Raunds v Enfield

[postrathaway]

Any reports on the game today, understand it was pretty dire and windy.


P O Strathaway

The Pundit.

[2dodgykeepers]

It was dire and windy but a great result for Raunds who really should have won it late on.

[kilnparkman]

Report coming later today

[kilnparkman]

RAUNDS MAKE BIG IMPRESSION IN FA CUP

After a slow start, Raunds picked up their game and fought back at the higher league opposition – and were unlucky not to come away with a win in this FA Cup preliminary match.

Raunds continued their FA Cup campaign against North Londoners, Enfield FC, after travelling to London Colney two weeks prior and winning 1-0.

The game started off with heavy Enfield pressure, aided by a strong wind, to which they took to their advantage by forcing a number of corner kicks. Freeman was upto the job, though, and showed time and again that he has confidence and ability between the posts.

The tables began to turn after 25 minutes, however, with the Shopmates attacking effectively – a Ty Hicks and Callum Ridgway partnership impressing the crowd. A few minutes later, after persistent pressure, Hicks, Ridgway and Upton combined to formulate a thrilling attack down the right wing. The resulting corner encouraged further attacks on goal, with Adam Taylor acting as the front man. It was captain David Coales who had the best chance of the match upto that point, however, when his header had beaten the opposition goalkeeper, but ended up going just over the crossbar.

Enfield had been looking sleepy – yet a counter attack after 41 minutes caught the home defence on the back foot, a valiant effort was made to quash the attack, yet after a goalmouth struggle the Shopmates were muscled off the ball and the Enfield number 6, Paul Oshin, scored from 8 yards.

Just before the break Taylor had a chance in front of goal, but the ‘keeper managed to block with his legs. Half time 0-1.

With the wind in their favour in the second half, hopes were high for on form Raunds Town, yet there was little inspiration on the pitch, with the only notable moment in the first 20 minutes of the half being the booking of Adam Bridgeford – who was not having a particularly good game.

Shortly after, the game began to pick up and Raunds showed real belief and spirit with a driving shot on goal touched wide by the on form Enfield number 1. The pressure paid off after 78 minutes, when, after a retaken corner and a dramatic goalmouth scrap – Taylor hammered the ball into the back of the net, which was met by a thunderous cheer from the biggest crowd to come to Kiln Park this season.

Raunds weren’t willing to merely defend a draw against the higher opposition though, and the remaining 12 minutes were filled with potential match winning opportunities. After 89 minutes, a magnificent shot on goal was saved by Enfield’s ultimate saviour of the day - the goalkeeper. The resulting corner created two immediate chances on goal – both blocked by defenders. Two free kicks in injury time gave more hope to the fans – yet it was to finish 1-1.

An encouraging display by the Shopmates, who could have beaten the North Londoners – and, with a bit more luck will do so in the replay on Tuesday night (5th September).

Key Players: Ty Hicks and Adam Taylor

Attendance: 109

By: LEE DUNKLEY – RAUNDS TOWN FC PRESS OFFICER

[clubcoach61]

sorry Kilnparkman due to Enfield ground sharing and they drew as well the replay is wednesday.

[clubcoach61]

Raunds Town 2 v Enfield 1

[skip]

Just to show I'm not basis here Enfield's report on the game

Enfield 1-2 Raunds

1st min a foul on Marlon Stuart by Ashley Smith ,From the free kick Ricky Case found space and shot and Freeman saved . Ian Symington then headed wide of Es goal on 9 mins .On 10 mins Raunds took the lead with a shot out of nothing by Danny Frid from fully 25 yards which caught a surprised Paul Daley off his line . Es were all at sea with passes going all over the place and Ian symington had a good chance but Dean Gilbert was on hand to clear away for Es ,On 20 mins Jake Upton fired wide for Raunds ,Mark Whittington got a good head out to deny Adam Taylor Danny Frid was given a good opportunity but Daley denied him his chance. Mark Whittington was replaced by Gbenga sonuga due to a dead leg on 25 mins. At this stage Es were very much second best . But Es did get some momentum going with Louis Lancasters shot going wide . A very deep cross by sherwin stanley almost caught Freeman off his line but he just managed to take it from under his own bar. From a Owen Beale corner Dean Gilberts header was saved by Freeman. Louis Lancasters freekick was just over the crossbar on 35 mins . Symington then got behind es back line and his cross was just cleared away in time by Wes Borghys. Jamie Russell then shot narrowly over Es bar. You have to say Raunds were worth their H/T lead.

At the start of the second half Es were much more positive as Owen Beale's corner was headed inches over the Raunds bar by Gilbert. A good ball into the box and Danny Gabriel just failed to scramble the ball in. On 49 mins a piledriver of a free kick by Louis Lancaster was saved at full stretch by Freeman and Danny Gabriel's follow up was blocked by Coates. Raunds Ashley Smith booked for an off the ball Incident. A Danny Gabriel freekick was then saved by Freeman . Then Ricky Case's cross was headed wide of the target by Marlon Stuart ,And you just had the feeling things were not going to go our way and on 58 mins a cross by Jake Upton saw Louis Lancaster and Paul Daley have a major misunderstanding as Lancaster nudging the ball back to Daley and the ball went inches wide with Daley stranded. From the corner Raunds went two up with Ian Symington ghosting in at the back post to head home. Costelloe on for Lancaster. Es were desperately trying to pull it back and Sherwin Stanley crossed and Marlon Stuart had the ball taken off him as he tee'd up. Danny Gabriel Booked for and off the ball confrontation. But on 77 mins Es finally pulled one back as Gabriels run into the box saw him chopped down by Frid and Es had a penalty. Danny Gabriel took it Freeman saved it by pushing the ball onto the underside of the crossbar but Gabriel prodded home the rebound ,Benjamin on for Taylor for Raunds. Owen Beale was then hacked down but Wesley Borghys was booked for a retaliating tackle a second later.Two late subs for Raunds Stevens on for Hicks and Ridgeway on for Symington. A final chance for Es, Owen Beale's corner and Dean Gilberts header saved by Mike Freeman.

you couldn't argue the result , Raunds defense led by Dave Coates being the main difference. Just one of those games. '
I over heard Colin say the team was magnificent enough said I say well done boys.

[Administrator]

Have you got the link to their website Skip?

[Old Head]

Well done to Raunds last night! I have seen them play this season and Colin has galvanised a good little team there. They play very neat passing football and he is getting the best (& more) out of all the players he has. Thats the sign of a decent coach who is getting his ideas across.

I find it really funny that all the previous nonsense posted about Colin and his move away from WTFC to Kiln-Park on this and the WTFC forum has proved fruitless to the knockers (so far!) and Raunds have started very well.

Well done to Colin & the lads, they are a decent side (not the best looking tho, see the programme pics!) they do not look out of place in the Prem and. In my opinion, if they continue with the belief they seem to have should/will finish top half.

So keep it up.

[skip1]

It was

www.fansfocus.com/forum/postlist.php/Cat/0/Board/UBB12

[kilnparkman]

Fantastic display by our lads. Brought real passion to us fans as well as the players.

Buckingham here we come.


Can't stop and post on other topics now as am busier than Tony Blair's complaints secretary at the moment...