'It was our best performance of the season' (From Enfield Independent)

Enfield Town boss Steve Newing remained upbeat despite Hampton and Richmond Borough defeat

12:37pm Monday 3rd September 2012 in Sport

Enfield Town boss Steve Newing admitted his side’s failure to take their chances proved costly in their 2-0 defeat against top of the table Hampton and Richmond Borough.

Second half goals from Jon-Jo Bates and Charlie Moone secured the win for the visitors to the Queen Elizabeth stadium.

Despite the defeat, Newing remained upbeat and was impressed with his side’s display against the early league leaders.

The Towners’ boss said: "It was our best performance of the season and if we had taken our chances, we would have won the game.

"We controlled the game after the first five minutes but got hit with two goals on the counter attack.

"But all in all, other than not taking our chances it was certainly our best display of the campaign."

He added: "We know that we are a competitive side and we gave a good account of ourselves." "I came away from the game as pleased as I was with the opening day win against Lewes."

Hampton have yet to concede a league goal and lead the early Ryman Premier Division having taken 13 points from a possible 15.

It is impressive early season form but Newing’s men matched their opponents for the majority of the contest.

The two sides went in goalless at half time and Enfield hadn’t managed to create a clear cut opportunity in the opening 45 minutes.

But after the interval Neil Johnston came close with an effort after good work from Leon Osei, only for the Towners to be caught on the break by Hampton as former Chelsea youngster James Simmonds crossed for Bates to fire home.

Tyler Campbell and Johnston both had chances to equalise before the visitors secured the victory with eight minutes remaining.

Malvin Kamara broke up an Enfield attack the ball was sent down the right flank. Moone collected the pass and attempted a speculative strike which caught out Noel Imber in the Enfield goal.

A late sending off compounded the defeat. Enfield’s Mitch Hahn was tackled strongly and he reacted badly and kicked out at Hampton’s Neil Jenkins.

The Towners’ player caught Jenkins in the face and was deservedly dismissed. Despite the loss, Enfield have made an encouraging start to life in the Premier Division and sit 11th in the table with seven points from their opening five matches.

The Towners boss admits he is pleased with how his players have adapted to competing at a higher level and believes his side have performed well in the majority of the matches.

He said: "I am more than pleased with how the players have done so far. One or two are in a little bit of indifferent form but we have played five games of football so far and, apart from the match against Wingate and Finchely, we haven’t been outclassed in any of them."

Despite their solid opening to the campaign Newing remains adamant his target for the season is league survival. But added they would re-evaluate their goals should they perform well over the course of the campaign.

He said: "Staying up is the main goal and it won’t change until at least half way through the season. If we are doing well then it may change but the focus is on survival. There are a lot of teams in this league and there is not a lot between them. Coming up to the next level is a big step up so our objective remains to stay in this division."