Road to Wembley - Enfield snatch replay

Enfield Town snatched a late draw against St Albans City in a bad-tempered thriller on Friday night at Goldsdown Road.

Conference South outfit St Albans were on the back foot for long spells as Enfield Town began this game at a fast pace in front of a big home crowd and did not allow them time to settle. Clearly uncomfortable with the tempo of the game, St Albans had to soak up relentless Town pressure.

Paul Campbell should have opened the scoring for Town after 35 minutes, but put his free header just wide of the post. St Albans replied hitting the bar, before tempers frayed completely. With both sides exchanging reckless challenges, Simon Martin was booked for flooring Steven Velandia, and two minutes later Town's David Allen was sent off after a challenge on Davis, as the referee tried to calm things down.

Despite being a man down for the whole of the second half, Town kept up the pressure and showed more endeavour, as they looked for a winning goal but it wasn't all one way. Nick Roddis was creating opportunities for Saints, but Clarke and Davis squandered most of them, failing to find the target.

Town brought on Kojo Ofori after 70 minutes and proved a real handful and subjected to some rough treatment as his persistence caused St Albans problems. He seemed clear when Ada brought him down again, but got away with it. Then two minutes from time, St Albans broke out of their half and a through ball found SIMON MARTIN who fired low under the outstretched Andy Hall.

With Saints relieved to have broken the deadlock it looked all over, but Town refused to give up and were level again within sixty seconds. Paul Campbell went on one of his trademark runs, and evaded two tackles before hitting a shot Saint's Paul Bastock could only parry. KOJO OFORI was on hand to fire home the loose ball to the delight of the home support giving Town a deserved replay.

Enfield Team: A Hall, Campbell, Penn, Gant, Allen, Woodward, Green (Ritchie 72), R.Hall, Hammatt (Ofori 70), Velandia (Brotherton 84), Morgan. Subs not used: Nyman, Smith.
Booked: Green.
Sent off: Allen.
Attendence: 525
MoM: Morgan

The replay will be on Tuesday 27th September for a place at in the 2nd Qualifying Round.