1st team
Matches
Wed 07 Sep 2022
Barkingside
3
0
Enfield Borough FC
1st team
Match Report

Match Report

Enfield Borough Football Club9 Sep 2022 - 06:19
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Barkingside v Enfield Borough League Cup

MATCH REPORT
Barkingside 3 Enfield Borough 0

It is nearly two years since Enfield Borough last won a cup tie. No one could have guessed back on September 19th 2020 that the club would endure such a terrible run of form and based on the performance at Barkingside on Wednesday evening in the Thurlow Nunn League Cup, there is no sign of their luck changing in the foreseeable future.

It was a much changed team that took to the field with over half the starting eleven from the FA Vase defeat at Redbridge missing. Dragos Stefanoaica, Waiel Hassan, Jonas Borges, Jaden Stephenson, Mitch Goddard and Albion Begaj, the last two making their full debuts, replaced Joe Parker, Anish Sharma, Kalan Rock, Gideon Sarpong, Walid Hirsi and Andreas Aranganathan. The visitors found themselves in arrears inside three minutes. A free kick on the right wing was played into the far post where tall centre back Mert Apat was unchallenged as he headed the ball back across the face of the goal and into the net. Borough hit back when the ball was played in from the left flank to Georgi Steed whose shot from twenty yards flew over the crossbar. But this was against the run of play and Barkingside were looking to increase their lead. A deep right wing cross saw Stefanoiaca in two minds whether to come and collect the ball or to stay on his line. He decided on the latter action and was forced into a smart save from Demi Elegushi’s unopposed header.

Borough were struggling to get a foothold in the match and they had further reason to be grateful to their keeper when Sharvel Foweya moved upfield from full back and his low shot was palmed around the near post by Stefanoaica. Enfield’s best chance of the first half was not of their own making as Elegushi stretched to intercept Steed’s centre but only succeeded in diverting it towards goal, forcing Dylan Walsh into a smart reaction save. Ten minutes before the interval Barkingside doubled their lead. Play broke down in midfield and Apat collected the ball, won a couple of tackles and played the ball out to the left flank. Ogunkunle Bandele sprinted to the byeline from where he played the ball into the Borough goalmouth where Michael James-Akerele drove it home. Apat was a constant threat from set pieces and his next header forced Stefanoaica to push the ball over the bar. Before half time Stephenson was booked for a foul born of frustration.

Any hopes that Enfield harboured of a change of luck were dashed within sixty seconds. Barkingside attacked the middle of the Enfield defence but Malachi Soile appeared to have redeemed the situation when he blocked James-Akerele’s shot. However the ball struck Hassan‘s shins and rebounded perfectly to James-Akerele who could scarcely believe his good fortune as he netted with ease. Steed appeared to be Enfield’s sole threat to the hosts as he dribbled past two defenders before shooting, but as with so many of his shots, he failed to test the goalkeeper. Adam Al-Asfii carelessly gave away possession in midfield and Elegushi collected the loose ball and headed towards goal before sending in a shot from twenty-five yards that beat Stefanoaica only to strike the underside of the crossbar before bouncing down and out into the goalmouth. Archie Hammond was first on the scene and as Stefanoaica scrambled to his feet, the Barkingside player headed the ball down, it bounced up onto the bar yet again and into the keepers grateful arms.

There was a nine minute stoppage as Darral Wopara chased a through ball and collided with Walsh, leaving the keeper needing lengthy attention before resuming. He needed to be fully fit as Wopara met a corner with a firm, goalbound header which Walsh, falling backwards, managed to hook out from behind him, the ball striking a defender and somehow bouncing over the bar. Barkingside responded by taking advantage of Steed giving away possession deep into the Barkingside half, Codey Cosgrove picking up the ball and carrying it to the edge of the Enfield penalty box, but with players in support on either side he decided to try his luck and was off target with his shot. Stephenson was sent off soon afterwards when he tumbled in the penalty area and when play was allowed to continue, he rushed straight up to the referee who brandished the red card, presumably after something uncomplimentary was said. Deep into stoppage time, Patrick Lomba headed a great chance over for the hosts while a harmless ball into the Barkingside penalty area was headed narrowly over his own goal by Nathan Saunders.

Enfield have another blank Saturday and are back in action next Tuesday when they host Wormley Rovers in a league match at the Maurice Rebak Stadium, ko 7.45pm.

Team; Stefanoaica, Stephenson, Begaj, Hassan, Goddard, Soile, Wopara, Al-Asfii, Lokilo, Steed, Borges (Hildabraut)

Match details

Match date

Wed 07 Sep 2022

Kickoff

19:45
Team overview
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Team Sponsors

Shirt sponsorship (1st team) - Mayhills Cockfosters