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good luck Enfield Town in tonights 1st qualifying round game away to Peterbourgh sports COYT

Completely agree with 4wembleyfinals! Whilst I didn't really want to be in Peterborough for an extra half hour on a Tuesday night, going straight to penalties with no extra time didn't feel right. Penalties always feels unfair when you lose - and brilliant when you win! - but it almost made the journey feel worthless last night! That's how disappointed I was - I agree with others that, financially, last night's result was a disaster but, unfortunately, even with best intentions football has a habit of kicking you in the unmentionables! An objective view of last night, 18 hours after the event, is that we came up against a very good side and acquitted ourselves pretty well for the most part, especially when you consider that was our second game in a few days with little training in the previous 2 weeks due to the Covid isolation. I thought we were on top for the first half, definitely off the pace for the majority of the second half (too much giving the ball away in the midfield area) but did well to claw our way back into the game before the dreaded penalties. Only one miss (actually a save) from either team - and that from our regular penalty taker who rarely misses. Typical - but happens to the best of players, Billy! Man of the match for me was the Peterborough Sports No 10. The attendance was given as 235 - seemed like more, with a good attendance from our fans even if some understandably chose to stay at home. Actually I thought Peterborough Sports handled the game well and certainly better than some of us were expecting when we heard they would only take cash. A very friendly and efficient young lady dealt with the NHS Test & Trace details and signage was clear, with one way systems in operation in part. Seemed like a nice club and I wish them well in the next round. Their twitter feed (@PSLFC) has some very nice things to say about our club and our fans including '2 top sides and as good a game as seen for some time. But off the field a class act with travelling supporters a real credit to you with numerous comments from our staff about their friendliness. What Non-League is about'. Another said ' the London side (is) one of the best I have seen at the Bee Arena'. Well done everybody, even if the lottery of penalties went against us.

Really great day on Saturday - the organisation and planning was exceptional - thanks to all the volunteers who made it such a success! As for the game itself, really enjoyable. With a new look defence pretty much, we played very well. Considering the pre season results .. and then no matches in the 2 weeks leading up to this, it was a fantastic result. All the new players look like good aquistions - Percy was bombing down the wing - great to have him back! Gyebi is a powerful centre back, and complements Lee Chappell's long throws which add another dimension to our attacking! And Jared Small came off the bench and put in a great run that was unlucky not to result in a goal! There were a lot of other positives for me .. - it feels like we have a more flexible squad than before - when Chappell went off injured, Josh moved across to left back, and Percy moved into midfield later on when Ryan came off. - we did not sit bac, instead we kept pushing for more goals - we were still chasing and harassing them at the end. - it felt like there was a real team togetherness - the nucleus of last year remains, and seem to get on well - all our goals were well taken and there was some good link up play - Ryan powering through for the 3rd was my personal favourite! - the support was positive and vocal! I don't think Lewes are in a good place - they had a lot of youngsters apparently - but you can only play what is in front of you - we will face harder teams for sure but this was a great start! Feeling confident for the season .. !! Looking forward to the FACup tomorrow night!

well if there was a goal to win a game that was it,Spencer you beauty,already without Dicko and then to lose Sam you wondered where the goals were coming from having said that should have been 2 up in the first 15 minutes.We regrouped second half with the breeze in our backs the visitors were clearly struggling with it pleased for Jordan and his goal only to be wiped with the visitors scoring from the spot but the never say die attitude was clear to see with Spence perfectly wind assisted goal,tidy crowd as well,up the Urchins

I think you've just outdone Rhodes in re-opening a thread after 8 years!

It was at Leon School 4g

Wednesday, September 23rd To Rowley Lane, a brisk twenty-five minute walk from Elstree & Borehamwood station, to see London Lions host Shefford Town & Campton, a team I hadn't seen before. Lions are a strong side, and had a good pre-season, beating the likes of Hadley and Cockfosters, and were judged unlucky to lose their FA Cup tie at Step 5 Walthamstow, having twice taken the lead during the game. STC, on the other hand, began their campaign with a 5-1 defeat at St Panteleimon, and so I was expecting to see a fairly straightforward home win. On this most dismal of evenings, in appalling conditions, I was both surprised and entertained. Rain began falling a few minutes before kick-off, quickly became very heavy, and didn't let-up for over an hour, and yet despite this, I saw some good football from both sides. Both keepers had work to do, and both sides could have scored a couple before Lions captain Landesberg bundled the ball home from a corner after 70 minutes. I thought that this would decide it, but STC came back strongly and were awarded a penalty on 76 minutes, scored by McNamara, and a lively last fifteen minutes passed with both sides having chances to win it. Lions will probably be disappointed at the result, but from this neutral's point of view, Shefford more than deserved a point. Do Lions have enough to challenge St Panteleimon and New Salamis at the top ? Probably not quite, but they aren't far away and are certainly one of the sides to watch, while STC, who probably wouldn't have chosen St P and Lions as their first two fixtures, can be pleased with their performance and should be looking forward to a good season. Despite the rain, and it being unexpectedly cold, I had a fine evening, and still had time for a couple of late stiffeners in the Hart & Spool, in Borehamwood, on the final night of eleven pm closing. Happy days.

