Enfield Town bowed out of this season's FA Cup with a 0-1 reverse at Goldsdown Road. After a good start in the competition, the Enfield Town Tiger was eventually tamed by a solid performance from Thame United. Town started well with an early period of pressure but despite coming close, failed to get on the score sheet, Brotherton seeing an early effort cleared off the line. Town had the best of the opening twenty minutes with Thame defending deep and it looked only a matter of time before they opened their account. Joyce was booked after 23 minutes for the visitors as they dug in to hold off the Town attack. But Thame were starting to settle and a minute later Mitchell headed the ball down to Merritt who blazed over from 7 yards out to show the danger Town faced. Two minutes later Gardner had a cross floated in, drift just over the bar as Thame were weathering the early storm. Stewart was booked on 27 minutes as he tried to deal with the threat from Town.

At this stage Town were looking comfortable but without managing to create many clear chances on goal. A 33rd minute penalty appeal for handball went unheeded, when a ball into the box from Negus took a deflection. At the other end two corners in quick succession from Thame saw Moore head over from close range, as the need for a Town goal was made clear. Five minutes from half time Gardner again had a run on goal but three defenders closed him down. Just before half time Town had a scare when they lost the ball in their own box before Negus claimed it and took it clear, but the danger was building. A minute later Town were caught out as a through ball got behind the Town back line. Campbell called offside as Gardner stole in to take a one on one, with Hall left with little chance. Town almost replied immediately, a through ball from Campbell to Nyman on the right, who beat a defender before centering the ball. Campbell had done well to continue the move, but was unable to provide a shot to beat Smith in the Thame goal, leaving Thame to go in one up at the break.

Thame started the second half as they finished the first, a good spell of pressure as they poured high crosses into the Town box to try and get the second goal to kill off the game. It was four minutes before Town could break out. A free kick from Rudi Hall reaching Matty Negus, but his shot went wide. Smith then had a good run to get to the dead ball line but his cross was kept out. The signs were looking good for Town as they were starting to press forward. Thame had a chance to go two up as the ball was gifted to Gardner, but he failed to take his chance and Town survived. A double substitution on 55 minutes saw Brotherton and Campbell being replaced by Pamplin and Wright. This had an immediate impact when Pamplin raced onto a through ball to set up Smith. Moments later Pamplin saw a chance of his own blocked. As Town stoked up the pressure, Lee Smith was cut down from behind on the edge of the area, but Rudi Hall's free kick was deflected clear off the wall. Pamplin and Joyce had to be spoken to by the referee as things began to get a bit heated, and Merritt over reacted to Pamplin's efforts to get the ball and found himself in the referee's book. Asa had definitely arrived and seemed to be causing mayhem in the Thame defence.

With 62 minutes gone, Nyman cut inside beating Mills to shoot but the ball went over the bar, however following a lengthy period of treatment to a Thame striker, the heat seemed to go out of the Town attack. Thame were breaking the game up and not allowing any urgency to be created in the play. Town were being contained now, and with a little over ten minutes left Pamplin got himself booked for dissent as Town's frustration with the spoiling tactics of Thame started to show. Thame were still a danger though and Stewart could have sealed it eight minutes form time but blasted over when it was easier to score. In a late spell of pressure for Thame, Gardner put a shot wide and Moore broke down the left wing to pull a save from Hall. A last effort from Town almost worked as Pamplin stood up strongly to connect with a cross but just as the keeper seemed beaten, he managed a magnificent save to tip the looping header over the bar. Kitenge came on just before the end and also had a chance, picking up the ball with his back to goal but his shot on the turn went just wide. Gardner had another chance for Thame but it was not needed as the time ran out for Town. On the day Thame were just too well organised, and Town failed to find the punch required up front.

Enfield Town: A. Hall, Campbell (Wright 55), Negus, Baldwin (Kitenge 87), Gant, G. Hall, Brotherton (Pamplin 55), R. Hall, Smith, Riley Nyman Subs not used Ridout, Francis.Bookings: Pamplin.

