MATCH REPORT: COCKFOSTERS 1-1 ENFIELD FC

Enfield had to settle for a point on the road as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Cockfosters. In what was a disappointing afternoon, Dwade James had opened the scoring for the E’s in the first half. However, they weresoon pegged back in the second thanks to a George Beattie free kick to ensure the points were shared.

Five minutes into proceedings, the home side had the first opportunity of the game as George Beattie’s free kick was saved by James Bransgrove. Shortly after, Cockfosters continued their early threat as Reece Mosanya crossed into the middle though no one could get on the end of it.

Meanwhile, up the other end, Enfield created their first real opening. Alex Warman’s free kick fell to Jack Johnson as the defender’s looping header deflected over. However, four minutes later, the hosts came very close to scoring after Beattie was played through on goal, but Bransgrove was on hand to make a vital stop.

Midway through the first half and Cockfosters almost broke the deadlock. Mosanya played an excellent ball through to Beattie, but his attempt drifted wide of the target. The two combined once again on 34 minutes as Beattie’s close-range effort was blocked by Vinny Murphy.

Despite the constant pressure from the home side, it was to be Enfield that made the breakthrough. The free kick was delivered in by Warman as Dwade James pounced the highest out of everyone to head home past the goalkeeper. A goal that was certainly against the run of play which put the visitors 1-0 in front.

On the stroke of half-time, the home side had a glorious opportunity to equalise as Mosanya’s shot was brilliantly kept out by Bransgrove. The rebound was soon put home by Jack Hockney though it was ruled out for offside. Despite that, Enfield were ahead at the break, but it was Cockfosters who had dominated the opening 45.

14 minutes into the second half, the home side at last found the back of the Enfield net. The hosts were awarded a free kick in a very threatening position. The set piece was taken by Beattie as his attempt wrongfooted Bransgrove and found its way into the back of the net.

With a little over an hour played, Cockfosters pushed for a second and came close to doing so as the shot from Reece Barrett deflected wide. From the resulting corner, the ball was cleared into the path of Luke Marshall, but his shot was over.

Meanwhile, on the other hand, Enfield had a great opportunity to retake the lead. Louie Johnson played a brilliant ball into the path of substitute Olly Miles, but his effort was kept out by ‘keeper Adam Seymour. Five minutes later, Benji Crilley’s cross was headed on by Miles into the path of captain Reece Conway, whose shot was intercepted.

As the match headed towards the latter stages, Samrai Gebrai was introduced for the E’s. Gebrai almost made the instant impact as he pulled the ball across to Conway, but his attempt was blocked. With 12 minutes to go, the visitors thought they should have had a penalty after Miles was brought down. However, nothing was given by the referee.

In the last four minutes of the game, Enfield were inches away from making it 2-1. Warman’s free kick fell to Gebrai as the forward’s header was tipped over superbly by Seymour. Meanwhile, the home side also went in search of a winner as Marshall’s cross fell into the path of Ryan Wade, who couldn’t quite get the touch needed to tap home.

With a minute to go, the ball was loose on the near side of the hosts penalty area as Alfie Mason’s first-time effort struck the side netting, In the end, the match finished in a draw, a result that both sides will have felt disappointed not to come away with all three points.