Enfield, once the undisputed kings of non-league, and, after their last Conference championship should have obtained football league status, had the new rules been in place, found themselves in freefall after the sale the of their Southbury Road stadium.

That was in 1998/9 and I learned that there are moves afoot to obtain a new ground very close to their old one at the Queen Elizabeth playing fields area. We wish them all the best in this.

Today’s club was resurrected in 2007 as Enfield 1893, and they are distinct from Enfield Town, also without their own ground. The latter made overtures about a merger, but this was rejected.

Our opponents today play in the Essex Senior League and we last met as league rivals in the Ryman North, with Enfield sharing with Borehamwood. Those two league meetings resulted in two comfortable victories for Dunstable Town. It was different today, with the home side securing a 3-1 win.

They did not however outplay Dunstable, who were looking good before conceding a first half penalty, which many referees would have over-ruled. A soft second goal came in a bizarre moment at the start of the second half. This, of course made it extra hard for the Blues, but they did play well in the second half, fully deserving their compensatory goal. Enfield’s third was the best of the game, but overall this was a lot more even than the score suggests.

So, what went wrong? Well, it was a distinct goal shyness and a lack of opportunism, unlike the E’s who mad e the most of what fell their way.

Lee Cowley’s selection was a little limited given a number of players being on holiday. Many players not involved today would be in the reckoning for first team status - namely Paul Taylor, Nick Nolan, Ross Hanley, Matty Baldry, Lee Burgoyne, Danny Ryan and Ryan Quinn.

But it is important to see all of the squad in action and there were more new players for us to see today- and I did not get all of their names.

In came Luke Maitland, who did very well; also given a reprise was Moses Oyeleye, with substitute appearances from Rory Smith, brother of former youth keeper Jamie, and Luke O’Malley. I am fairly sure I saw Scottie filling in forms for one or two others as well.

The main anxiety is that many of the squad are not entirely experienced enough or adequately blooded for the rigours of the Southern League. But since we start from a clean slate, more or less we have no option to learn as we go - or draft in some experienced heads, which with our limited budget will be difficult.

But Enfield have been there themselves and have a long way to go to emulate even part of their illustrious history - but they have made the start.

Only Barnett and Harrington in the team today have what could be called extensive first team experience. Even so, the team did well in the opening spell on the greasy pitch. There were also some slight defensive hesitancies, with Paul Marsiglio’s defensive flick being rather crucial.

The lads did their best to get forward, with Maitland and Elliott looking eager. Elliott’s early shot was impressively blocked by a defender. As the teams took stock of one another we were interested to see one of the rare occasions when a free-kick is awarded for a controlled back pass, with all the attendant fuss that comes with it.

Enfield felt aggrieved and placed almost their entire team on the goal line as the close range kick was about to be unleashed. Had it gone in, it may well have made a difference, but it was well blocked and resulted in open play.

Five minutes later Enfield were awarded a contested penalty for a foul on the by line, which looked innocuous. Blues were a goal to the bad, after looking quite good overall.

The goal lifted Enfield who could have gone two up when a Ryan Cowley error allowed a sweet lob that Gardner just managed to get to. There was more action in the Blues’ penalty area with a couple of shots solidly blocked.

Another chance for the E’s saw Gardner again make a fine save, tipping the ball over for a corner. Enfield saw some gratifying play coming from their long passes. Elliott’s opportunity resulted in a wild shot that cleared the bar, but it did seem that he and Maitland could eventually penetrate with their pace.

Moses Oyeleye had been provocative in his play and it was a shame that his strike could only find the side netting as Dunstable finished the half strongly, but without finding the inside of the net. Stuart Sinclair found himself booked for dissent after the Blues had been given a free kick.

With just the penalty goal separating the two sides at the interval, we were optimistic that, given their play and allowing for their unfamiliarity with one another, they could get back into the game.

The intermittent rain finally gave way to pleasant late afternoon sunshine and what followed was a good performance from Dunstable, given their changes.
Enfield made full use of their substitutes, but as well as holding their lead, they began by scoring in the very first attack of the half, leading us to think that the lads in Blue had not really switched on. Such a lack of focus is, of course, critical and they were suitably punished and left chasing the game.

Mark Shadbolt, another first team player of last season, until his injury, came on to replace Leigh Harrington and Jay Jay made his entrance, courtesy of Darell Elliott. To be fair, Jay Jay made his presence felt and chased everything and everyone, coming quite close with a header that went only just wide. At this stage, Ross McLauglan replaced Peter Hiney.

With Dunstable now beginning to press, they fell to a well worked goal at close range after sixty-five minutes and despite battling well, only scored the one goal, well taken by the hard working and sprightly Richard Harker

Luke O’Malley also came on, for Jonno Barnett, and although compensatory, there were some good moves put together by the Blues, with Jay Jay looking promising, linking well with Ryan Cowley’s crosses. A second goal would have been a more realistic outcome, but that predatory instinct is still being nurtured.

It was a fair game at Ware’s fine Wodson Park stadium, but leaves a few questions unanswered, unless you are of the negative persuasion. There is a good potential in the squad but the naivety is still much in evidence.

The sternest test of the pre-season games comes up on Tuesday when we host Southern premier side, Hemel Hempstead Town, who will surely parade their close season signing of Chris Marsh.

Some conspired rivalry between the two sides does expose its artificiality at times, but there is always the huge incentive to beat a senior team and we hope our lads are well up for this one, and I may add, they need to be.

There are plenty of blood and guts encounters to come with the heavyweights of our own league and this game will be useful in that respect. In case you are wondering, former manager, Darren Feighery will not be in attendance as he is on holiday.

So, well done Enfield, and may they have a successful season in the Essex Senior as they mount an assault to regain some of their former status. There were many positives to take form this pre-season game and it will be of interest to see just who takes the field against the Tudors.

Do come along if you can, and it would be nice to see the Regimental flags out again.

© Dunstable Town Football Club 2008/09. Site designed and maintained by Daniel Crooke.