1) Our first team didn't have a game for 2 weeks before this last Saturday due to Covid-19 isolation after a positive test for a player. 2) Gareth Bale was photographed by the national press at the Spurs training ground - in Enfield! 3) Not sure about the circulation levels for the Enfield Independent these days - I live in Enfield and haven't had one delivered for years.

I certainly would hope so. punishing the team that are winning could highlight the stupidity within the crowd and teach them a valuable lesson.

i haven’t read the story behind this statement but I’m guessing racial abuse. If they followed protocol then good for them!!! it seems they are the only club brave enough to stand up. This is bigger than any single football match!! mindless morons who ruin these games and society in general. 👏 Haringey

Oh well always next year

That’s an excellent start to the season! How lucky we are to have so many people willing to volunteer and help out. A veritable army of stewards 👏. I think the club have done exactly the right thing by setting the attendance at 250 for this first “proper” home fixture, given the 2 pre-season friendlies had to be cancelled. With the various working arrangements now trialled, people can be confident they will be safe when the capacity is increased. I don’t see it as lost revenue at all. On the contrary, it’s a sensible investment. The club would lose far more money if it had to postpone a fixture; fingers crossed that doesn’t happen. With so little live sport around, there should be every chance of getting higher home attendances through the rest of the year. Watching football live is so much better than seeing it on TV, whatever the level. I like the look of this season’s squad - new signings in the positions we needed to strengthen. Can’t wait to get to see them play (all being well, at Bishop’s Stortford away). COYT!!!!!

Have to agree with you totally AT regarding the hard work put in by everyone at the club involved in making yesterdays game possible. I am sure all members would like to add, with me, to your thanks and our appreciation to all concerned. So glad that all their efforts were rewarded by the result on the pitch.

It was great to be back yesterday, albeit in what felt like slightly surreal circumstances. The club have worked hard to do everything they can possibly do to provide us with football in a safe setting and should be congratulated. Thanks very much to all the volunteers. Yesterday saw a capacity set of 250 and everything went well so I would hope this can be safely increased - several clubs in our league had higher attendances yesterday, some more than twice as much. I'm sure we could do with the income. Most importantly we got the performance we wanted on the pitch too with a great 4-1 win. Scott Thomas was awarded the Man of the Match but there were several really good performances. For me, Shaun Okojie, Sam Youngs, Lyle Della-Verde, Ryan Blackman and Jeremiah Gyebi all excelled.

Tony, could you please change the name of sponsor for Zak to GSS rather than myself as there is a group of us sponsoring him thanks. Thanks Paul - now updated

I thought we missed a number of chances to take a commanding lead into half-time. There seemed to be a sense of "tightness" about this game that wasn't apparent in the pre-season friendlies, possibly because this result mattered The second half was a lot more edgy, we seemed to get very narrow along whichever wing the ball was played making it easy for Merstham to defend with no wide out ball. For the first goal I though Ellis had misjudged the wind and overhit the corner but either way Lewwis got the header back across the area which is all you can ask and Jordan finally got us on the scoresheet.. I can't comment on the penalty decision as I didn't see it as I turned my head to talk to someone but there had been so many other shouts during the game turned down I guess it must have been justified. The advantage always has to be with the taker but my mind went back to last year's penalty shootout against Oxford City. Joe Wright guessed correctly but the strike was too good and he couldn't pull off another wonder save. The winning goal. Well, this isn't the first time I have seen Lewwis score from the half-way line, or indeed pull out a last minute winner. I teased him on Twitter today and will continue to do so but when the chips are down OMG !!! I stand on the sidelines these days so had to wait until the ball was in the net to celebrate but previously behind the goal have been able to celebrate 2 or 3 seconds beforehand. Overall you cannot really complain when you have got all 3 points and a worldie goal of the season winner in the first game .

