Essex Senior League
Venue: Station Road
Attendance: 81
2018-19 Season – Match 46
Saturday 9th February 2019 – 3pm KO
Takeley: Blue Shirts, Blue Shorts, Blue Socks
Enfield: Green Shirts, Green Shorts, Green Socks
Inspired Enfield battle to victory over Takeley at Station Road
Report & Photos by Scott W (Twitter: @ScottMHC14)
This weekend’s Essex Senior League action took us to Station Road to see promotion-chasing Takeley take on Enfield, who were looking nervously over their shoulders at the bottom four, after a poor run. Marc Das’ side were missing the likes of George Wappett and Will Green though did field Andre Humphrey at left-back, skipper Matt Hurley and George Powell in central defence, with forward Mosepe Oguntuga being supported by Jason Todd and Coby Miles in attack.
Enfield rung the changes somewhat themselves with Tyler Fowles joining Jacob Dixon in the heart of the defence as well as Joe Johnson and Nathan Cook in central midfield. Jimmy Cox, signed from Hullbridge this week, was supported by Ernold Haxhiu in their froward line.
The E’s started the match a little nervily as an errant back-header presented the hosts with an early corner, though midfielder Alex Martin’s delivery narrowly evaded his team-mates in the area. Matt Hanning’s side responded in kind on four minutes as creative midfielder Ben Bradbury’s cross found midfielder Nathan Cook in space, thoug after a turn his effort on goal lacked the power needed to beat home custodian Ronnie Yates, who gathered comfortably. Both sides traded half-chances in the early stages of the game though the visitors suffered a blow as recent signing & goalkeeper Lewis Hawley had to be assisted off the field after only 13 minutes, due to a quad injury. We wish him well in his recovery.
The visitors gradually pushed their way into proceedings in the mid-way point of the half. Stephen Ellery’s free-kick was met by centre-back Tyler Fowles’ header, which Yates punched half-clear before the rebound was fired over the woodwork. Yates was called into action again soon after as after a good passing move, Ellery’s right-wing cross found forward Jimmy Cox, whose looping header was denied by the ever-dependable Takeley ‘stopper. Attacking midfielder Ernold Haxhiu’s fierce drive stung the fingers of Yates before it dribbled out of play with five minutes left before the break.
The home side nearly profited from hesitant defending at the end of the first-half as Coby Miles’ sweet ball in from the left caused indecision from both the defence and substitute ‘keeper Jayden Hocking-Rising before it was cleared. All in all though, the home side didn’t quite ‘find their feet’ in the first half and some of that was due to the unrelenting nature of the Enfield midfield.
Half-Time: Takeley 0 – 0 Enfield
The decisive goal came four minutes into the second-half as a good ball into the area found Cook, who flicked it on to debutant Cox, who lashed home past Yates from about eight yards out. The visitors had another half-chance just past the hour as another Ellery free-kick honed in on the six-yard line was met by Bradbury’s header which forced another good save by Yates.
To be fair to Takeley, they did ‘move up the gears’ with regards to tempo in the last twenty minutes or so, as substitute Ben Smith’s strike hit a post, in a move involving fellow substitute Mitchell Das. The E’s responded again though as another Ellery set-piece from 20 yards out was well-tipped over by Yates. Marc Das’ side poured forward in the latter stages of the match as their approach play was decent though they got very little change out of a energised Enfield defence, who continued to close them down effectively.
All in all, the effort in that latter part of the game from the hosts came to nothing, who will be disappointed by the intensity of their performance here I suspect. They will have better days though take nothing away from Enfield, who really put in a resolute display and deserved the victory. Led by the hard-working midfield of Nathan Cook (whose work rate was outstanding) and Joe Johnson, the E’s defence were in no mood to concede sloppy goals here. Ernold Haxhiu also had a good game, as did fellow midfielders Stephen Ellery and skipper Ben Bradbury.
For Takeley, goalkeeper Ronnie Yates shone again to keep them in the match, while midfield anchor Alex Martin put in a good shift as well.
Full-Time: Takeley 0 – 1 Enfield
Takeley | Manager: Marc Das
Ronnie Yates (GK), Mike La Ronda, Andre Humphrey, Alex Martin (Nick Barrett 71′), Matt Hurley (Capt), George Powell, Bryn Thorpe, Freddie Burrell (Ben Smith 61′), Mosepe Oguntuga (Mitchell Das 53′), Jason Todd, Coby Miles
Booked: Powell, Smith | Subs Not Used: J Pullen, G Pullen
Enfield | Manager: Matt Hanning
Lewis Hawley (GK) (Jayden Hocking-Rising (GK) 13′), Luke Thomas, Kevin Bondjanga (Komal Llewelyn-Reid 71′), Joe Johnson, Tyler Fowles, Jacob Dixon, Stephen Ellery, Nathan Cook, Jimmy Cox (Michael Odoku 60′), Ernold Haxhiu, Ben Bradbury (Capt)
Goal-scorer: Jimmy Cox [49′]
Booked: Odoku | Subs Not Used: Benjoucef, Thoma
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