such a manner, especially as not four days ago it had been PNE in the cup. Before the interval Stadhart put Gravesend & Northfleet ahead as he headed home a cross from the left.

Dunwell, Tomlinson and then Bunn had opportunities to level the game. Bunn in particular came in for some unwelcome criticism for his performances of late. The player nearly converted after getting on the end of a hopeful cross to the far post, but his effort was blocked by the keeper and earned more abuse. What good does that do? Dunwell was mugged on the edge of the box (ie. flattened) by keeper Knight, but incredibly, the decision went the other way! This, and other equally baffling decisions led to the referee and his henchmen given police escort from the pitch. More importance to the man in black than he deserved. Rattray, in the final moments spured a chance to level the game when his header flashed past the post.

(F.A.Trophy 2nd Round Replay) 7th December 1999

Newport IoW (0) 0, 1 Wright 94
Enfield (0) 0, 0

OMG!!! Match report seems to have been lost on the ferry back home. Sorry guys. It sounded poor anyway.

(Ryman League Premier Division) 14th December 1999

Hampton & Richmond Borough 2 Flitter; Rouco.
Enfield 1 Morris s/o Hall

If the truth be told, I'm just waiting for Hampton to post their match report so I can link. You see, I cannot get to evening games now... home ones especially.

(Ryman League Premier Division) 18th December 1999

Enfield (0) 1 Dunwell 48
Canvey Island (0) 1 Jones 55

A much improved Enfield performance and, finally, the points total is moving again. Richard Dunwell's quick reaction stab home was matched by Jones opportunist strike past an unbalanced keeper off his line. Referee Mr. I Williamson had an absolute stinker, along with linesmen who made some quite mystifying decisions. Canvey will of course claim that they had two - maybe three justifiable penalty decisions refused in the meantime.

Enfield looked up for it from the start. Moran forced two excellent saves from Harrison in succession whilst Dunwell and then Alleyne went close. Alleyne's run at the Canvey defence had the player clean through with a shot on keeper, but the player baffled everyone by trying to beat the last defender again and the ball was cleared to safety. Canvey came back into the game with two penalty claims, followed by a header wide from Jones and a humorous celebration of a goal that never was with Hall saving on the line.

Richard Dunwell started the second half in fine style, following up a fumbled Harrison save in the sand to convert from close range. However, the lead was short lived as Andy Jones soon took advantage of a poorly cleared lunge at the ball by keeper Hall, who was well out of position to stop the equaliser. From here on in it was Enfield looking for a winner, with Rattray and a defender contesting for the final touch on the line from a goalbound header. Morgan did everything but provide the final telling pass with Canvey's defence trailing, whilst Alleyne in the final ten minutes and the Harrison to beat, failed miserably to even test the keeper with a shot.

The man in black and his henchmen continued to give some strange decisions. A corner that never was, followed by over-fussy free kick placing that earned bookings and derision from Enfield's end of the ground. Rattray, when the kick was finally allowed to be taken stuck out a leg and the ball was clutched to his chest by an ever grateful Harrison. Five minutes into injury time E's substitute Clarke went on the same mazy run forged by Alleyne down the left earlier, with Harrison providing the same result.

And not a trumpeter in sight. Was it something I said, Fred?

(Ryman League Premier Division) 27th December 1999

St. Albans City (2) 5 Protheroe OG 12, Randall 45, Andrews 47, Piper 57, Haworth 90
Enfield (0) 0

Not taking the gloss off a thumping win by City, but the game hinged on some appalling defensive blunders by the Enfield defence. In order there was (1) an own goal, (2) a debatable corner decision leading to an even more debatable off side, (3) a defensive lapse leading to an easy third, (4) Hall flapping at a cross with the ball falling to an opponent boot and finally (5) a repeat of (3). Yes, Enfield really were quite dire and it's worrying to say that it's the norm now. What a way to finish the year.

The programme notes made for some very interesting reading. St. Albans City Chairman Lee Harding explained the ground sharing agreement in place with Enfield using Clarence Park. The original arrangement being October and November. It is known that Harding's colleagues on the board do not agree with our free use of the ground, so Harding attempted to contact Lazarou. Not suprisingly, he is still awaiting a return call.