Hello. I have been inundated by a request as to what we are doing about the Prediction League. Well. Here's my "thinking"... Frankly we don't have time to get two half-seasons in this year. It's still unclear what will happen wrt crowd attendance and all that stuff. So let's bin the Autumn Season and start again after Christmas when everything will of course be hunky dory. Whaddayathink? In the interim we can have an Emergency League Cup (ELC). This will be a straight knockout. No money will change hands. Start in a couple of weeks I guess. You Div 2 wannabes can have a bash at the Billy Big Boots. Sign up below. As per my example: Yes please Jago, I would love to play in the ELC, signed << Eastside Urchin>> (or whoever) All welcome - newbies are ENCOURAGED and will be given a one goal start on each game (just watch Dinamo change his user name). That's all folks. Jago

I don’t disagree, dominated is a bit strong, a hell of a lot of long ball down that slope, physically they dominated for sure. Thought that Winslow were pretty comfortable in first half and most of first 45 in Risboro half, Haule coming on made a difference, his experience showed and Freshwater going off was a big moment. The winning goal was certainly coming, I said that for the last twenty minutes of second half. on your side note, yes and no, I’ve played in games where we had the game wrapped up at half time and games where we were dead and buried at half time, played in games where we had enough chances to win five games in first half and then ended up getting punished and vice versa. Risboro have a good chance of progressing in next round too. Saturday I expect will be another tight one, likely to be the odd goal again, I’d be surprised if it wasn’t.

Yes

A blast from the past. Got sent this today.

Update - we have 19 so far so I'm considering approaches to get that down to a power of 2. Probably a qualifying round amongst those who have been rude to me, but we may even have some group matches JUST LIKE IN THE WORLD CUP (a competition slightly inferior to our own actually). I think it's just Lord Upminster (the champion) & Cup of Tea (errr, not the champion) who haven't responded so feel free to give them a nudge if you have their details. Either way - PLEASE SIGN UP BY SATURDAY 19th SEP if you haven't already. Fixtures will be out the following day - hangover dependent - for the first round (or first group match) which will be week of 26 Sep (Chins at Stortford). I will be at the ground to nag likely victims on Saturday. You have been warned. @Mr D - if you're coming on Saturday please bring the trophy so I can get the base extended and add your & The Lord's solid gold plaque sticker (eventually). TTFN UTU JAGO

Southall 2 Ashford Town (Middx) 1 An excellent game. First half Ashford deservedly led 1-0, great second half performance by the 'All. Looking forward to the 1st Qualifying round draw on Monday.

I'm in, even though you cheated me out of last years title

'Semi pro' or as refer it, ''semi amateur'. Most over rated phrase in non-League football next to 'non-League. Non -League or League? Either you are a League or you are not. 🙂

No, sorry R, I couldn't do Thursday. Good to see that Harefield have some points on the board anyway. They are a good club, doing the right things.

Well this is all going surprisingly well. Keep it up. And we have two newbies via the Havering CC (Salads) bunch - so they will be easy fodder.

Yes please Jago, I would love to play in the ELC, signed << your wife, Urchin Queen>>

Having seen many photos posted on line by people attending games its clear to see the blame lies mainly with the fans as the simple rule of social distancing clearly cannot be followed and yet it will be the same people shouting from the rooftops when the season is null and void again

Hi all Yep, I sadly watched the semi final on a live feed, Hebburn were dominant throughout, was a great game. Pre season has been more positive than negative, but never read to much into the results, as teams are trialling players and trying different things on the pitch. We have suffered a few bad Injurys, which is the last thing we all want, as players need to get off to a good start after working hard in pre season. Really looking forward to this season, so many good players in our league now many good managers and good clubs, should be a good one. I personally don't take too much from the results pre season, both from our point of view, and when I'm out scouting teams, I have had great pre seasons and got of to a bad season start, and visa versa, so talking really starts once the competitive games get going. Hope all you are well, and looking forward to the season. Joe

See Welling Utd has been added to the list for Saturday 12th.

We are certainly looking forward to playing Ashford. Last season and this we have beaten them in pre-season games for the Lord Ashford of Middlesex Bowl 2-1 both times. Lets hope its not third time lucky for them and we can get through to the 1st Qual Rd.

Harefield completely outplayed yesterday, and lucky to get away with only a 4-1 defeat. What makes it even worse is that although officially 'Cockfosters Reserves', back at Chalk lane they are referred to as 'the U23s', and even include a handful of last season's U18s. I don't know what the general standard is in the Suburban League, but on yesterday's showing the step-up to the Herts Prem for Harefield was ill advised. Referring to my earlier post, why are new sides in the Prem anyway ? Surely they should be required to start in the Senior Division ? That would be fairer, and better, for everyone. Anyway, Harefield are a decent bunch and a good club, so let us hope yesterday was just first-day nerves. No doubt Chipperfield will have something to say about that on Thursday.

Didn’t see all the game but what I did see looked entertaining. Chris Dickson looks sharp which bodes well for the start of the season. Good team spirit and we might have got a draw out of it but Dagenham look a very good team and secured the win late on. Good day out and the weather held.

Suspensions have always carried over into the new season so nothing has changed.

See you there