Thame United: Smith, Mills, Joyce, Freeman, Wiltshire, Merritt, Gardner, Perna, Mitchell, Stewart, Moore : Subs Not used: Foster, West, Goffe, Stewart, Wilson. Bookings: Joyce, Freeman, Merritt, Stewart.

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Town went out of the Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy in front of a poor crowd that deserved more for their commitment. The match started out with so much promise, but ended in frustration as Town were outfought and ultimately outnumbered.

Carey Wright had a good opportunity to open the scoring for Town in the opening minute as Town started strongly. Seconds later, Negus had a low drive from the edge of the box nearly go in off a deflection. Things looked good for Town for a while as they played the ball around in the October sunshine, moving well for each other. After 11 minutes Negus had a cross nearly curl in at the back post, but Kemp managed to head clear. After 15 minutes Manor settled and started to get a bit of possession. Foy causing problems down the right for Gant but was held up just enough and took the ball out of play. Moments later he had another run which drew blocks from Gant and Hall, eventually winning a corner. Unfortunately for Manor, Easterford blazed the corner over from inside the six yard box. But it was clear Town's initial impetus was gone now as they settled back and allowed Manor to come at them.

When Town did get forward Smith did well holding the ball up with his back to goal. Negus provided numerous good crosses in, but Smith couldn't convert, coming close several times. Pamplin was linking up well with Wright, playing some good balls through and it almost paid off on 23 minutes but his run was baulked by Easterford. Daves was lucky not to concede a goal when he blasted a clearance off Wright which looped back goalwards, and nearly caught out his keeper. Town had weathered this period of Manor pressure and were starting to get back into the game, but the early autumn sunshine had gone now, and the blustery cold wind and heavily leaden sky seemed to sap the game of its early promise.

The second half was barely eight seconds old when Phillips set the mark for the rest of the game. His follow through on Pamplin from behind, earned him a booking, and the gloves were off. Manor's early pressure paid off as the failure to clear a cross resulted in Smith lashing a shot past Hall into the Town net. Three minutes into the half and Town were a goal down. The game took on a niggly aspect as repeated rash challenges on both sides went unpunished. Lee Smith managed to pick up a booking in the 56th minute but Town were awarded the free kick. Rudi Hall played the free kick wide to Negus who squared the ball in to Riley. Despite a 360 degree turn he could not get clear for a shot but instead laid the ball off to Campbell for a tap in to equalise. A minute later Baldwin and Wright were replaced by Kitenge and Massala. Kitenge soon impressed with his pace as he ran on to a through ball but his attempt to flick the ball over the defenders head was blocked.

There was trouble at the other end for Town though, as Campbell conceded a penalty and was booked for appearing to clip the heels of Cheesewright as he tried to weave through the Town defence. Hall dived well to his right to save the kick, as it was sent towards the corner of the net. But the dispute over the penalty award was to result in Graeme Hall being shown a straight red card as he made his opinions known. Despite being a man down, Town went looking for the second goal and the pace of Kitenge and Massala caused problems for Southend at the back. With 78 minutes gone Massala was lining up a shooting chance but was knocked off the ball. As everyone waited for the ball to go out of play it stayed in play with the help of the corner flag. Massala's cross was almost reached by Riley, but the game was to move further out of Town's reach four minutes later when Campbell blocked Phillips as he made a run on goal. The inevitable second yellow card meant Town were now down to nine men, and fortunate to stay in the game when Cheesewright could have clinched it with time almost up.

Manor started the extra time well, Hodgson and Hodges both having chances down the left. Phillips drew a good block from Riley as Manor attempted to stretch the game wide and take advantage of their greater numbers. Foy could have scored when he picked up the ball unmarked at the near post, but could not convert. It proved to be his last involvement as early in the second half he injured himself fouling Gant and was replaced by Donnelly. With five minutes to go Riley cleared the ball off his own line at one end, only to pop up seconds later at the other end, his diving header going just wide. Both sides were now taking any opportunity to shoot and with the proverbial last kick of the game Manor won it, when Hodges flashed a shot past Hall for Manor's second.

