MATCH REPORT: ENFIELD 1-2 ATHLETIC NEWHAM

Enfield suffered back-to-back league defeats following a 2-1 loss at home to Athletic Newham. Richard Kone gave the away side the lead in the first half before late on in the game Enfield looked to have salvaged a point when Dwade James converted from the penalty spot. However, in the last minute, Kone scored his second of the game to win all three points for the visitors as Newham leapfrogged Enfield into 5th.

With just two minutes on the clock, the away side had the games first effort on goal after James Runham’s shot drew a good save out of James Bransgrove. Meanwhile, up the other end, Enfield threatened for the first time after Alex Warman’s corner fell into the path of Jack Grosvenor, but his header was straight at ‘keeper Wilkinson Boateng.

Enfield soon came close to breaking the deadlock on 12 minutes after Roman Michael-Percil combined well with Warman before seeing his effort kept out by the goalkeeper. Two minutes later, Newham had an opportunity to score after an error from Bransgrove gifted the ball to Kone, who looked to set to score before Tyler Corlett made a last-ditch tackle.

However, just moments later, the away side broke the deadlock after a loose ball inside the Enfield area fell to Kone, who netted from close range. Shortly after conceding, the E’s were determined to get level but Reece Conway was unable to head home from Warman’s free-kick.

Meanwhile, on 20 minutes, Newham were close to adding to their advantage as Kone was played through on goal, but Bransgrove was down to make a good save. It was proving to be all Newham in the first half and just shy of the half-hour mark, missed two chances to make it 2-0. Bransgrove denied Anderson Baro on the edge of the area before Joel Appiah saw his effort crash back off the crossbar.

The E’s were still continuing to search for an equalising goal as Warman’s corner fell to James but his close range attempt was blocked by the away side. The resulting corner was played short to Warman, but the midfielder saw his shot cleared off the line. Yet another chance went begging for the home side as James’ shot was gathered by the goalkeeper.

With three minutes to go in the first half, following a dropped a ball, Michael-Percil made an excellent run into the Newham penalty area, but his final attempt proved comfortable for Boateng. Meanwhile, just shy of half-time, Kone did well on the far side as he squared the ball into the middle but Corlett was there to clear.

Newham were 1-0 ahead at the break but it was still very much all to play for in the second half with Enfield determined to get back level. The first opportunity since the restart came on the hour mark as Warman’s free-kick was palmed away by Boateng before the rebound from Michael-Percil was saved.

Three minutes later, Newham had a chance as Kone headed wide of the target from a free kick. As the match headed towards the closing stages, the E’s continued to push for a goal as Ryan Ramsay’s cross towards James was headed into the path of Alfie Mason, whose volley was blocked.

However, in the 85th minute of the game, Enfield were handed a lifeline as they were awarded a penalty following a handball inside the area. James stepped up from 12 yards as his spot kick went in off the post. It was set to be an entertaining finale between the two sides.

With the momentum beginning to swing the way of the home side, it proved to be Athletic Newham who would snatch all three points in the dying embers of the match. The ball fell to Kone on the edge of the area as the striker curled a delightful strike into the top corner to win it for the away side. A quite sensational finish to win the game in added time.