GAVIN Kelsey’s reign as WGC manager got off to a dismal start, with an Extra Preliminary Round exit from the FA Cup in his first competitive game in charge.
The former Cockfosters boss who took over at Herns Way in the summer, took his former charges to Wembley last season in the FA Vase final.
But there will be no FA Cup run repeat this time around, as his new charges continued their poor record of falling at the first hurdle in recent seasons.
Kelsey surprised many in this Friday night tie played at Potters Bar – where Enfield FC now ground share – by changing his line-up from an impressive win and display at Cambridge City six days earlier for this tie.
WGC dominated the opening half, having nearly all the possession and territory against an Enfield side, relegated from the Southern League Div 1 Central last season and who had lost their opening two SSML fixtures this campaign.
A good early Citizens move saw Luis Cantello pass find Luca Gordon, whose low cross was just missed by raiding full-back Brad Dixon-Smith as he closed in on goal.
Another slick move instigated by the busy Gordon set up a shooting chance for Reece Mosanya, but his low effort was easily saved by home keeper George Edgeworth.
Then midway through the half, things began to go badly for WGC.
Central defender Keiron Gauthier was ajudged to have fouled from behind and was booked in the process.
From the 23rd minute free-kick fired into the near post, Enfield’s Jon Vukaj came in an tucked a low effort past keeper Connor Sansom, that seemed to deflect in off a WGC defender.
The Citizens had further efforts from Gyamfi, a header just over and another Mosanya shot past a post, but closed the half a goal behind.
The large WGC contingent in the 275 crowd must have been hoping for something better early in the second period, but instead found their side reduced to 10 men, five minutes after the restart.
Full-back Egan Ngete was shown a straight red for ‘kicking out’ in a melee on the touchline by referee Bowdery.
Despite the man reduction, WGC still tried to force the pace and Gordon and Cantello, with an effort 20 yards out, both went close.
Manager Kelsey began to ring the changes, particularly in midfield, where he brought on Ryan Hayes, Eddie Corbit and Teddy Stacey all just past the hour mark.
But before any of them could get a touch of the ball, Enfield broke away to net a second, Kuba Oliverre showing a great touch to bring down a through ball and run clear to shoot past Sansom for the goal, that effectively put WGC out of the cup.
Ethan Rookard was also introduced, but although WGC forced a couple of goalmouth scrambles and close calls in the closing stages, referee Bowdery finding over 10 minutes stoppage time to stretch the second-half to close to an hour, they couldn’t find a way through an Enfield defence, that had ex-WGC defender Ryan Kirwan at the heart of it.
Now WGC’s attention has to turn to their opening league gamwe away at Hadley and to an FA Trophy visit to Buckhurst Hill.
WGC: Sansom, Ngete, Lovell, Gauthier, Dixon-Smith, Cantello, Nosike, Gordon, Annous, Gyamfi, Mosanya. Subs:- Impey, Hayes, Corbit, Stacey, Rookard (all used), Ralfe, Mendis (not used).
