MATCH REPORT: ENFIELD 1-0 LITTLE OAKLEY

Enfield recorded their six straight league victory following a 1-0 win at home to Little Oakley. Following a goalless first half, the E’s improved after the restart and found the winning goal late on thanks to a header from Alex Warman, leaving them two points off 2nd place.

The home side started the game the strongest and had anopportunity to take the lead on two minutes. Louie Johnson played the ball down the line to Jeffrey Cobblah, who crossedtowards Kieran Bishop. However, the forward saw his effort blocked.

Shortly after, Cobblah tried his luck in front of goal, but ‘keeper Daniel Joyce was there to collect. Meanwhile, up the other end, Little Oakley threatened for the first time. Harry Mann cut in on the left before his shot was blocked.

However, with nine minutes on the clock, Enfield almostbroke the deadlock. Tyler Corlett’s free kick was headed into the path of Jamie Cureton, who shot wide of the target.Midway through the first half, the home side broke away on the counterattack as Corlett played a lovely ball through to Cobblah, but Joyce was there to gather.

Little Oakley continued to threaten but Greg Rodger’s low driven strike hit the side netting. Both sides were continuing to create numerous opportunities in front of goal with the game very much hanging in the balance.

Enfield came close to making the breakthrough yet again. Bishop played the ball to Johnson, who then fed throughCureton, with the forward striking just over the bar. Three minutes before the break and the E’s threatened again. Toby Barlow combined well with Cobblah as the left-back hit his effort straight at Joyce.

On the stroke of half-time, the away side nearly took the lead. Rodger’s corner fells to Will Crissell at the near post, whose flick on was over. Neither side were able to break the deadlock in the first half with the match goalless at the break. It was very much all to play for heading into the second half.

Shortly after the restart, Little Oakley looked to break the deadlock as Sam Cooke’s corner fell to Mann, who headedwide of the target. Meanwhile, three minutes later, Enfield had their first chance of the second half. Alex Warman set up the captain Reece Conway, whose first-time volley was off target.

With 13 minutes to go, the E’s had a huge opportunity to make the breakthrough. Barlow crossed the ball towards Warman at the backpost, whose header was cleared off the line. Not long later, another chance went begging for the home side as Warman’s corner was cleared into the path of Bishop, who struck his attempt wide at the third attempt.

However, with the match heading into the closing stages, Enfield at long last broke the deadlock. Corlett played the ball out wide to Bishop, who then passed to Cureton, with the striker crossing towards Warman, leaving him to head home from close range.

Minutes after scoring, the home side went in search of a second goal. Substitute Samrai Gebrai, making his first appearance since January, tried his luck from distance but his shot was straight into the arms of Joyce.

Deep into added time and Little Oakley were awarded a free kick in a threatening position. Mann stepped up but his attempt was hit straight at the wall. The E’s held out for a huge three points to keep their promotion hopes well and truly alive.