Southend Manor: Ridgely, Smith, Daves, Cheesewright, Easterford, Phillips, Parker, Kemp, Haydon (Hodges 90), Foy (Donnelly 105), Hodgson (Paviour 93). Subs not used: Pearce.

Enfield Town: Enfield Town: Hall, Campbell, Baldwin (Massala 58), Gant, G.Hall, Negus, Wright (Kitenge 58), R.Hall, Smith (Francis 90), Riley, Pamplin. Subs not used: Brotherton. Booked Campbell (2), Smith. Sent Off: G Hall, Campbell.

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Town dropped two points but should really count themselves lucky it wasn't all three in this puzzling affair against Brentwood Town. Despite Town having most of the play and creating the greater number of chances, Brentwood had the clearer opportunities and could have even won the game as the Town superiority failed to be converted into goals. Town started reasonably well and after a few forays into the Brentwood half, they seemed content to pass the ball around and wait for the goals to come. Brentwood could have taken the lead though, as the Town defence pushed out following a clearance leaving three Brentwood players in the area. When the ball was immediately played back in, Karby left the ball for Durham who hit it straight at Hall. Just after that Hack managed to get clear of the Town defence but though he was flagged offside, the warning signs were there. At the other end Town looked very comfortable and through a corner won by their pressure they took the lead. Negus' accurate ball in took the merest of deflections before finding the back of the net, with Nyman claiming the touch.

Minutes later Nyman had a chance to extend the lead when he picked up the ball in his own half and went on a run through the middle of the field. Attempting to play the ball through for Negus, it was cut out by a defender and the moment was gone. Baldwin then had a chance playing out on the left, after some good passing play by Negus and Geraghty on the right. Negus floated the ball to the back post but Baldwin's first touch saw the shot go across the face of the goal. With twenty minutes on the clock Penney was laid through but Campbell did well to tackle back to clear for a corner. From Karby's corner he headed over but again the danger signs were there to be seen. Brentwood were starting to create chances and Penny was having a good time down the right, as Baldwin was being pushed forward. Baldwin was having a certain amount of success up front though and did well to set up Rudi Hall but he took too long lining up the shot and it was cleared. Town were having most of the possession and pinned Brentwood back into their own box , the keeper receiving four back passes at one point before booting clear for a throw in. Wright beat Kissoon down the right to put over a good ball, but stepovers from Hall and Geraghty allowed the ball to fall for Negus whose shot went just over the bar.

Then things went horribly wrong and Town were made to pay for their inability to make their pressure count. Hack was picked out on the right with more than a hint of offside about him but his ball to Penny was placed neatly past Hall into the corner of the net to level the score. Town's superiority and possession was leading them to push forward in numbers and leaving gaps at the back, which Penny and Hack were trying to exploit on the break and it had just paid off. Town continued to push up though and could have regained the lead just before half time when Negus and Smith both got a head to a Carey Wright cross but neither could direct the ball goalwards.

The second half continued in much the same way though Town's chances were slightly more clear cut. Brentwood still posed a danger and could have had goals of their own. Rudi Hall almost put Smith through in the 50th minute but his header was over, and then Wright played ball through for three Town players to chase, but Hall pulled it wide. Smith's frustration at the way the game was going resulted in a booking for dissent, as Towns game plan seemed to be unravelling. Town were still creating chances though, Smith driving over the bar, and Nyman causing problems on the right. Baldwin was working well down the left and getting crosses in but they were not being picked up. With the clock running down, Pamplin replaced Baldwin, but there was to be no silver bullet this time. Town had a lucky escape when Andy Hall was drawn out of goal and did well to palm the ball away one handed as he was being chipped from the edge of the box.

