A long coach journey for the Ladies as we left London for our 3rd round Womens FA Cup Qualifying Match in the pouring rain and lightning and arrived in the Norfolk Broads to face Wroxham , in the pouring rain but thankfully no lightning. 

The pitch however was perfectly playable albeit wet and sticky in parts, it was game on.

We started the game slowly and didn’t really pose a threat until 10 minutes into the game when Karesha Iton was put through only to shoot straight at the keeper. 

On 19 minutes we did however get the breakthrough. Amy Nash played a clever ball with the outside of her boot into the path of Karesha Iton who this time made no mistake and calmly lobbed the keeper from 20 yards to make it 1-0 

Grace Taylor was then called into action on 30 minutes and produced a fine double handed save to keep the score at 1-0

Wroxham played some nice football but the back three of Sheryce Slater Beth Powell and Danielle Smith remained solid and they were struggling to get beyond them and create any meaningful shots on goal. 

All the pressure in front of goal came from the ladies trying to extend their lead. Firstly Karesha Iton was again clean through after a fine through ball from Katie O’Leary and was clearly tripped in the box. But she kept on her feet and tried to steer the ball passed the keeper but the keeper was quick off her line and made a fine save. However the penalty appeal was turned down. Olivia Syson then Headed over the bar from close range, Katie O’Leary had a free kick saved by the keeper and so we went into half time with a deserved 1-0 lead albeit not at our best. 

Second half the ladies started more dominant. Chance after chance being created looking for the second but the final ball letting us down. 

In the 63rd minute we finally got the deserved second goal of game and what a goal it was. Superb play from the back found it’s way to Katie O’Leary on the half way line who played a quick one two combination with Leah Littlechild who first time played in to Karesha Iton just inside the box. She then used her strength to swivel around the defender and curl into the top corner to make it 2-0

Not content with managing the game the ladies tried to kill off the game and find a third as Wroxham started to run out of ideas. More chances were created but it was not until 92nd minute when Rebecca Evans broke up play in the middle of the park and played a quick pass forward to Olivia Syson who took one touch and curled in left footed from 25 yards to make it 3-0. 

A real TEAM performance for the ladies as we March into the First Round Proper where we will face Norwich City Away on Sunday 13 November.

POM – Grace Taylor

Jess Carpanini has suffered a ruptured ACL in our first pre season friendly versus Wycombe Wanderers.

This is devastating news for Jess after she landed awkwardly on her knee and is now awaiting for date for surgery.

Everyone at Enfield Town Ladies wishes her a speedy recovery.

Enfield Town Ladies FC and LondonEnergy have announced a two-year sponsorship deal. The agreement will see the north London waste management and sustainable energy provider become the main shirt sponsor for club’s first team, who recently started their 2022/23 campaign in the London & South East Regional Women’s league.

The agreement will also see LondonEnergy take pride of place on the club’s under 10’s, 15’s and 16’s age groups as well as the first and third team shirts.

Founded in 1985 Enfield Town Ladies FC has grown to become one of the largest and longest established girls and women’s football clubs in southeast England. With 11 teams and over 160 playing members the club is also England Football Accredited maintaining a 3-star accreditation – the highest possible. 

LondonEnergy helps over two million north London residents to reuse, recycle and recover energy from their waste. In addition to running six recycling and reuse centres across the region the company’s flagship EcoPark facility uses waste that cannot be recycled to produce sustainable energy – enough to power 80,000 homes in the region every year. 

Commenting on the deal Enfield Town Ladies FC Chairman, Richard Blundell, said: “We are delighted that LondonEnergy have chosen to sponsor 5 of our teams for the next two years. Their support for 2 of our Senior Teams (1sts and 3rds) as well as 3 of our Youth Teams (U10s, U15s and U16s) enables us to continue to provide opportunities for girls and women from the local community to play and enjoy football. A huge thank you to LondonEnergy from everyone associated with Enfield Town Ladies Football Club!”

LondonEnergy’s Managing Director, Jim Kendall, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for us to support a local club that is devoted to providing football for all. We are delighted to have become the new first team sponsor but equally important for us is the opportunity to help support the club’s youth teams and to be part of their continued growth. We wish all the teams every success for their upcoming season.”

The ladies hosted a WSL side for the first time in a pre season friendly with West Ham Women.

