Margate travelled to Donkey Lane top of the table with only two defeats in the seventeen league games they had played and left disconsolate and dejected after being completely outplayed by a Town side who displayed some fantastic football putting in a hard working determined performance which rates as one of the best games (if not the best!) played since the club were formed in 2001. For the neutral present it would of looked like the home side was the team at the top of the division with Margate down in fourteenth place. I may be biased being an Enfield Town fan but aside from a short ten minute spell at the beginning of the second half when striker Ryan Moss equalised for The Gate, it was Bradley Quinton's side who were much the better team over the full 90 minutes played.
It was an amazing atmosphere at Donkey Lane especially in the second half when club legend Liam Hope came off the bench to secure the victory with a expertly taken finish from outside of the box. Hope's goal was his 107th for the club making him Enfield Town's all time record top scorer.
From Nathan McDonald who brilliantly saved Charlie Allen's penalty in the first 10 minutes of the game to Corey Whiteley who run his socks off up front for the Town and was deservedly given man of the match it was an amazing evening for Bradley Quinton's side who are now in ninth place in the Ryman Premier Division. Every Town player grafted and worked tirelessly for the result.
The Gate fans may say the game turned on the second penalty decision of the evening which was given for a foul on Town forward Jon Constant. Ryan Doyle's first effort was well saved by Nikki Bull but for the referee to order a retake following Lewis Taylor encroaching into the box before the kick was taken - you'll see from the replay that Taylor was nearly in front of Doyle taking the first kick. It was here the away side really lost their discipline and took their frustrations out on the referee, who had made the correct decision, resulting in a flurry of bookings given out. Doyle's second spot kick hit the back of the net to the delight of the Town fans behind the goal who had been noisy all night long with some great support for their side.
A Margate fan summed up the game well in saying he thought Enfield Town were the best side they had played all season. The victory puts Town up into ninth position in the Ryman Premier Division which is only two points below our local rival's Wingate and Finchley. Who would of thought that after 16 and 17 games played both The Blues and Town would be well clear of the relegation zone and looking up rather than down.
The smile on every Town player and supporters face on ninety minutes summed up a memorable evening for the club. I really can't remember an Enfield Town team playing any better than that against a side who will be at the top end of the division at the business end of the season. If you are local to Enfield or haven't been to support the team lately please come down and see the Town in action.
Bradley Quinton's side are now on a good run of form but he will be keeping the player's feet firmly on the ground in preparation for Saturday's trip to Dereham Town in the FA Trophy.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS are below courtesy of the excellent @ETFCTV
A full match DVD will be available soon - Please contact the Enfield Town club shop for more details
RYMAN PREMIER DIVISION CURRENT TABLE
TOP NINE ONLY
| POS | TEAM | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS | WIN% | PPG | FORM |
| 1 | MARGATE | 18 | 14 | 1 | 3 | 41 | 18 | +23 | 43 | 77.78% | 2.39 | WWLWWL |
| 2 | MAIDSTONE UNITED | 16 | 14 | 0 | 2 | 41 | 12 | +29 | 42 | 87.50% | 2.63 | WWLWWW |
| 3 | HENDON | 18 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 31 | 22 | +9 | 36 | 55.56% | 2.00 | WWWWDD |
| 4 | DULWICH HAMLET | 18 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 29 | 17 | +12 | 32 | 50.00% | 1.78 | DWWLDD |
| 5 | LEISTON | 18 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 38 | 28 | +10 | 31 | 50.00% | 1.72 | LWDLWW |
| 6 | MET POLICE | 17 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 29 | 21 | +8 | 29 | 47.06% | 1.71 | LWDLWW |
| 7 | WINGATE & FINCHLEY | 16 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 28 | 24 | +4 | 26 | 50.00% | 1.63 | WDLLLW |
| 8 | GRAYS ATHLETIC | 16 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 22 | 19 | +3 | 24 | 43.75% | 1.50 | LWLDWL |
| 9 | ENFIELD TOWN | 17 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 25 | 25 | 0 | 24 | 41.18% | 1.41 | LDDWWW |
Town's next league game could be as long away as Monday 17th November 2014 as next Tuesday's scheduled home game against Peacehaven and Telscombe is off as The Magpies have a County Cup match. Then Saturday 8th November's Ryman League game against East Thurrock United is off due to The Rocks continued involvement in the FA Cup. They have the small matter of a trip to League Two Hartlepool United to look forward to. Town are due to play Witham Town away on Saturday 15th November but this fixture could be cancelled as this date is when the next round of the FA Trophy is due to be played. So should either Enfield Town (v Dereham Town) or Witham Town (v Royston Town) get through this game will also be off.
Town do have a Middlesex Senior Cup Second Round home tie versus Hanwell Town scheduled for Tuesday 11th November.
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