Match Preview - Enfield Town (H)

We are back at the Maurice Rebak Stadium on Saturday, as our pre-season campaign approaches its conclusion, ahead of the 2025/26 Isthmian Premier League season. Before the season commences, we have three final pre-season matches; two at Summers Lane starting on Saturday with National League South opposition in local neighbours Enfield Town, before our season gets underway on Saturday 9th August.

Our Opponents

Enfield Town FC was formed in 2001 and is a proudly fan-owned club, progressing from the Essex Senior League to the National League South over the past two and a half decades, moving into the permanent home in 2011.

We shared the Isthmian Premier division with our North London neighbours for ​over 10 years from 2011/12 when Enfield Town were promoted from the Isthmian North division until their eventual promotion in 2023/24. After narrowly missing out on a playoff spot in the two previous seasons, the Towners had their first taste of Isthmian Premier playoffs in 2016-17, coincidentally a season in which Wingate & Finchley also made the playoffs, but both sides succumbed at the semi-final stage; the Blues to Bognor Regis and Towners to Dulwich Hamlet. Enfield had another go at the Isthmian Premier playoffs, finishing 3rd in 2021-22 but again lost at the semi-final stage, this time to Hornchurch. In 2023/24, the two North London sides met in the playoff semi finals, Enfield taking the tie 1-0 in a tight affair, before going on to beat Chatham Town 3-0 in Kent in front of 3,000 fans at The Bauvill Stadium.

Last season, the Towners held their own in the National League South, despite being tipped by many for relegation from the start, in their first season at that level. They finished on 48 points from their 46 matches which ensured they were 3 points clear of St Albans City in the final relegation spot. 17 goals from midfield maestro Sam Youngs were vital in securing their safety and Towners fans will be delighted to see Youngs committing for the 2025/26 season.

Head To Head

In our last season together, in 2023/24, we saw a 4-1 defeat at home in October 2023, Elliot Long scoring our only goal, but managed to get a point at Donkey Lane in February 2024, with Zack Newton and Anointed Chukwu putting us 2-0 up at half time, before the home side’s comeback to draw level. The last time we beat the Towners was in February 2022, running out 4-1 victors at home on a cold Tuesday night. Antonis Vasiliou had two goals that night.

Last Time Out

The Blues' pre-season campaign has seen them face teams from all across the non-league pyramid, as Ahmet Rifat tests his players against a range of opposition, and Saturday's opposition are the toughest test yet. We have had victories at Barnet Lane over Sutton Common Rovers (4-1) and Royston Town (3-1) before most recently winning away at Hendon (3-2). Both defeats have been high-scoring affairs, losing 3-2 to Grays Athletic and Welwyn Garden City, and also playing out a goalless draw at Uxbridge.

Enfield's pre-season campaign started with a 4-2 defeat to League One side AFC Wimbledon, before a 1-0 win over Canvey Island, followed by defeats at Walthamstow (1-0) and Potters Bar (2-1) before an impressive 2-0 win over fellow National League South side Braintree Town on Tuesday. After this weekend's clash, the Towners will take on Arsenal and Spurs U21 sides before their league campaign commences.

Players To Watch

As well as the aforementioned goalscoring midfielder Sam Youngs, Enfield Town have looked to bolster their goalscoring ranks with the signings of Harry Lodovica, a 6 ft 5 in striker most recently of Maidstone United and Tommy Wood who joined from Hornchurch, after also appearing for Cheshunt last season.

For Wingate & Finchley, Camilo Restrepo scored twice last weekend (including a calmly taken penalty - below) as he looks to continue his impressive start to his Blues career - scoring five goals in 25 games since his arrival from Hashtag United last season. At the back, there are plenty of familiar faces including goalkeeper Charlie Grainger, captain Billy Cracknell and full-back Rhamar Garrett-Douglas who have all committed for the 2025/26 season. New signings are to be announced soon but why not come down and take a look for yourself at the team which Ahmet has assembled this weekend!

Tickets can be purchased online (at a discounted price) or on the gate on matchday. Cash and card is accepted throughout the stadium, and our bar and hot food hatch will be open as normal for Saturday's game. We will also have a range of old merchandise on sale at a discounted price in the bar, including training tops, hoodies, polo shirts and jackets. We look forward to welcoming you back to the Maurice Rebak Stadium this weekend.

Photos courtesy of Martin Addison.