Newing targets 42 points for safety (From Enfield Independent)

Enfield Town boss Steve Newing believes 42 points will be enough for safety in the Ryman Premier Division

10:14am Tuesday 26th February 2013 in Sport By Adam Newson

A 0-0 draw away at Lowestoft Town and another point for Enfield Town in their fight for Ryman Premier Division survival.

The Towners are unbeaten in their last three league matches and have opened a seven point gap between themselves and the relegation zone.

Enfield boss Steve Newing is understandably pleased with his side’s recent form but he remains adamant that safety is still a long way from being assured.

"I wouldn’t say that we are safe until it is mathematically certain," the Towners boss explained.

"However, if we get to the final five or six matches and we have a ten or twelve point gap to the sides in the bottom two then I would think that would be a big enough gap for us.

"We have a seven point gap now but that can close very quickly. What I do think is that we are at the top of a group of eight sides that are in the fight. Cray Wanderers and Lewes have been sucked into it in recent weeks as well.

"So it bodes well for the rest of the campaign that we are in good form. What we have to do now is to keep that up.

"We are two thirds of the way through the season now. We have a slight gap to the sides in the bottom two but there is still a long way to go and there are still several sides that could go down.

"I think that 42 points will enough to keep a side up. It may be a little less than that but I would be surprised if 42 points is not enough for safety.

Saturday’s goalless draw against Lowestoft Town was a fairly uneventful affair and both sides cancelled each other out for the majority of the contest.

Adam Wallace missed an unmarked header at the back post for the Towners and they struggled to create another clear opportunity in the opening period.

Greg Crane headed over for the hosts before Lee Smith cut into the box and shot wide.

The second period continued in the same fashion with chances to break the deadlock were at a premium.

The best opportunity fell to Enfield as the ball dropped to Bryan Hammett on the edge of the box and he sent a volley towards goal. Unfortunately for the Towners Andy Reynolds turned the ball wide.

"It was a good point and a deserved one for us," Newing stated. "We went there knowing their strengths and we had a game place that paid off for us.

"We wanted to stop the threat of their big target man and we did that well for the majority of the game. They didn’t create too many opportunities to score and we forced their keeper into a couple of decent saves.

"So it was a good point for us and we are playing well at the moment. We are more than capable of giving any side in the division a good game"