The game was never going to be about the result and it was always about the players having the experience to play against a top side and for the club to be able to host such a prestigious game under the lights, so it was a Win Win as far as everyone involved with the club was concerned.

The girls started the game very well and created a a couple of good opportunities before West Ham broke the deadlock on 8 minutes with their first real opportunity. A few minutes later a wonder goal from Japanese International Yui Hasegawa scoring an unbelievable 25 yarder into the top left hand corner had the Enfield Bench and Players applauding.

The confidence of the West Ham players in the final third with their quick combination play was now evident and it was clear they were going not going to take their foot of the gas this evening and a quick third from the visitors followed

Then on 22 minutes the ladies scored their first goal from open play. A deep cross from Sheryce Slater was headed into the box by Olivia Syson and the ball fell to Claire Huggins who calmly slotted the ball passed the keeper.

Despite some valiant play from the Ladies and some opportunities being created more goals followed for visitors who were in a lethal finishing mood and we went into the break 1-7 at HT.

Town made 4 changes at HT, but within a minute of the restart the visitors extended their lead.

The game then remained goalless with opportunities at both ends until the visitors further extended lead on 71 and then again on 77 minutes.

In the 80th minute the ladies scored their second goal of the night from open play. Good work down the right and cross to Lauren Cann who volleyed the ball over the keeper into the far corner from the edge of the box. 2-10 and a great moment for the young forward.

The last goal of the night was scored towards the end of the game by the visitors to make it 2-11. A tough night for the ladies, but on reflection a fantastic experience for everyone concerned. Three 16 year olds making their home debuts shows the pathway the club provide and it was certainly a night to be proud of.

Manager Dean Perrett spoke to ETLFC TV after the game “I thought we started the game very well and scored two good goals from open play. I am so proud of all the players for the way they battled, didn’t give up and enjoyed the occasion. We also had 3 16 years old from the Youth Pathway making their debuts so I take away so many positives from the game. My extended thanks to West Ham and Paul Konchesky for bringing down an experienced side and we hope we can invite them down again next season. We had a great crowd here tonight and we hope to see many of them at the QE next season”

The non official attendance was around 250.

The Ladies has secured a mouth watering pre-season home friendly against West Ham United Women of the WSL on Wednesday 27July at the QE with a 745pm Kick Off.

West Ham United have recently appointed Paul Konchesky as their new Manager Konchesky, who prior to his role with the women’s team spent three years working in the West Ham United Academy.

First Team Manager Dean Perrett says ‘This is a fantastic fixture for the players and staff and everyone associated with the Club. We hope to get a nice crowd in at the QE and just enjot the occasion’.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at a dicsounted rate using the following link;

Enfield Town Ladies vs West Ham United Women

The Ladies First Team have appointed former Harlow Town Ladies Manager Dean Perrett as their new manager for the 2022-2023 season.

Perrett, a former professional footballer guided Harlow Town to the FA Women’s National League for the first time in their history before leaving the club mid way through the 2021 season.

After being appointed Perrett said “This is a fantastic club with great traditions and with teams starting from Under 10s right through to a pathway into Senior Football is just the project I’ve been looking for and I can’t wait to get started’.

Dean takes over from Billy Highton who has been at the helm for the last 4 seasons but due to work commitments can no longer continue. Jade Dempster also leaves her role as Head Coach.

Perrett says on stability “I’m don’t want to rock the boat. We have some great players and staff already here so any changes will be minor but I hope with my experience we can change the fortunes of the last 12 months and I can’t wait to get started”

The Ladies travelled to Top of the Table Billericay Sunday looking to improve on their previous league perfomance against Actonions.

The Ladies started the game very well, setting the tempo and on the playing on the front foot. Mollie Kmita and Leah Littlechild were enjoying some early space behind the Billericay back 3.

In the 7th minute there was a shout for handball in the area when a Billericay defender handled when trying to control the ball, but the referee did not feel it was deliberate despite vociferous appeals from the Enfield players and Bench and waved play on.

Enfield were beginning to be on top and on 27 minutes took a deserved lead. Good hold up play from Che Thomas pulled it back to Leah Littlechild whose first time whipped cross to the back post was met by the oncoming Mollie Kmita who smashed in the back of the net. 1-0.

The Ladies were well on top and winning their battles in midfield and the back 4 also resolute in winning their tackles when a crunching tackle from Nuala McKevitt on one of the Billericay Players stopped play for around 5 minutes. The break in play seemed to help Billericay get better organised and began to get on top after the restart.

