NASH FINISHES Es IN A FLASH
IN front of a record crowd of almost 2,000, Enfield Town’s promotion hopes ended in heartbreaking anguish on Wednesday, leaving players, management, fans and directors shellshocked but Hornchurch in a state of delirium.
The Towners were just three minutes away from the Premier League play-off final, with promotion to the Holy Grail of National League South within touching distance, when the visitors struck twice to spoil the party and move into a home final with Cheshunt tomorrow.
Hornchurch settled more quickly with three half-chances before Enfield went ahead as Percy Kiangebeni’s freekick was flicked on and Jerry Gyebi supplied an excellent finish.
It could so easily have been 2-0 when a Sam Youngs effort hit the base of the post before the first half was prolonged for several minutes for a bad injury to Urchins’ Tom Wraight.
Hornchurch levelled on 56 minutes when Nash took advantage of hesitant defending to convert a long throw but within a couple minutes ace marksman Mo Faal restored Enfield’s lead.
Cue Hornchurch’s call from the bench for super-sub Higgins who, with 87 minutes on the clock, equalised with an outrageous lob off the post.
All eyes were now on extra time but instead Town’s collective hearts were broken as the was ball fed out to Nash who rifled it into the far corner to spark wild celebrations among the visiting fans. There was still time for Town’s Manny Maja to be dismissed for a second yellow as frustrations boiled over.
“Football can be a cruel mistress at times and so it proved,” said Enfield manager Andy Leese.
“A devastating end to the game and our hopes which I just didn’t see coming. We gave it our all and edged a very competitive game until the last few minutes when a couple of bits of excellent finishing undid us.
“It’s been an exceptional season in so many ways and we shouldn’t lose sight of that. Final mention to our incredible support which went to a new level last night.
“Huge appreciation from us all on the management and playing staff.”
★★★★★