Abbotts rocked by Enfield

Our love affair with Waltham Abbey came to an abrupt end on in the 1st Round Qualifying of the FA Cup. Enfield Town from the higher Southern League Div 1 East beat them 3-0 to set up a tie against Nationwide Conference South team St Albans City.

In front of a lively crowd the two sides fought out tough game for a place in the next round. Under a leaden sky Enfield Town took the lead with a dream start when Matt Negus was picked out by a Rudi Hall cross. MATT NEGUS headed past John Hickman in the Waltham Abbey goal after three minutes giving Enfield Town the lead.

It was all Enfield but the Abbotts began to get into the game more towards the end of the half, Ayres having a shot before playing in James Elmes, the move only ending when Westley Rutherford's shot was gathered by Hall.

In the second half Hugh Ashman almost got Abbey back level as soon as he came on with a scramble in the goal mouth but the threat was cleared, and John Sapsford blasted a free kick into the wall.

A equaliser looked certain but a dreadful mistake allowed Town to extend their lead. Abbey's unfortunate DAVE AYRES nodded back to his keeper unchallenged only to see it go into an empty net as Hickman had come to collect. Despite efforts to get back into the game Abbey struggled to find that final touch and Town were more comfortable now with a two goal cushion. NEGUS was on hand for a second time to claim Enfield Town's third as the game went into injury time. As the ball was cleared from the Waltham Abbey box, he hit home a low 30 yard drive which John Hickman could only get a hand to, giving Town an underserved 3-0 victory.

Team : Hickman, Sontag, Burt, Ayres, Forde, Page, Homa Ashman (Sapsford), Power, James Elmes, Harry Elmes, Rutherford (Hugh Ashman)
Attendence: 314
MoM: James Elmes

Enfield Town now become our Road to Wembley team. They play host to St Albans City this Friday 23rd September at 7.45pm.