Enfield Town 2 Blues 2

Since our elevation to the Isthmian League only Enfield Town have been regular opponents year in year out. Along the way we’ve enjoyed success and disappointment against the Towners and on Tuesday night this latest fixture will have to fall into the disappointment category.

Leading and bossing the game at the interval the Blues managed to throw away a two goal lead and in heart-breaking fashion, the final seconds of stoppage time. It was almost tee shirt weather in North London and as the crowd searched for a suitable vantage point Leiston were ahead. A corner falling invitingly to Regan Pelling at the far post whose great first touch set him up to drill home through a sea of legs for his first goal for the Blues. It was the perfect start especially after the mauling against Folkestone Invicta and it provided the platform for a solid opening forty five minutes. Leiston looked assured in possession, resolute in defence and twenty five minutes in doubled their advantage. Regan Pelling’s excellent left wing cross picked out the advancing Patrick Brothers who headed beyond Wright in the home goal. There was then a few moments of confusion as the Assistant looked to have not awarded the goal as a home defender had cleared the ball some four feet inside his own goal but the expected kick off from the centre circle ensued. The closest the Towners came in the opening half was a floated free kick that,with the aid of the wind, deceived Marcus Garnham and bounced to safety off the top of his bar.

As the second half resumed it was clear the 20 or so away supporters were thinking ‘more of the same please’ but instead of continuing to go ‘toe to toe’ with our hosts we seemed to retreat towards our own goal under Enfield pressure, relying on breakaways. This left Matt Blake forging a lone furrow in attack as the Blues defended in numbers to thwart the home attacks. One then two smart stops from Marcus Garnham followed but he was powerless to keep out Noto’s long range belter that swerved and beat the Leiston keeper to his left with twenty five minutes remaining. Before the hosts opener Matt Blake had fired over and a long and windy run from Dominic Docherty saw his effort beat the advancing Wright in the Enfield goal but not the covering ex Premier League defender Darren Purse who hacked off the goal line. Enfield continue to press as Leiston couldn’t put the game to bed and secure the points, Adam Blades missing a great chance four minutes from time. As the game entered stoppage time (the amount of time unknown as it wasn’t announced) the visitors suffered the ultimate heart break. Regan Pelling was penalised wide on the right flank and as home keeper Wright joined the attack, a deep free kick found ex Blues striker Simon Thomas inside the box who set up McKenzie to thrash home the equaliser in the 95th minute of the match. There was barely time to resume.

FT - Enfield Town 2 Blues 2

Enfield Town - Wright, Kyriacou, McKenzie, Purse, Bartley (Parcell 19 mins), Martin, Noto, Moore, Blake, Roberts (Ward-Cochrane 79 mins), Greene (Thomas 75 mins). Subs not used - Blackman and Beattie.

Blues - Garnham, Marsden, Dunbar, Ainsley, Jefford, Bullard (Blades 77 mins), Lawrence, Pelling, Blake, Brothers, Docherty. Subs not used - Cheetham and Beckwith

Man of the Match - Regan Pelling

Attendance - 333