MATCH REPORT
Wembley 1 Enfield Borough 2

Enfield Borough struggled to overcome a spirited Wembley team in their Spartan South Midland League Challenge Trophy first round tie at Vale Farm on Tuesday evening. While Borough went into the match on a run of five victories, their opponents, who play in the division above them, had suffered six consecutive defeats.

There were three changes to Borough’s starting eleven. Brian Tshibangu and Richard Oluwatoyin replaced Guy Kiangebeni and Issac Stevens while Jonti Purdom was given a full debut in goal in place of Brandon Walsh. In a complete contrast to Borough’s recent matches, it was twenty minutes before the first good chance was created. After fine link up play between Franklin Domi and Brandon Mckenna, Alie Bangura slipped the ball through to Greg Moore, but Wembley keeper Zavagno was swiftly off his line to save with his feet. Both teams were putting plenty of effort into the match, but Borough seemed unsettled by Wembley’s pressing game. The hosts hit back and Purdom was twice at full stretch to keep out efforts by Heron and Fehmi-Gil. But on thirty-five minutes Wembley took the lead. A right wing cross was overhit, but Webb retrieved the ball and his centre into the goalmouth was firmly headed home by D’Alessio. It could have been even worse if Frankie Chandler had not produced an excellent last-ditch tackle soon afterwards to prevent Fehmi-Gil increasing the lead.

Chances continued to be at a premium after the interval. Sivi Bao saw his goalbound shot blocked while Moore’s attempt from a narrow angle was well held by Zavagno. Kayne James-Thompson was introduced for the unusually subdued Mckenna midway through the half as it began to look as if Wembley would manage to hold Borough at bay for the remainder of the contest. But with fifteen minutes to go Enfield drew level. Bao played the ball inside the full back for Bangura to race down the right-wing. Zavagno managed to parry his cross but the ball was not cleared. Domi returned the ball from the left-wing and Moore’s first time shot flew past Zavagno.

Bangura was immediately replaced by Stevens as the confidence seemed to drain from Wembley while “The Panthers” went hunting for the winner. James-Thompson had a shot deflected for a corner before Wembley mounted a counter attack. Heron raced clear of Borough’s defence and Purdom was forced to leave his box. The players collided some twenty-five yards from goal with the Wembley forward left sprawled out on the ground. Amidst calls for a sending off, the referee decided that a yellow card was sufficient punishment for the Borough keeper. Gideon Sarpong replaced Domi soon after and two minutes from full time Enfield scored the decisive goal. Jamiah Lawrence-Plentie’s corner was cleared only as far as Bao twenty-five yards from goal. The midfielder steadied himself before unleashing a stunning drive that was destined for the net as soon as it left his foot. A wonderful goal to settle an otherwise mediocre contest. Wembley tried to get back on terms, but as they pressed forward, Borough countered. Bao’s reverse pass released Oluwatoyin who managed to evade the retreating defenders only to see his shot pushed aside.

After the match manager Shaun Reece was happy with the evening’s work. “There is more than one way to win a match. Our recent successes have been by decent margins, so it was good to see that when presented with a different scenario, we were prepared to battle hard for the win. At the start we were getting overrun in midfield, so we altered our system at half-time and that worked a lot better. Once we got the lead, we managed to see the game out quite easily, which was pleasing.”

This Saturday Borough embark on their F.A.Vase campaign with a home tie with Halstead Town. Kick off at the Maurice Rebak Stadium is 3pm.
Team; Purdom, Hurde, Domi (Sarpong), Bao, Chandler, Tshibangu, Bangura (Stevens), Mckenna (James-Thompson), Moore, Lawrence-Plentie, Oluwatoyin

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