Match Report

Hendon
0
Enfield Town
3
Date:
Saturday 30 August 2014
Competition:
Isthmian League Premier Division
Attendance:
206
Venue:
TBA

Match Report

Hendon's losing run against Enfield Town reached five games out of five in the Ryman League Premier Division with a second consecutive 3-0 defeat at Earslmead. In those five matches Hendon have a 7-18 goal difference and conceded at least three goals in every one.

On the back of the outstanding 2-0 defeat of Harrow Borough on Monday, it was no surprise that the same starting 11 and five substitutes were chosen. Enfield Town, meanwhile had a new manager in charge, following the dismissal of George Borg after their Bank Holiday defeat.

The similarities for ended with the team line-up, because from the very outset of the game, Hendon were on the back foot. Enfield, under Bradley Quinton, were determined to show their new man in charge that they were much better than the Towners' early form suggested.

Lacking, however, was end-product, and Enfield, although dominant in terms of possession and territory, did not do a huge amount to trouble George Legg in the Hendon goal. In fact, for 43 minutes, the only player to work the goalkeeper was former Greens player Michael Kalu.

His three attempts required one save, not particularly difficult, from Legg and two others which went narrowly wide or over the target. At the other end, Hendon created three openings but did not take advantage of them.

Aaron Morgan probably should have shot when he tried to set up Kezie Ibe, as should Leon Smith. On both occasions, the pass was just far enough off target so that there was no attempt at Nathan McDonald’s goal.

The best chance fell to Lee O'Leary, from a Kevin Maclaren corner. He found himself in so much space, he had the option of a first-time shot or header at goal or controlling the ball before letting fire. O'Leary took the latter option, and a covering Town defender did enough to block the shot.

Mark Kirby, the Enfield Town captain, was cautioned for a clumsy foul on the edge of his penalty area. Ollie Sprague curled the free-kick over the ball, but also over the bar and wide of the upright.

Two minutes before half-time, Hendon failed to deal with a corner and when the ball came down Tyler Campbell was denied by a good save by Legg, blocking the ball with his feet at the near post.

Three minutes after the break, the Greens should have opened the scoring when Smith was sent clear by a clever diagonal ball from Sam Murphy. Smith was too strong for Kirby, but was thwarted by McDonald, who did well to delay going down and spread himself only when it was necessary to block the ball.

In the 52nd minute, Hendon went behind in most disappointing circumstances. Corey Whitely received the ball on the left corner of the penalty without much danger apparent.

He took the ball forward and then was able to dance around four green shirts to create himself an opening. Legg tried to narrow the angle, but Whitely shot past him for what was an excellent goal in Enfield eyes.

The game's turning point came in the 69th minute. Hendon were awarded a free-kick just beyond the angle of the penalty area, down the right side. Sprague curled the ball over the defensive wall and it was flicked goalwards by O'Leary.

Ibe and Smith ran forward, but both strayed offside when the ball was met by O'Leary's head. McDonald fumbled the ball and it caromed of Ibe, then the post before rolling off the goalkeeper’s body into the goal.

If the ball had gone off McDonald against the upright before going into the net, Ibe and Smith would have been considered passive and thus the assistant referee's flag would have been premature and incorrect. However, as Ibe, in an offside position, made contact with ball, he was active, so the decision to disallow the goal was correct.

Three minutes later, the Hendon defence was caught slow to react when Legg made two good saves, but failed to deal with the rebounds. When the ball then fell to Nathan Livings, no one came out to block his attempt at goal and Legg could not get back into position to make a third save.

Hendon made three changes, one forced, as they tried vainly to get back into the game. Kevin Maclaren made way for Tony Taggart, while James Fisher and Dave Diedhiou came on for Chris Seeby and Morgan.

Still misfiring, Hendon were nonetheless distinctly unfortunate when two or three attempted Enfield clearances found green grass, then a yellow shirt rather than a green shirt. It must be said, that the phrase "you make your own luck" certainly applied to the Towners, whose effort and energy had played a large part in their domination.

There was one final blow to be struck by Enfield. A Hendon attack resulted the ball bouncing on the edge of the Towners penalty area. It fell, once again to yellow shirt, and this time the ball was launched downfield.

Casey Maclaren was the last defender, but the ball travelled over his attempt to deal with the danger. Whitely took full advantage, running onto the loose ball and controlling it just outside the Hendon penalty area.

Legg, probably a bit too far back in anticipation of Maclaren#s header towards him, could not get to the ball in time, so Whitely was able to bring in under control, beat Legg and make it 3–0 to ensure the three points returned to Enfield.

Report by David Ballheimer

Hendon

1
George Legg
2
Chris Seeby
3
Oliver Sprague
4
Casey Maclaren
5
Elliott Brathwaite
6
Kevin Maclaren
7
Aaron Morgan
8
Lee O'Leary
9
Leon Smith
10
Kezie Ibe
11
Sam Murphy
12
Richard Worrell
13
Tony Taggart
14
Max McCann
15
Dave Diedhiou
16
James Fisher

Match Events

Corey Whitely
52''
58''
Tony Taggart replaced Kevin Maclaren
Nathan Livings
71''
Corey Whitely
77''
78''
Dave Diedhiou replaced Aaron Morgan
78''
James Fisher replaced Chris Seeby
Luke Illsley replaced Tyler Campbell
84''
Jame Smyth replaced Michael Kalu
90''

Enfield Town

1
Nathan McDonald
2
Jordan Lockie
3
Joe Stevens
4
Taylor Hastings
5
Mark Kirby
6
Nathan Livings
7
Tyler Campbell
8
Stanley Mugou
9
Liam Hope
10
Corey Whitely
11
Michael Kalu
12
Luke Illsley
14
Phil Kane
15
Jame Smyth
16
Robbie Martin
17
Mitch Hahn