Town's fortunes at the other end were not improving and Kitenge and Snowden were brought on. Both players did well and worked hard but it was one of those days for Town when the finishing undermined the hard work in the build up play. Negus created an opening with an excellent free kick from the edge of the box. It was floated just over the wall and nearly caught the keeper out, as he struggled to hold it three Town players pounced but it went off the keeper for a corner. Shortly after, Snowden made a good run down the right and his cross seemed certain to reach Pamplin but Grandison appeared, and managed to take the ball off Pamplin's head and put it behind for a corner. Town could have won it at the end when a route one ball from Hall nearly got through to Pamplin, but the blocked ball fell to Nyman. Unfortunately it was spinning wildly and he was unable to control it. Brentwood had an equally good chance to get all three points at the other end, when Pizzey got a ball played through by Goulbourne , but was unable to convert it. All square at the end, and we do it all again on Tuesday night.

Brentwood Town: Pether, Allen, Brewington, Grandison, Karby, Durham, Payne (Goulbourne), Pizzey, Hack, Penny, Kissoon (Neville). Subs not used: Stittle, Isa.

Enfield Town: A.Hall, Wright, Baldwin (Pamplin 66), Gant, G.Hall, Campbell, Geraghty (Snowden 75), R.Hall, Smith (Kitenge 73), Negus, Nyman Subs not used: Acheampong, Farenden. Booked: Smith

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Town got the three points they were after from this game, but despite an improved all round performance they still lacked the cutting edge they were looking for. Two new faces were on show for the Town faithful, both doing well, with Russell Penn formerly of Chelmsford City taking the number ten shirt, and Peter Davies from Braintree playing at eleven. The game started brightly enough for Town with repeated attacks on the Brentwood goal. From a Davies miscue, the ball broke to Smith who took it down the left but his shot missed. Nyman had a good run down the right before cutting the ball back for Smith but his shot hit the crossbar only to bounce on to the line and out. Nyman had a few shots himself and was obviously causing problems in the Brentwood defence. Smith was unlucky not to get on the end of a through cross as the keeper palmed the ball clear. Smith was also proving a handful and picking the ball up with his back to goal he was not allowed to turn, but his lay off to Negus almost paid dividends the shot just going wide.

There was bad news for Town in the 38th minute when Graeme Hall went down under a heavy challenge and had to be replaced by Stuart Snowden. The game continued with Town in a dominant position though, and Brentwood did not seem able to create the chances they had in the last game. A flurry of activity before half time saw chances for both sides. Lee Hack sent Gavin Penny clear down the right but his shot was poor, while at the other end Lee Smith headed a ball in to Nyman but his shot on the turn went wide.

The second half started with a bit more danger from Brentwood. Hall pulled of an amazing clearance on the line and calls for a Brentwood penalty went unanswered by the ref after Lee Hack went to ground on the edge of the area. A long ball from Hall was chased by Smith but the keeper just got to it first but was nearly caught out by the high bounce. In the 61st minute a through ball by Snowden to Davies was flicked out to Negus on the left side of the Brentwood box. He stepped through two challenges before driving the ball low into the opposite corner to give Town the lead. Pamplin came on for Davies who'd had a good debut , and Ridout replaced Nyman who had worked tirelessly all evening. Brentwood were trying hard to get back into the game with a better second half performance and created chances at the end. Three late substitutions giving added impetus to their search for an equaliser but Town held on to claim the three points, though never comfortable without the safety margin of a second goal.

Enfield Town: A.Hall, Campbell, Baldwin, Gant, G.Hall (Snowden 38), Negus, Nyman (Ridout 76), R.Hall, Smith, Penn, Davies (Pamplin 68). Subs not used: Geraghty, Wright.

Brentwood Town: Pether, Goulbourne (Easer 80), Neville, Durham, Read, Brewington, Kissoon, Kentish (Stittle 80), Hack, Penny (Poll 80), Payne.

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A three goal thriller saw Enfield Town go through to the next round following a great game from both sides. Despite the poor conditions which deteriorated throughout the game, both teams played good attractive football. Town went ahead after 26 minutes through a Baldwin strike into the corner of the Diss goal. Diss Town could have replied immediately, but left it until deep into first half injury time before drawing level through an own goal as the ball came off the head of the hapless Smith. Diss continued their strong spell in the second half but could not take the lead despite efforts from Hardy and White. With sixty minutes gone Enfield's Gant was shown a red card for a foul on White, but having defended the free kick, Enfield Town broke quickly from defence to take the lead when Smith was on hand to hammer home from two yards out. Despite the numerical superiority Diss Town could not manage to break down the Enfield Town defence. Jordan Blythe having the best chance in the dying seconds of the game, but he couldn't quite dig out a shot.

