ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE

SATURDAY 31^ST JANUARY

ENFIELD 1893 4 TAKELEY 1

MASSACRE AT WODSON PARK

Takeley displayed their worst showing since joining the Essex Senior League. Today’s all important match was Takeley’s opportunity to have a head- on competition for the League Championship battle with Romford. Now, Takeley are joined by Enfield and Southend Manor in the fight for the honours.

The first ten minutes could so easily have been the setting for the visitors to annihilate the E’s. Joe Galsworthy potted in shots at goal that skimmed the crossbar, or the uprights. His speed with the ball unnerved the Enfield defenders and it was a single close encounter for Deniz Mehmet in those early minutes that showed the home side’s determination. Gregg Williams with one of his blistering drives almost put the ball and the goalkeeper into the back of the net, but the keeper’s necessary fumble was not taken advantage of and Enfield were still in recovery as Alex Martin tested Steven Wright. Gradually, Enfield got their act together and some fine moves lead to an attack which was finalised by Paul Oshin hitting a shot inches wide. Oshin made another attempt that was well covered by Andros Demosthenous. The Takeley keeper had not been in such a busy game, but he was looking so secure against every biting shot that Enfield presented. Deniz Mehmet threatened every time he had the ball out on the wing and a great centre was not adhered to by unguarded forwards on 22 minutes, to give a reprieve for the visitors.

Paul Oshin blasted in a chance that was finger tipped away by Demosthenous and similarly Mehmet’s shot was handed over the bar, within another five minutes spell. Rarely Takeley got their usual football expertise together for long, one almost gave Galsworthy the chance as after a run through the middle, being forced to turn he hooked the ball against the crossbar, from Chris Grove’s initial pass. Dan Crook and Abdul Hussain clashed heads, which left the Takeley player rolling in agony and he was then injured by a late tackle that brought out the first Yellow Card to Keiron Woodward(EFC), and less than half an hour had passed.

Mr Weston (Referee) was besieged by the home players as he blew up for a handball just before the E’s had put the ball into the net. Then, quite rightly the free kick against Takeley was a couple of inches outside of the penalty box. Wesley Borghys hit the wall and the game resumed. On 36 minutes Brad Jones won the ball in the air, but Demosthenous’ hands gripped the ball safely. Following their severe injuries Dan Crook and Gregg Williams were both forced to be replaced by Lee Forde and James Whitbread.

With Charlie Pollard and Ryan Lee unable to play because of their injuries and the Oshitola brothers away at an important wedding, Takeley were looking uncomfortable on the badly cut up sticky pitch, with Chris Dorrian still slowed up following his groin injury. Ross Tobolewski made the brave attempt not to be affected by his long time away from playing, because of a very bad prolonged injury, too.

Alex Martin (TFC) received a Yellow Card five minutes from the break for a late tackle. On 43 minutes Lee Forde had a crack which was handed around the post by Wright. Ross Tobolewski was taken off to be replaced by new signing Joe Lustic.                          Half Time Enfield 0, Takeley 0. 

Brad Jones (EFC) was booked with a Yellow Card a moment into the second half after a discourse with the referee, following a disputed decision. As Takeley went into a dysfunctional huddle Adilson LOPES only had to head low into the corner of the net for a deserved lead.

52 minutes ... ENFIELD 1, TAKELEY 0 (Adilson Lopes)

The Takeley captain Chris Dorrian brought down Brad JONES inside the box for an Enfield penalty, three minutes later.

55 minutes ... ENFIELD 2, TAKELEY 0 (Brad Jones pen)

Another three minutes and Chris Grove got the ball past Goalkeeper Steve Wright into the net, but the Assistant declared an offside and the referee gave the decision in favour of the home side. A breakaway through mid field by danger man Deniz Mehmet was uncaught by jittery defenders and Elvis BALIC took a free shot into the net to ensure the home side in winning ways.

63 minutes ... ENFIELD 3, TAKELEY 0 (Elvis Balic)

For a ‘studs up’ slide on the slippery surface Lee Forde (TFC) received a Yellow Card seemed harsh on this poor finish pitch, one minute later. Brad Jones was floored by James Amott (TFC) for another Yellow Card five minutes on. From the free kick the ball was badly dealt with and the opportunity for unmarked Elvis BALIC was easily dealt with.

70 minutes ... ENFIELD 4, TAKELEY 0 (Elvis Balic)

Substitutions were thick and fast for the home team with Shaun Borland, Julio Bell and Hawker Kider given short time appearances in place of Adilson Lopes, Abdul Hussain and Lee Benmore.

An unlikely chance for James AMOTT to head in for a solitary goal to Takeley two minutes into added time from Chris Grove’s flick after a rare away side corner.

90 + 2 minutes ... ENFIELD 4, TAKELEY 1. (James Amott)

The game might have taken a different course if only Joe Galsworthy, probably the best player for Takeley, could have got the ball between the sticks in the first ten minutes. He showed as one of few examples of working hard for the visitors, but some poor defending and less protection for spaces between the uprights and keeper, left Demosthenous without support. He played as well as ever, but with Chris Dorrian definitely uncomfortable and slowed down, Takeley missed Charlie Pollard at the back. The passing was inaccurate and players were forever behind the opponents when passes were made. Alex Martin worked busily but there were sadly many weaknesses in midfield. The pitch was in terrible condition, but Enfield managed to deal with it easily enough.

The Enfield  players were better organised and only in the early part of the match did they look threatened. The officials on the field left some decisions unsatisfactory, but the referee generally let the game run for advantage rulings, which is good. Deniz Mehmet was the notable Man of the Match, but Elvis Balic took his chances and was always dangerous.

Takeley have been in need of games to play and the failure to win at Southend before Christmas could have had a confidence effect.

ENFIELD FC (1893): Steven WRIGHT; Lee BENMORE, Keiron WOODWARD;Paul OSHIN, Wesley BORHYS, Guy BONWICK; Abdul HUSSAIN, Adilson LOPES, Brad JONES, Deniz MEHMET. Subs: Julio BELL, Carl ROBINSON, Hawker KIDER, Shaun BORLAND.

TAKELEY FC: Andros DEMOSTHENOUS; Dan CROOK, Chris DORRIAN (Captain),  James AMOTT , Mark WATTERS, Adam SONTAG; Ross TOBOLEWSKI, Gregg WILLIAMS, Chris GROVE, Joe GALSWORTHY, Alex MARTIN. Subs: Lee FORDE, Joe LUSTIC, James WHITBREAD.

 Scorers: ENFIELD FC (1893): LOPES (52mins), JONES (Pen 55 mins), BALIC (63 mins, 70 mins).          

                TAKELEY FC:           AMOTT (90 + 2 mins)

Free Kicks Enfield 14, Takeley 4. Corners Enfield   7, Takeley 2

David Edwards

On behalf of Chairman, administrators, players supporters of Takeley