On 42 minutes the hosts were level. Their Centre Midfielder fell on the ball and clearly handled, players stopped and appealed but the ref once again didn’t see a handball 5 yards in front of him and the ball was quickly played forward into their striker who lobbed Taylor from the edge of the box. 1-1.

The second Half started much the same as the first. Enfield controlling the first 10-15 minutes, but Billericay coming back into it a twice hitting the bar from long range shots. In fact it was becoming end to end with chances for both teams and in the 77 minute Enfield went 2-1 up. Good play from Substitute Diana Tobe played out wide to Mollie Kmita whose first time low cross was cleverly dummied by Katie O’Leary and Che Thomas coming in off the left and smashed it past the Keeper to put the Town in front.

A few minutes later Alana Munro was put clean through and chance to wrap it up but her shot was saved by the Keeper who quickly threw the ball out for a Billercay counter attack which was defended well but a corner to Billericay. The corner followed and a Billericay Defender met the cross with a looping header into the net to make it 2-2 on 84mins.

The next 5 minutes was once again end to end with chances for both teams to score, but it was on 88mins another Billericay corner and carbon copy of their previous corner the same defender jumped highest and headed into the bottom corner to make it 3-2.

There was still time for two chances for Town to score, firstly Alana Munro was sent clear again but her shot was easily saved by the keeper and then a Jessie Carpanini shot from 25 yards was just tipped over the bar the Goalkeeper, with the corner well defended by Billericay.

The full time whistle quickly followed and a great effort from the Ladies who can feel hard done by the result, but not the performance.

Next week they travel away to London Seaward and another performance like today and these narrow defeats and draws of late will soon turn into wins.

Manager Billy Highton Said after the game ‘We didn’t deserve to lose that game. The ladies were superb and fought hard for each other and Im very proud of each and every one of them”

A Hatrick from Klesha Darroux helped the ladies beat QPR in the League Cup and progress to the next round.

Town made 5 changes from their previous defeat at Hashtag United and were quickly on the front foot straight from Kick Off, but were behind after 5 minutes with QPR first attack of the game. A failed clearance allowed the Rangers forward to shoot and score from 10 yards to put the visitors 1-0 up.

Town were getting in some good areas behind the QPR back 3, but despite creating good opportunities to score failed to take advantage, but it was not going to be long before they were back in the game. Klesha Darroux and Che Thomas (making her debut after injury) were dangerous down the channel and their pace were causing problems for the QPR defence. Katie O’Leary was holding the ball up well and linking well with Diana Tobe. Brionne Fowle and Nuala Mckevitt were dominant in midfield and despite being a goal down the ladies looked very comfortable.

The equaliser came in the 33rd minute, and was thoroughly deserved. A great through ball down the channel put Katie O’Leary free, who squared her cross into the path of Klesha Darroux who poked the ball past the QPR Keeper to bring it level 1-1.

More opportunities followed, but it wasn’t until the 43rd minute when Town went ahead. A superb though ball from Brionne Fowle split the QPR defence and Klesha Darroux rounded the keeper and tapped the ball into the empty net. 2-1 up before the break and a good first half performance.

The second half started the same as the first with Town once again very dominant in possession. A few early chances were created but not taken until Che Thomas was played in behind the QPR defence once again on 56 minutes and through on goal she unselfishly squared the ball to Katie O’Leary who slid in at the far post to make it 3-1.

Che Thomas and Brionne Fowle were then immediately brought off and rested and replaced by Rebecca Evans and Carla Perez with the latter making her first appearance of the season. Carla bringing a physical attribute to the Town defence freeing up the midfield to be even more creative. Chance after chance being created but not taken. More substitutes followed, Lisa Fulgence on for her first appearance of the season and Alana Munro coming on to add to the pace up front both had chances to add their names to the scoresheet and the game could easily have been 7 or 8-1 by time the ladies sealed the game in the 89th minute. A solo run by Klesha Darroux cutting into the box and shooting, the GK saved it but the ball rebounding back to Darroux who slid the ball into the net for her Hatrick.

A superb team performance by the Town. They march into the next round of the League Cup.

Coach Jade Dempster Said “Last week we questioned their desire after the hashtag game, and the girls have took that on board and worked hard during the week and today we saw that desire to win the first ball, to win the second ball, play for each other and they got the result they full deserved”

The Ladies finally got their first win of the season at the fourth attempt on Sunday securing a 4-1 away victory at Norwich City.