Enfield Town started well with Negus shooting wide on 4 minutes. Nyman, Smith and Negus were combining well to give Enfield Town the better of the opening spell. White and Hardy were proving a handful at the other end as the game flowed from goal to goal. With quarter of an hour gone an optimistic drive from Baldwin led to a corner. Negus' cross in putting the keeper under pressure but the whistle went for a foul on Pauling. Despite this Enfield Town were building well down the left and the keeper needed to be quick to keep them out. With 20 minutes gone Smith squandered a chance, blasting over from the penalty spot after Nyman had cut the ball back to him.

Diss Town then had a chance to open the scoring at the other end with a ball whipped in to Hardy, but Campbell did well to head clear. With 26 minutes gone Ridout picked up the ball in the middle for Enfield Town and picked out Carey Wright out wide. His ball in found Smith whose shot was blocked but Steve Baldwin was on hand to drill the ball into the corner past Nathan Pauling in the Diss goal.Diss Town could have replied immediately but the high ball in to the centre fell clear to Hardy, who tried to pick his spot but put the ball just wide to the relief of the home crowd. At the other end Negus seemed to be clear through, but a good tackle by Miller stopped his run.

Diss began to build a bit of pressure towards the end of the first half as first Coren Hardy broke through and then Mathew Clements benefited from a mistimed Campbell jump to cut inside, but although Hall failed to hold his shot it span out for a corner. However despite a good high ball in Diss Town couldn't get on to it before it was cleared. Then Daniel White played the ball in to Mathew Clements whose shot fell to Andrew Key, but he blasted over from the edge of the box. Despite Diss Town finishing the half strongly, Town seemed to have weathered the storm, but following two quick corners for Town, Mathew Clements broke for Diss and ran the full length of the pitch to win a corner. The high ball in moved in the wind and went in off the unfortunate Lee Smith in the last action of the half.

Diss Town started the second half strongly as they went looking to take the lead, and the game became even more affected by the conditions as the already heavy rain got worse. Nyman had a shot pushed wide by Pauling, and a second stopped minutes later, as the keeper was putting in a good performance. Then Daniel White latched onto a long ball but was hauled down by Gant as they both tumbled to the ground. Despite being just in the Enfield Town half the referee had no hesitation in showing him a red card on 63 minutes. However, from the free kick Town broke down the right and the cross in was met by Smith with no hesitation and Town were back in front.

Despite being down to ten men Town still pressed for the third goal whilst but Diss were pushing hard for the equaliser. Both sides could have scored again as the game opened up and Mathew Clements wasted a chance after being set up by Daniel White. In the last 15 minutes Diss Town tried to liven up their attack, bringing on Jordan Blythe who had an immediate opportunity holding off Baldwin to get a shot off, but he was unable to get enough power on it. Smith had a wicked shot from distance, as he worked tirelessly to keep Diss in their own half. Pamplin came on for Nyman in the last few minutes. Smith fired a shot across the goal from wide despite Pamplin's white shirt shining out like a beacon in the goalmouth but the last chance in this entertaining game fell to Diss Town's Jordan Blythe, but he couldn't find the shot needed and the final whistle went moments later.

Enfield Town: A.Hall, Campbell, Baldwin, Gant, Snowden, Negus, Wright, R.Hall, Smith, Ridout(Riley 65), Nyman (Pamplin 88) Subs not used: Geraghty, Wright. Booked: Wright. Sent Off: Gant.

Diss Town: Pauling, Millar ( Gauge 85), Cornish, Clements, Pauling, Wright, Vince, Wright, Hardy, Berry( Blythe 75), Key. Subs not used: Stuart Jenkinson.

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