If Enfield Town go on to claim the Ryman League Division One North title this season then they will surely look back on the point they secured from a 0-0 draw at Potters Bar Town on Saturday as a pivotal moment in their campaign. 

After enjoying the better of the first 40 minutes at Parkfield, Town were hit by a huge double blow shortly before the interval as Walid Matata and skipper Mark Kirby were both sent off within the space of three minutes. 

But the remaining nine men produced a magnificent rearguard effort in the second half to keep Potters Bar at bay – and even had a couple of chances to secure the most unlikely of victories. 

“With nine men I thought we were better than them in the second half,” manager Steve Newing said. “At the end we were probably a bit unlucky not to have won it. 

“We’d started positively and I thought we were playing well and dominating the game before the sendings off. 

“I couldn’t be more proud of the lads. If that second-half performance doesn’t instill self-belief then I don’t know what will.” 

Although everyone in a Town shirt excelled in the second 45 minutes, it was Adam Wallace who produced the most eye-catching performance as he single-handedly kept the entire Potters Bar back line occupied while playing as a lone front man after Liam Hope was sacrificed to bring on an extra defender at the interval. 

“The performance that Adam put in was remarkable,” Newing added. “He held the ball up brilliantly and made sure they kept at least two men on him all the time. I don’t think there is anyone better than him in this league at playing that role. 

“But I think that every single one of them played out of their skins in the second half. Rudi Hall and Dean Pennant were outstanding in midfield, and probably both put in their best performances of the season.” 

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