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(Pre Season Friendly) 20th July 1999
Enfield (0) 3 OG 65, Clarke 67, Allen 80
Romford (0) 0
Some things never change. Changing ends at half time (and being caught short after the post
match drink) led me to take on the watery world of the gents toilet by the main terraces. You
know the ones I mean - just follow your nose after entering the ground and you are there.
It never fails to amuse me how there is nearly always a snack van just outside. So anyway,
doing the business and then zipping up, it occoured to me that this very gents toilet kinda
summed up the current plight of Enfield FC. It was probably a very nice breeze block toilet
to begin with, but after continually being pi**ed on from all angles there is a degree of
decay about the place. A little paintwork and a few pleasant smells here and there might do the
trick but no, the toilet will be knocked down to make way for something bigger and apparently
better.
What was it that Cantona said about seagulls who follow in the wake of trawlers? In our
case it is the property developer who has moved in after the sale of yet another football ground
by a chairman who should know better.
Enfield recorded their first pre-season win after a second half that yeilded three goals. An own goal by the visiting No.2 was soon followed by Danny Clarke's poke past the keeper. Enfield's third came through Lee Allen, who finished off a succession of passes in front of goal to beat keeper easily. Oh yes, and the ref fell over too. Always good for a laugh that.
(Pre Season Friendly) 24th July 1999
Enfield 0
Cheshunt 0
For E's boss Jim Chandler this game proved to be another important step in the development process of his squad for the season. For the E's fans it was a chance to prove to the visitors that our supporters are not all thugs (as suggested in their residents campaign to keep the E's out of Cheshunt). It is debatable who found out the most after today's relatively sterile goal-less draw.
As with Tuesday's game against Romford Chandler took the opportunity to try out various players with Southgate, Jones, Rattray and new 'keeper Jerome John being in the starting line-up. Also in at the start were Lee Allen, Protheroe, now recovered from his stint in the Green Lights team, and ex-Spurs forward James Bunn (nicknamed 'Chelsea', 'Currant', or 'Iced' dependant on the mentality of the heckler concerned).
The first half saw little to comment on, with Cheshunt's 'keeper Sealey only having to scramble clear the odd half-chance, and the second half continued in a similar vein until Cheshunt grabbed the upper hand and tested the E's second half 'keeper Andy 'Chopper' Hall on a couple of occasions. Enfield took over after that, with Danny Clarke introduced into the action to cause problems for the visitors.
Things all went sour briefly, when E's John Morgan and an opponent decided that a little wrestling match may liven things up a bit - the Referee felt otherwise though and asked both teams to 'replace' them there and then. The E's finished on top but real chances were rare and the game fizzled out. Today's game attracted a paltry crowd, considering the close proximity of the two contestants, and the handing out of leaflets by the Cheshunt campaigners looked to be a worthless exercise. In fact, judging by the apparent lack of any away support in an attendance that struggled to reach triple figures one is led to the conclusion that the residents of Theobalds Lane were probably unaware that they even had a team of their own until Lazarou announced his plans to move his team there. Indeed, it could be suggested that they would be offended if anyone dared walk through their neighbourhood, let alone the hordes of Enfield 'Thugs and Vandals' that they fear so much. Final results: - a stale draw on the pitch, the battle still rages off it!
(Pre Season Friendly) 27th July 1999
Enfield (0) 2 Bunn, Fleming
Harlow Town (0) 1 Ummm...
Another low-key friendly for the E's as Jim Chandler explores all angles. Harlow's defence was built around ex-Enfield full backs Roy Parkin and Lee Francis and they also included two other ex-E's in goalkeeper Daryl Trigg and one time rising star Trevor Wilkinson up front. Their ex-Enfield boss Eddie McCluskey has also signed another Southbury Road favourite for the season in John Ridout - 'JR' sadly being unavailable tonight.
After surviving forty-five minutes of what could only be described as a sparring session Jim Chandler made the crucial substitution and introduced the 'keen to impress' Dave Fleming into the action. Not that the first half was entirely devoid of action, as Morgan, Jones and Southgate featured in some promising moves in an attempt to unhinge a well organised defence. All that was lacking was the killer pass, although Trigg did make a vital save just before the interval.
The breakthrough came soon after the break and it was Fleming's cute 'step-over' that fooled the visitors defence allowing James Bunn to fire home a low cross from just inside the box. Goal number two followed soon after when the visitors defence played 'Bagatelle' instead of hoofing clear following an Enfield corner kick - Fleming gleefully sliding in the loose ball from what could only be described as 'inches'.
At that point the E's settled down and took control of the game, with only one or two personal battles still being fought. Harlow made many late substitutions, as did the E's, and grabbed a very, very late consolation goal to give the game a slightly unjust final score. For the E's it was an effective performance, although not a particularly entertaining one. Jerome John, conceding his first goal as an Enfield player, played the whole match tonight, with Rattray again prominent - Chandler's summer signings from Kingstonian seeming to blend in well with the brighter stars from Calder's left-over's from last season.