After a long week of 3 games in 8 days, the ladies had suffered last minute heartache away at Cambridge United, and then a midweek draw at home to Harlow Town playing 46 minutes with 10 playing after a first half red card, it was case of 3rd time lucky on a long away trip to ‘The Nest’ in Norwich.

The ladies started very brightly with some early attacking combination play straight from Kick Off. A quick first time ball played out to the left to Alana Munro who cut inside to play a square ball into Katie O’Leary. She played a first time balll in to the path of Mollie Kmita who unleashed a shot from 30 yards straight into the bottom corner of the net to give the Town a First Minute lead, 1-0.

Town continued to attack whenever they had the ball, but gaps started to appear down the defensive channels which Norwich tried to exploit at every opportunity they had and for 10-15 minutes it was end to end.

On 25 minutes, Sheryce Slater took a free kick from around 25 yards which hit the underside of the crossbar, and fell to Rachel Kosky who smashed the ball over the line, only to be unfortunately flagged for offside.

3 minutes later Norwich equalised with a classic counter attack. Town lost the ball on the edge of the Norwich box, which was quickly played forward into the defensive exposed channel. Play was quickly switched to their forward who shot at an angle which was well saved by Grace Taylor only for the ball to fall into an oncoming player who shot from 10 yards to bring it level 1-1.

The remaining half was finely balanced and with the half time whistle looming, a superb reverse through ball from Rebecca Evans was played into Katie O’Leary who calmly clipped the ball over the keeper for her first goal for the club since joining from Watford, to make it 2-1 on 44 minutes and a deserved half time lead for the Town.

The second half was pretty much the same as the first with opportunities at both ends, but the best chances falling to the Town strikers who failed to add to the scoreline until the 78 minute. Katie O’leary once again causing havoc finding space in the Norwich box, when she was brought down when just about to shoot. Penalty Town. O’Leary picked herself up and put away the penalty to make it 3-1.

4 minutes later, Alana Munro found space down the right hand side, beat her defender and crossed to the left hand side of the penalty area to Katie O’leary who smashed the ball past the keeper for her hat-trick to make it 4-1 and game over (see photo).

Town saw out the remaining 10 minutes including injury time for a well deserved victory and finally off the mark for their first win of the season.

Manager Billy Highton said “A great result and performance which the ladies fully deserved and hopefully we can now build on that for next week”

Next up for the ladies is Hashtag United (away) on Sunday 5th September, followed by a home tie in the League Cup against QPR on Sunday 12th September

Our Development Team will also be playing their home games at the QE this season. They start their campaign at home on 5th September against Actonians.

The ladies were finally back in league action after a 9 month absence following the cancellation of their league last season.

After a nervy start, it was the away team that took the lead after 5 minutes A needless free kick given away 30 yards out which was whipped into the box which Town Goalkeeper Grace Taylor could only parry into the the path of a Seaward forward who stabbed home to make it 1-0.

Alana Munro was a constant threat for Town with her pace which the seaward right back was struggling to contain. It was not a surprise that within the space of 5 minutes Munro cut inside from the left and made the GK make two very quick saves.

Town were looking threatening with every attack and Midway through the first half Mollie Kmita sent Katie O’Leary clear with a fine through ball only for her shot to be once again denied by the impressive Seaward keeper.

Town went down 1-0 at the break, but on another day could easily have been 4-1 up had it not been for the Seaward keeper.

Town started the second half on the front foot and and created a few openings and it was no surprise when Alana Munro was set free on 55mins and Calmly finished past the Gk to make it 1-1.

A few minutes later Munro was once again denied at the near post with another great save from GK.

Midway through the second half O’Leary saw the GK off her line and lobbed her from 30 yards only for the ball to rebound off the post and it was quickly becoming one of those days.

With 10 minutes to go Town were still looking for a winner when Munro was once again put through on goal but was pulled back by the shirt in the box. Penalty to town? No, the ref waved play on and the score remained 1-1.

Given the chances created versus seaward one shot on target it was disappointing not to pick up the 3 points and will be seen as two points lost, but plenty of positives to take into a busy week of 3 games in 7 days.

Next Home Game vs Harlow Town Ladies Wednesday 25th August 745pm KO