Defeat puts United in drop zone

The U’s dropped to second-from-bottom in the Ryman Football League Premier Division after their run of eight successive league draws was deservedly ended by opposition which began the day in the position United now find themselves.

The only goal came on 76 minutes when much-travelled former Football League striker Scott McLeish got the better of United defender Scott Manning and fired a low shot past Liam O’Brien in the away goal.

But it had been coming because Enfield had twice hit the woodwork in the preceding 10 minutes. Michael Bardle struck the top of the crossbar from just inside the box and shortly afterwards Liam Hope hit the post with Tyler Campbell putting the rebound wide.

Hope had also gone close with a glancing header from a corner in the first five minutes of a second period bossed by the home side. Gary Abbott picking up a booking within seconds of coming off the substitutes’ bench summed up how it went for United.

The visitors failed to create a genuine chance throughout a cold but dry afternoon in north London. Their best moments came during a more even and uneventful first half, Bradley Goldberg shooting just wide from outside the box and Bailo Camara firing into the side-netting from a Danny Ellis cross.

See Friday’s Hastings Observer for a full report and pictures. All of today’s games involving the area’s Sussex County Football League clubs, meanwhile, were postponed due to waterlogged pitches.

United (4-3-3): O’Brien; Cox, Ray, Manning, Whitehead (Dixon HT); Carey, Crellin (Vickers 69), Ellis; Okojie, Goldberg, Camara (Abbott 86). Subs not used: Bachellier, Attwood.

Standings (played-points): 1 Whitehawk 22-46, 2 Wealdstone 20-36, 3 Margate 20-36, 4 Canvey Island 21-35, 5 Concord Rangers 20-35, 6 Lowestoft Town 18-33, 7 Kingstonian 20-33, 8 Bognor Regis Town 21-32, 9 Bury Town 20-32, 10 Hampton & Richmond 20-29, 11 East Thurrock United 20-27, 12 Met Police 18-26, 13 Lewes 24-26, 14 Cray Wanderers 22-25, 15 Leiston 21-25, 16 Hendon 21-24, 17 Enfield Town 22-21, 18 Wingate & Finchley 23-21, 19 Harrow Borough 22-20, 20 Thurrock 18-19, 21 HASTINGS UNITED 19-19, 22 Carshalton Athletic 24-19.