(Pre Season Friendly) 29th July 1999
Enfield (0) 1 Alleyne
Watford (1) 1 Brooker
It turned out to be a fairly good night for the E's, coming from behind to grab a well deserved draw, but for Steve Terry it all fell apart within fifteen minutes. The programme notes told of how he fancied playing one half for each team but his early withdrawal after suffering yet another nasty head injury scuppered his plans. Nevertheless the hearty applause that rang around the ground as he was escorted down the tunnel was a fitting testimony to his popularity. Watford boss Graham Taylor, in attendance tonight along with Luther Blissett, paid Steve a compliment by bringing along a reasonably strong squad - some with first team experience - and helped make for quite an entertaining game. The E's rose to the challenge, obviously relishing the chance to play against some decent opposition for once, yet one defensive lapse in the twentieth minute saw all their good work undone. Watford's Brooker took his opportunity well, seizing on a loose ball to plant an accurate shot beyond the reach of Jerome John. Enfield were always in with a shout though but most of their endeavours floundered once the visitors penalty area had been reached. It was the usual half-time substitutions that tipped the scales in Enfield's favour with Danny Alleyne grabbing the equaliser in some style - one swerve and a quick sprint to outpace the defence before planting a low shot into the far corner of the net. John Morgan was introduced soon after and livened things up with some excellent runs down the left flank but the performance of the night came, not surprisingly, from Darren Annon, now back in favour and prowling the right wing as only he can.
(Pre Season Friendly) 1st August 1999
Worthing 2
Enfield 2
No match report for this one
(Pre Season Friendly) 4th August 1999
Bishops Stortford (0) 1 Who knows?
Enfield (1) 2 Jones, Clarke
Our first visit to 'Stortford's new ground saw the E's continue their run of victories away to the blues. Ex-Enfield players in opposition tonight were full-back Danny Benstock and last season's goalkeeper Jason White.
The home team seemed to have the upper hand early on and Jerome John made two or three good saves as his defence continued to struggle. A busy Enfield midfield eventually gave the defence some respite though with Morgan, Jones and Annon gradually starting to dominate. It was only then that the E's settled down to play their own brand of football and a marauding run from defender Grant Cooper set Jones up for the breakthrough goal. 'Stortford's defence backed off just a little too much allowing Cooper to curve a neat pass into the path of the onrushing Jones who finished with a low drive inside White's right-hand post.
The half-time interval gave us time to look around and soak up the atmosphere. Woodside Park is an impressive stadium with a tidy Grandstand and covered terracing behind both goals. The forth side of the ground featured just concrete terracing, and only four steps at that, but the scope for expansion is obvious. Despite being largely unfinished it was a great credit to the home team and it's many volunteers, helpers, and staff alike that the game was able to be staged here at all. One thing stood out most of all though - hot-air hand dryers in the toilets (unheard of in the Ryman League!).
E's replaced Danny Alleyne with Danny Clarke at the restart and he caused the blues defence some problems. It was the E's defence that was the busiest though, with Jerome John coming to the rescue time after time, but we just knew an equaliser was coming and what a peach it was - quick turn, full volley, despairing dive, ball in net, four-hundred plus crowd going wild! Sadly, the non-stop parade of aircraft landing at the just-a-bit-too-close-for-comfort Stanstead Airport caused the tannoy announcement to go unheard - who DID score?
Not too worry though, ten minutes to go and Danny Clarke beat his marker - again - and slid the ball inside White's right-hand post - again - to put the E's ahead once more. This time Enfield stood firm and as we watched more aircraft land the game fizzled out with the result a slightly unconvincing win for the E's. What a nice new ground though - one day, Mr Lazarou, one day . . . . .
(Pre Season Friendly) 7st August 1999
Bury Town (1) 1 30
Enfield (1) 4 Annon 43; Jones 70, 86; Bunn 80
Enfield rounded off their pre-season programme with a comfortable win over Jewson League opposition. Both teams found the conditions to their disadvantage in the first half, with the sodden pitch and constant drizzle making ball control difficult, and Bury were gifted a few half-chances before Enfield finally got their game together and tested the keeper - a curling cross-come-shot from Annon causing a brief moment of concern. At the other end Jerome John could only parry a low, skidding shot but managed to scramble to his feet to recover the situation. Bury went ahead on the half-hour mark with a free header from a free-kick but Darren Annon dragged the E's level shortly before the interval, taking a high pass on his chest and advancing deep into the box before belting in a low, hard shot. The rain continued to fall throughout the second half and the Bury players appeared to tire early, giving Enfield the upper hand. Bunn, Clarke and Alleyne were enjoying greater freedom now and it was from a half saved Bunn shot that Enfield took the lead in the seventieth minute - Jones gleefully blasting the loose ball into an empty net after the home keeper's handling let him down. Bunn made it three with a well placed shot ten minutes later and Danny Jones grabbed his second near the end, planting a header over the keeper following some concerted pressure on the home goal. Four-one was a reasonable result in the end, not quite a stroll but certainly worked hard for.
