Enfield 4 St. Albans City 2
Saturday 15th November
Southbury Road
The Citizens' defeat at Enfield was their first reverse is the Herts and Middlesex League since September 20thand ended a successful run in which they had collected thirteen points from seven matches. Enfield, a rapidly-improving side, with a due leaven of experience and a rich blend of youthful talent in which the 'Spurs are interested, fully deserved their win because of the ferocity which they infused into their attacks during the last twenty-five minutes.
St. Albans. who were handicapped by injuries, might have saved a point had they possessed understanding and steadiness in defence when Enfield were making their big efforts. The Citizens had the better of the first half., but their re-arranged attack lacked cohesion and finishing power. Although trying hard and obtaining both his side's goals, Cook was never happy at centre-forward and the line was early disorganised by a mishap to Earle, who sustained a thigh injury. He was off the field for a period and when he returned he was limping. Kirkham, who was in splendid form. initiated many attacks, but at no time did St. Albans show the speed or the incisiveness which Enfield developed later in the game.
The Citizens lost chances by wild shooting in the first half - and so did Enfield - but Bennett, a custodian who has figured in Tottenham's first team, effected smart saves from Richardson and Allen.
NARROW ESCAPES.
Because of their quick, long passing, Enfield were very dangerous in their fewer raids in the first half, and Powell, who was in no way to blame for the Citizens' defeat, did well to stop Hinsby when that dashing young centre-forward, who was deputising for Constable, had the goal at his mercy. As the interval approached, St. Albans pressed heavily. The Enfield goal had one narrow escape following a free-kick well placed by Richardson. Cook beat Bennett with a grand header, but the ball hit the underside of the crossbar and Preston, who played a sound game at centre-half for Enfield, cleared the rebound.
But St. Albans maintained the pressure and Earle, taking a corner-kick on the right, curled the ball against the crossbar. Following the rebound there was a hectic scramble. Two shots were charged down and, finally, one from Cook beat Bennett, but a defender standing on the goal-line, handled. COOK took the resultant penalty-kick and scored with a fast ground shot.
On resuming, St. Albans had to make a further change. Goldsack felt unwell and Kirkham changed places with him. For twenty minutes there was little to choose between the sides and both goalkeepers were often in action. Saunders. after a glorious run. was unfortunate with a shot that baffled Bennett but hit the post and rebounded into play.
ENFIELD EQUALISE.
Enfield equalised following a breakaway on the right twenty minutes after the resumption. Smith's centre travelled across the goalmouth and went behind, but before it did so, Wells, in preventing Hinsby getting to the ball, was adjudged to have fouled him. WALLIS gave Powell no chance with the resultant penalty-kick. St. Albans regained the lead within three minutes. Saunders gathered a pass from Earle and slipped the ball through the middle to COOK who, after running a few yards, delivered a terrific high shot from twenty yards' range. Bennett got his hands to the ball, but the shot was far too hot to hold. It knocked Bennett backwards and the ball went into the net.
Enfield fought back with great vigour and St. Albans' forwards faded out of the picture for a period, with the result that the Citizens' defenders were hard pressed. Harris and Vale, a sprightly left-wing pair, led Hall and Short a merry dance, and it was from Vale's centres that most danger accrued to St. Albans' goal. Powell cleared a number, but fifteen minutes from the end, when he stepped out to fist one clear, a colleague baulked him and the ball went to HINSBY, who netted from close range.
TWO GOALS IN THE CLOSING STAGES.
Although St. Albans made fleeting raids, Enfield were definitely on top after they had equalised for the second time. Ten minutes from the end, they secured the lead. Vale got clear on the left and put across a low centre which HINSBY, who was unmarked, turned past Powell from close range. St. Albans replied with a strong counter-attack in which Kirkham, who had changed places with Richardson owing to injury, almost scored with a hard drive which Bennett had great difficulty in holding. With a minute to go, Enfield got their fourth goal from the third penalty-kick of the game awarded for a foul on Hinsby and converted by WALLIS with another unstoppable shot.
The Citizens certainly had their misfortunes in the matter of injuries, but on Saturday they were beaten by the better combination of a side which used long passing to good effect and showed the greater stamina in the closing stages of a hard-fought encounter. The general re-arrangement of the side following the return of Wells and the departure of Burke has upset the teamwork which had been developing so well in the previous matches. The attack has, in consequence, become ragged and there was on Saturday a lack of understanding in defence.
R. Ellis, the English amateur international back, W. C. Heal, a Welsh amateur international, and S. Preston, the former Leyton centre-half, were all in tip-top form for Enfield, who have certainly got together a well-balanced eleven, which has plenty of punch in the vangard.
Enfield:F. J. Bennett; J. C. Wallis, R. Ellis; W. Heal, S. Preston, W. Sainsbury; J. T. Smith, A. W. Holmes, G Hinsby, C. R. Harris.
St. Albans City:H. F. Powell; T. Short, L. Goldsack; L. Hall, R. W. Wells, S. Kirkham: W. Saunders, S. Earle, E. Cook, J Richardson, W. Allen.
Referee:Mr D. H. Morris (Walthamstow).
