Enfield carve out victory against Navan Town

Enfield Celtic dug deep to keep their North East Football League Div 1 title chances alive today with a hard-earned 4-2 victory against hosts Navan Town.

Suspensions have proved problematic for Enfield this season and they started this game with three players sidelined and added to that tally when Johnny Sweeny was red-carded early in the second-half.

Enfield were ahead by 2-1 at that stage after early and late first-half goals from David Morgan with Stephen Gavin on the amrk for the hosts in the eighth minute.

Enfield looked the more likely winners in that opening half, but they found Navan Town's central defenders David Gavin and Craig Dempsey in an uncompromising mood.

The pattern of the game changed once Sweeney departed and Enfield concentrated on protecting their lead, a feat they managed until 10 minutes from time when sustained Navan Town pressure was rewarded with a David Gavin equaliser.

That forced Enfield out of their shell and with Barry Clancy pulling the strings at midfield they pushed forward for the lead again in the 85th minute - Nathan O'Neill's pass made the opening and Morgan claimed his hat-trick.

Substitute Richie Massey added the fourth a minute from time.

Navan Town - Daniel Shields; Kenny Gavin, Jamie Power, David Gavin, Craig Dempsey, Mark Power, Michael Duke, John Power, Stephen Gavin, David Bowens, Conor Brennan. Subs - Michael Dalton for K Gavin 63 mins, Samuel Oyeniyi for S Gavin 77m.

Enfield Celtic - Sean Coyle; Evan Coyle, Ray Mooney, JP Mullen, Dean Brennan, Johnny Sweeney, Aaron Farrell, Barry Clancy, Thomas Wynne, David Morgan. Sub - Richie Massey for Farrell 52 mins.

Referee - Pat Henry