MATCH REPORT: ENFIELD 4-2 ILFORD

E’s record back-to-back league wins in thrilling affair against Ilford

Enfield won their third league match of the season as they overcame Ilford 4-2. The E’s got off to the perfect start thanks to a stunning effort from Jack Folan before Alex Warman made it two not long after. It soon got better for the home side in the first half as Olly Miles netted to make it 3-0.

However, just before the break, the away side pulled a goal back from the penalty spot thanks to Michael Ogboia. After the restart, Ilford cut Enfield’s advantage to just one as Ogboia netted his second of the afternoon. Despite the Ilford fightback, Dwade James sealed the three points after slotting home to cap off a very good afternoon in front of goal for the E’s.

Following on from their midweek FA Cup triumph over Stanway Rovers, Jamie Cureton’s side came into this match with full confidence. Meanwhile, for Ilford, they themselves had an excellent week having defeated Barking in the FA Cup before picking up a win away at Clapton on Wednesday night.

It took the home side just two minutes to make the breakthrough. Ryan Ramsay combined well with Dwade James before seeing his shot crash back off the crossbar. The ball soon fell to Jack Folan on the rebound as the defender curled his effort into the top corner. A perfect start for the hosts to make it Enfield 1-0 Ilford. A few moments later, Enfield were close to doubling their lead as James brought the ball down well before seeing his effort blocked and out for a corner.

From that resulting corner, the E’s made it 2-0. Alex Warman delivered in the set piece as the ball flew straight into the back of the Ilford net. A bizarre goal to score but that didn’t matter to the hosts as it was Enfield 2-0 Ilford after just six minutes. The hosts’ early dominance continued on ten minutes after Olly Miles pulled the ball across to James, who was denied by ‘keeper Josh Blackburn from close range.

In the opening exchanges of the match, it was all Enfield who were showing no signs of slowing down and were looking to add to their two-goal advantage. The ball was fed through to Miles, who attempted to loop the ball over the goalkeeper before sending the rebound wide of the target. A few moments later, Ramsay crossed the ball into Miles’ path, who could only strike over the bar.

With 15 minutes on the clock, Enfield added a third thanks to Miles, who at last got his goal. The forward was played through on goal and he comfortably slotted home for 3-0. An excellent start for Jamie Cureton’s men. Meanwhile, up the other end, Ilford started to threaten in front of goal. Jerold Coblablah’s corner almost caught out James Bransgrove which hit the woodwork before the rebound by Tigana Quebe was tipped over by the E’s goalkeeper. Enfield continued their search for yet more goals and almost did so from a free kick. New signing David Cowley stepped up to the plate, but his effort drifted wide of the post.

Four minutes before the break, the away side were awarded a penalty after Michael Ogboia was tripped in the area. Ogboia stepped up from 12 yards and dispatched of the spot kick to make it 3-1. The score at half-time was 3-1 to Enfield in what was a fantastic first half display from the E’s. However, with the Foxes scoring from the penalty spot before the interval, the game wasn’t yet over and there was still work for Enfield to do.

Just seconds after the restart, Ilford scored their second of the afternoon to reduce the deficit to one. Goalscorer Ogboia was played through on goal as he rounded the on rushing Bransgrove before slotting the ball into an empty net to make it Enfield 3-2 Ilford. The comeback was very much on for the visitors while for the E’s, it wasn’t the start to the second half they were hoping for.

Just minutes after scoring, Ilford almost found themselves level in stunning fashion. Mo Kargbo tried his luck from outside the area, but his shot was inches over. Meanwhile, Enfield were looking to restore their two-goal advantage and almost managed to do so as Ibe was through on goal but could only skew his effort wide. Ibe came close again four minutes later as Cowley intercepted possession as the ball reached the winger, who struck over the bar.

However, with a little over an hour played, the home side made it 4-2. ‘Keeper Bransgrove cleared the ball upfield into the path of Ibe, who played James clean through on goal as the striker made no mistake in slotting home. It was his first league goal and his fourth in all competitions to make it Enfield 4-2 Ilford. With 11 minutes left to play, the E’s were close to making it 5-2. Warman delivered in the corner towards defender Jack Grosvenor, who headed inches over.

As the match headed towards the closing stages, the away side once again threatened this time through Jordon Fisher. The Ilford man was played through on goal, but Bransgrove was on hand to make a fine stop. In the end, however, Enfield held out for the three points and picked up an excellent win to cap off a perfect week. The E’s will be back in action on Tuesday night as they make the short trip to Station Road to take on Takeley.