We Are The Stags Online

A storming display of finishing by two goal Jermain Hughes led the Stags to the final of the Essex Senior Cup for the first time in many years. His attacking prowess and the impeccable display of defenders Marc Ward, Carlos Brown, Glen Harvey and ‘keeper Charlie Hasler meant that their higher division opposition barely got a look in in the second half of the game.

The game started with Swifts in full flight as they swung the ball over all areas of the park and it took fifteen minutes for the Stags to come to terms with this as they defended resolutely. It took until that time for the Stags to have their first shot whilst Swifts should have been ahead by two goals.

The first half ended in equality but the second half was a different story. The Stags kept Swifts down to only long range shots whilst their won front runners began to get to the goal line and put in their crosses.

The Stalemate was broken on 54 minutes when Papy Kanyuka beat the left back and swung over a cross which Hughes headed in neatly at the far post, the ‘keeper having been pulled towards the front post. Both Marc Ward and Wesley Thomas went close on a number of occasions whilst the Stags applied the pressure.

Hughes popped up once again twenty minutes later to head home from a corner after the Swifts defence had taken their eyes off him once again. Then it was left for Wes Thomas to seal the tie with four minutes of the match left when he broke through. the middle of the static Swifts defence to shoot home under the advancing ‘keeper.

The only question left is whether this was the semi final or the final. With both of the other semi finalists under FA and Essex FA investigation after their tie was abandoned for an all out pitch brawl, it is possible that both teams could be thrown out of the competition. One remembers us being thrown out of the competition for playing an ineligible player. On those grounds the FA should give them both a fair play award and let them play in the final!

By Tony Brazier

A Rudi Hall strike on the 76^th minute was enough to win this local derby and take Enfield Town to the top of the table. Town started the stronger but Forest defended well and restricted the visitors to long range shots.

Forest front man Leon McKenzie was taken to hospital  after twisting his knee with only 11 minutes of the game played, this depleted their strength up front. Both sides began to give away free kicks for niggling fouls but it was Forest’s Jermain Hughes who had a good chance to put the home team in front just before the break, unhappily his shot was easily saved by Hall.

Forest started the stronger in the second half when their best chance fell to Wes Thomas but his shot lacked the power to trouble Hall. Moments later he made amends by beating the Town offside trap and sending a lovely cross over but Richard Georgiou was just unable to profit from it.

Next Saturday 11^th February we make our first visit to Stamford.
Stamford play at the Vic Couzens Stadium, Kettering Road, Stamford. Telephone 01780-763079.

By Road
Make your way to the M11 northbound. Continue to the end of the motorway (about 50 miles) and join the A14 towards Peterborough. After 16 miles join the A1(M) at junction 14, still heading for Peterborough, Continue to Junction 17 (about 11 miles), and then join the A1 towards Grantham. After 9½  miles take second exit off roundabout on to B1081 (Old Great North Road) towards Stamford. In 1¼ miles turn left on to A43 (Kettering Road), and then first right into Wothorpe Road.
There is some on-site parking.

By Public Transport

By Victoria Line to Kings Cross. Take Great North East Railway train to Peterborough (departs on the hour), and arrive at Peterborough after 46 minutes. Then join Central train towards Birmingham (leaves Peterborough at 56 minutes past the hour) for the 12 minute journey to Stamford. The Station is adjacent to the Ground.
Trains return from Stamford on the hour, and there are departures for Kings Cross from Peterborough at 17.36 and 17.48.
Return fare from Kings Cross is £28.00.
On Wednesday 15^th February we visit Harlow Town, kick-off 7.45pm.
Harlow Town play at The Sports Stadium, Hammarskjold Road, Harlow. Telephone: 01279-445319.

By Road
Make your way to the M11 northbound, and exit at Junction 7. Take the A414 into Harlow taking the 2^nd exit at the first roundabout, and the first exit at the 2^nd roundabout into Second Avenue (A1025). Go straight on at two roundabouts and at the 3^rd roundabout take the 2^nd exit into Velizy Avenue (dual carriageway). Go straight on at first roundabout, and at second roundabout take 2^nd exit into Hammarskjold Road. Take the first right into the car park.

By Public Transport
Victoria Line to Tottenham Hale, then One Railway to Harlow (departures about every 15 minutes to Harlow). Journey time from Tottenham Hale 25-30 minutes. Ground is about a mile from the Station. Trains return at 09, 15 and 45 minutes past the hour. A cheap day return from Walthamstow Central costs £8.10.