Enfield Town boss Bradley Quinton praised match-winner Liam Hope after he scored in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Hendon but threatened to bench him again if his performances drop.

The club’s record goalscorer grabbed the only goal of the game with ten minutes remaining at the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium – enough to extend Enfield’s winning run to six consecutive league fixtures against the Greens.

The Towners were on top for much of the contest but failed to make their dominance tell until, in the 80th minute, Hope rolled past Ben McNamara after connecting with Joe Stevens’ pass to settle the game.

Hope told the Enfield Independent last week he had been unhappy with his own form this season – despite breaking Rudy Hall’s record as the club’s leading scorer – but went some way to making amends by hitting the all-important goal on Saturday.

Boss Quinton said: “I was impressed with Liam. I had sat down and spoken with Liam and there are a few personal things with him I won’t mention. He has worked hard and I spoke to him about this.

“He has been the main hero of everything over the last few years but things have changed and moved in a different direction and it has got to him a little bit. But he has not sulked, he has worked hard in training and now he needs to find the form he showed on Saturday going forward.”

Quinton added: “He put that work in on Saturday and he knows that is what I expect of him. If he does not continue it he will be back on the bench getting cold again.”

There was also praise for strike partner Corey Whitely, although the Towners boss admits he does not yet know his preferred strike pairing.

“Corey Whitely has been getting stronger, which is something I have been working on with him,” explained Quinton. “There are some things I am stepping up with him in the next few weeks though. He is a guy I think can go a long way in the game.

“He is a really honest lad with a lovely young family and I think the world of him. With the right attitude and application, he could go into the Football League.”

Addressing his side’s performance as a whole, Quinton admitted he had been encouraged to see the Towners return to winning ways after four league defeats in a row.

He said: “I was very pleased with the way the guys went about their business. Everyone looked strong and felt back to where we were on that run, I felt. Everyone played in the same direction.

“We thoroughly deserved to win and considering they had two of the better strikers in the league up there (Kezie Ibe and Leon Smith), they barely had a chance and I did not even know they were on the pitch.

“I just think their work ethic and hard pressing was spot on, right from the first whistle and from there, we grew in confidence and grew into the game.”

He added: “It was good to get a game again and we put in a great performance and did what I know the guys can do.

“I think it was double figures in terms of chances. Nathan McDonald didn’t even dirty his gloves at all. We had four or five good chances but either we did not work their goalkeeper or shot straight into his arms.”

The Towners have added former VCD Athletic winger Aryan Tajbakhsh, formerly of St Albans City, Barnet and Braintree Town, where he played with Quinton, to their squad.

“There are little bits in Aryan’s game that remind me of myself and that is why I brought him in,” revealed Quinton. “He hates losing, even in training, has got two good feet and is very comfortable on the ball.

“I think the guy is going to take us on.”

Enfield travel to Tonbridge Angels on Saturday before hosting Canvey Island on Tuesday.