'We're just trying to find our consistency at this level' (From Enfield Independent)

Enfield Town boss searching for consistency in Ryman Premier League

11:10am Wednesday 10th October 2012 in Sport By Simon Mail

Enfield Town boss Steve Newing admits his side are still trying to find their consistency following their promotion to the Ryman Premier League.

The Towners failed to win their last four league games, prior to last night's match with East Thurrock United, but did pick up a confidence boosting 4-1 victory over Cambridge City in the FA Trophy. Newing believes his players are getting to grips with the challenge of playing at a higher level but wants them to reproduce the standard of football in their recent cup win.

Newing said: "We're doing OK but we're just trying to find our consistency at this level. If we can replicate our performance from the Cambridge City game then we'll be just fine.

"The squad will be tested over the next month because it's a very busy period. But I will only know how we're going to fare by the end of November. By this point then we will have played about a third of the season and I will have a good indication of how we're doing and where we stand."

Enfield's reward for their win over Cambridge City is a trip to league rivals Concord Rangers in the next round at the end of the month and Newing has mixed feelings on the draw.

He said: "It's a decent tie against someone from our division. We were hoping for a home tie and a match against a team from the level below us but you have to take what you've drawn. It's a game both sides will feel they can win and we won't go into it with any fear. It could have been kinder to us but we will go there positive and look to win the game."

Enfield's next examination in the league is a home game against Cray Wanderers on Saturday. Newing admits this is the type of match they need to get a result from if they are to ensure they stay out of trouble this season.

The manager said: "Cray surprised people last season after they just finished outside of the play-offs. Every game is like playing against the top sides from last season. We know it will be a difficult game and that we need to perform at the top of our game.

"I don't think they will be challenging for the play-offs this season and these home games are the ones we need to be taking points from. We've played the second, third and fourth place teams already and although Cray will be difficult we will be looking to take points from this weekend.

"We have a reasonably clean bill of health. Walid Matata has just had a hernia operation which will keep him out until the middle of November and David Kendall needs a few games before he can come back from his hamstring injury."

Newing is relatively happy with his squad but has had an experienced centre-back, from another club in the division, training with the club this week with a view to a possive move to Enfield.

The Enfield Town boss said: "He came in and played an in-house game and we will see over the next couple of days if he wants to join us. The defender came to me because he lives locally and was looking to play closer to where he lives. He's a tried and tested Ryman Premier footballer. My two centre-halves have done well but it's always nice to have competition for places so we'll have to wait and see."