MATCH REPORT: ENFIELD 0-1 TAKELEY

Enfield made it back-to-back league defeats following a 1-0 loss at the hands of Takeley. An early goal from George Wappett proved enough for the visitors, who kept the E’s attack at bay to pick up three points away from home for the first time since January.

With just three minutes on the clock, Takeley made the breakthrough after George Allum played Wappett through on goal, who slotted into the bottom left corner. A perfect start to the match from Takeley.

Shortly after conceding, the E’s threatened an equaliser as Samrai Gebrai’s header from Alex Warman’s corner was punched away by goalkeeper Hayden West. Four minutes later, Enfield came close to levelling through Warman. However, his free kick was tipped over the bar by West.

However, with 12 minutes gone, Takeley nearly added a second. George Frodsham’s attempted cross almost troubled James Bransgrove but the E’s shot stopper was on hand to make the save.

Midway through the first half and the home side continued to threaten in front of goal but missed a host of chances. Firstly, Louie Johnson’s curling effort was kept out by the goalkeeper before minutes later, Warman’s free kick was headed on by George Essuman into the path of Jack Cousins, but the midfielder was unable to latch onto the loose ball.

Enfield kept getting close to finding that equalising goal but once again struggled to hit the target. With just over half-an-hour played, the ball fell to Alfie Mason on the edge of the area but the full-back struck his effort over the bar. Not long later, Tyler Corlett’s cross almost caught out West, but the ball was hit onto the roof of the net.

Shortly before half-time, another chance went begging for the hosts as Mason’s free kick was saved by West before the follow-up shot was blazed over from Corlett. Five minutes later, Gebrai’s cross towards Johnson was struck off-target from the midfielder.

The E’s were a goal behind at the break but had dominated the first half and looked likely to find an equaliser. However, as the second half progressed, the chances soon dried up for them.

As the match approached the hour mark, Enfield had arguably the big opportunity to get level. Johnson played a perfectly timed pass through to Jeffrey Cobblah, who was denied by West. Six minutes later and the home side came very close once again. Jack Grosvenor headed the ball into the path of Cousins, whose close-range header was saved by West.

With 10 minutes to go, Takeley almost doubled their lead, but Elliot Long’s free kick was hit just off-target. Despite that, the away side held out for the win despite the constant Enfield pressure to all but end their play-off hopes.