MATCH REPORT
Enfield Borough 4 Newmarket Town 2 (after extra-time)

Enfield Borough progressed to the second round of the F.A.Vase with a magnificent win over Newmarket Town on Saturday. The visitors play at level nine in the footballing pyramid, one above Borough, and have a history that stretches back for one hundred and forty years, so victory for “The Panthers” who were only formed on the summer of 2016 was a notable achievement.

Enfield’s fielded the same starting eleven that had overcome Woodbridge Town in the previous round of the competition with Jamie Newby-Harris and Guy Kiangebeni restored in defence having missed last week’s draw with Hillingdon Borough. The conditions were difficult for both teams due to the exceptionally strong wind, but that did not prevent them from providing a worthy spectacle for the fans. Enfield took the lead after ten minutes. Only Tage Kennedy will know if he intended to shoot at goal or to cross, but his effort looped over the goalkeepers head and despite desperate efforts by a covering defender found the top corner of the net to give the home side the lead. The visitors were back on level terms soon afterwards. A ball into the Enfield penalty box was not properly cleared and when it was played back into the middle, Bacon produced a delicate flick to lay the ball into the path of Spriggs who slotted home. Before half time Solomon Nwabuokei had a good chance to restore Borough’s lead when he beat two defenders to leave himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but his carefully placed shot went inches wide of the goal.

Both sides were creating and missing chances, with Enfield having had marginally the better of the first half, but Newmarket came out for the second period determined to take a grip on the game. Their physically imposing team looked dangerous from every set piece and corner and it was no surprise that they took the lead from one such situation. Thurlbourne’s corner was firmly met by Bowen’s head to give the visitors the lead for the first time. Borough pushed forward for the equaliser and Archer in the Newmarket goal was called upon to keep his side ahead with a fine save from substitute Bruno Tavares while Newmarket nearly increased their lead only to be foiled by a last ditch clearance. In the eighty eighth minute, Enfield were presented with the chance to draw level. Guy Kiangebeni was fouled by Archer and Henderson Browne stepped up to coolly score from the penalty spot.

Both teams were now faced with an extra thirty minutes play and the impact of fresh legs from the substitute’s bench became a decisive factor. Tavares, Alfie Hatch and Isaac Stevens all made an impression after their introductions and it was a combination by the first two that put Borough back in front during the first period of extra-time. Hatch’s long ball from defence released Tavares on the left and the debutant raced on, rounded the keeper and walked the ball into the net, albeit after a rebound from the post nearly outwitted him. By now Newmarket were looking a tired team and Borough were in the ascendancy. Having missed a number of good chances to make the game safe they finally got the fourth goal with ten minutes remaining. The visitors were pushing up in search of the equaliser, but when the ball was given away, Borough found themselves with a three-on-one break and it was left to Kennedy to score the final goal of the game off the inside of the far post.

Six hundred and nineteen clubs entered the national competition and after three fine victories Borough now find themselves in the last one hundred and twenty eight. How much further they can progress is open to debate, but the players have shown that they are capable of facing teams from different league and beating them, even those who compete at a higher level. Another tough test in the form of Berkhamsted awaits Borough in round two. The opposition are currently top of the Spartan South Midland League Premier Division, one level above Borough, and are undefeated in their twelve league games. However it is the fourth round in succession that Enfield have been drawn at home and they are capable of beating higher ranked opposition as has been shown in the past. The match is scheduled to take place on Saturday November 11th.

Team; Kyriacou, Hurde, Newby-Harris (Hatch), Kiangebeni, Tshibangu, Ennin (Stevens), Nwabuokei, Browne, Opoku (Tavares), Plentie-Lawrence, Kennedy.

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