Sudbury Win At Impressive Donkey Lane

Main building at Enfield Town's new Donkey Lane home.

On Monday night, I travelled to Enfield Town's new Donkey Lane ground for the Ryman League Cup tie against AFC Sudbury. The two had meet at Sudbury's Kings Marsh ground on Saturday which saw a two one win for Enfield. The best game I'm ever seen was between Enfield and Aveley at Goldsdown Road, which ended in 7-4 win for the away side. Going on league positions alone this looked like a home banker but anything can happen in cup football and there were sure to be players rested by both managers.

Front on view on the new building.

Sudbury dominate the opening exchanges but they don't create any clear cut chances. As the half drew on, they began to get closer and take the lead mid way through the half. A ball in from the wing is headed back across the goal and the Sudbury player fires in from close range. They almost double their lead but nobody manages to make connection from the in swinging corner. This miss kicks the hosts in to action and they create a chance of their own when the ball is drilled across the six yard box but again no one makes contact.  

Sudbury go close in first half.

The second half is a lot more open as both sides look to score the critical second goal. Enfield manage to get clean through but the Sudbury keeper makes the first of several good saves. An Enfield player then again gets free in the box but his touch lets him down. A few minutes later, the away side win a contentious free kick out on the wing and this leads to the vital second goal. The ball is put in the six yard box and powered home. To their credit Enfield continue to push forward and are again denied by the keeper when clean through. Sudbury keep the clean sheet to gain some revenge for the league defeat at the weekend.

A decent turnout from Enfield fans.

 

Considering this was only the second game at Donkey Lane, things were very well organised. The bar is a unique selling point and has a great over the pitch. They had a couple of TVs on the wall and I guess they are still in the process of being sorted out. The bar as a whole was pretty decent. I was a bit behind schedule when getting to the ground so I didn't try a pub but there is a Toby Carvery close to the ground. I'm not sure I took the quickest route to the ground but I got the train to Southbury and took the 317 bus which drops you off close to the ground. Trains to Southbury depart from Liverpool Street and takes half an hour and the bus takes five minutes. Big congratulations have to go to Enfield and all involved with getting the ground ready.

Main area of seating at Donkey Lane.

 

Video highlights are available on the brilliant Cold End blog.   

Another shot of the impressive main building.