MATCH PREVIEW: LEIGHTON TOWN

Having got our Isthmian North campaign off to a flying start, Enfield now return to cup action as we travel to Bell Close to take on Leighton Town in the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup.

Last Saturday could not have gone any better as the E’s defeated Grays Athletic 3-0 to kick off our league season in style. Luke Hirst, Samrai Gebrai and Sam Bantick were all on the scoresheet for Enfield in what proved to be a convincing result.

Despite the winning start in the league, the focus is now back on the FA Cup as Jamie Cureton’s men face a tricky test against the Spartan South Midlands Champions Leighton in what will be our first away outing of the season. Can we pick up a victory on the road to continue our FA Cup journey?

In the previous round, Enfield defeated Coggeshall Town 2-0 in a comprehensive victory, something we will be hopeful of repeating on Saturday. However, the E’s face a much tougher task when they head to Bell Close, a ground which Leighton Town made a fortress last season. Nonetheless, we will be looking to carry the momentum from our great start to the campaign by booking our spot in the 1st Qualifying Round.

Opposition: Leighton Town

Saturday’s opponents Leighton Town steam rolled their way towards the league title last season, finishing on 91 points, 14 clear of their closest challengers Stotfold, to earn promotion up to Step Four. To get to this round of the FA Cup, Leighton comfortably saw off a fellow Isthmian North competitor of ours in Basildon United 3-0 with all the goals coming in the first half. Last season, Enfield and Leighton faced off against each other albeit in a pre-season friendly in which the Reds prevailed with a 2-1 win.

Following promotion in 2022/23, the Reds now play their football in the Southern League Central Division which features the likes of Ware and Hertford Town. Leighton have made a solid start to the new season, picking up four points from a possible six. After a goalless draw at home to Waltham Abbey on the opening day, Town responded on Tuesday night by defeating Aylesbury United 4-2 away from home for their first league victory. Both Enfield and Leighton are very evenly matched, and the tie may well end up being settled by the odd goal.

Player to watch: Jamie Dicks

E’s midfielder and new signing Jamie Dicks is the player to look out for this weekend. Dicks stole the show last Saturday with an excellent performance in the middle of the park which earned him man-of-the-match against Grays Athletic. Signed from Aveley in the summer, the midfielder was part of the Millers side that finished 4th in the Isthmian Premier division last season before gaining promotion via the play-offs to the National League South.

Dicks has already shown to be a threat from set pieces and provide plenty of crosses into the penalty area. The Enfield man can also do a solid job defensively and will no doubt play a key role once again in the midfield battle on Saturday. His fellow midfield partner against Grays and E’s captain Danny Norton also performed well and provided a brilliant assist to Gebrai for our second goal.