NO GOALS BUT STURDY PERFORMANCE AGAINST LOWESTOFT TOWN

Despite Town not hitting the back of the net today it was a highly promising performance as Lowestoft were restricted to only a handful of chances in front of goal. Jason Holmes who replaced Rob Blackburne with about half an hour to go pulled off two excellent saves to earn a well deserved clean sheet for Steve Newing's squad.

There was a different look to the formation at the start of the game with Town lining up in a 4-1-3-2 instead of the usual 4-4-2. Lee Protheroe moved forward to sit in front of the back four with Michael Bardle, Richard Morton and Fabio Valenti making up the rest of the midfield with Deniz Mehmet and Liam Hope starting up front. Full line ups are below.

There was little goalmouth action of note in the first half with Town's best chance (and the chance of the game) falling to Morton when Valenti's inviting cross was unluckily headed wide of the target.

It was good to see Paul Marks returning to the centre of the Town midfield at the break, it only took him a few minutes before showing some silky skills with a back heel in the box.

The usual pre-season changes came at the break and with a few more made on sixty minutes it meant that the XI that started the game were different to that that finished the game.


Town worked hard against a rigid Lowestoft back four in the second half and were unable to fashion any real chance of note, the imposing centre back pairing of Greg Crane and Matthew Halliday put in a good performance for the visitors.

It was the same going the other way for the Trawlerboys as Town's defence put in an effective performance especially John Kendall who replaced Mark Kirby (who had picked up a knock) mid-way through the first half.

All in all a resilient and strong performance against a team who no doubt will be right up the top of the Ryman Premier division this season. On another day Town's attacking would of paid off with a few more goalmouth opportunities.

Final Score - 0-0

Enfield Town First Half

Rob Blackburne

Phil Kane

Mark Kirby (sub John Kendall)

Craig McKay

Jordon Lockie

Lee Protheroe

Michael Bardle
Richard Morton

Fabio Valenti

Deniz Mehmet

Liam Hope

Enfield Town Second Half

Rob Blackburne (sub Jason Holmes 60 mins)

Phil Kane (Jay Siva 60)

John Kendall

Richard Butler

Paul Campbell

Paul Marks

Ben Hammond

Michael Bardle (Dan Forward 60)

Richard Morton (Dennis Maharjan 60)

Scott Buckeridge

Liam Hope (Bryan Hammat 60)

Lowestoft Town starting line up -

Reynolds, Caucher, Masden, Fisk, Crane, Halliday, Godbold, Ainsby, Forshaw, Francis, Mitchell.

Subs - Bussens, Finch, Haynes-Brown, Cave-Brown, Smith.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS BELOW -