Enfield Celtic 2nds welcomed Castle Villa FC to Flomax Park on 11 October 2025 for a 3:00pm league kick-off in an 11-a-side contest that ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw. Referee Ken Ennis oversaw a competitive 90 minutes of football, with both sides sharing the spoils after a pulsating encounter.
Enfield Celtic 2nds deployed a 4-3-3 formation, aiming to balance defensive solidity with attacking flair. Alex Curtis took his place between the sticks as goalkeeper, shielded by a back four consisting of Jack Maher at right back, Paul Burdett and Stephen Kane as central defenders, and Sean Reynolds operating on the left flank. The midfield trio featured Charlie Fagan on the right, David Burke centrally, and Charlie Jordan on the left, tasked with linking defence and attack. Upfront, the forward line was spearheaded by Darragh Curtis as the central striker, flanked by Sean Mcphillips on the right wing and Brandon Tait on the left. The substitutes bench included Sean Gallagher, Stephen Maher, Robbie Fagan, and Nick Foster, ready to impact the game if called upon.
Castle Villa FC struck first, breaking the deadlock in the 20th minute to take an early lead. Enfield Celtic 2nds responded with determination but found themselves under pressure as the visitors looked to extend their advantage. The first half saw persistent infringements from Enfield’s side, with Darragh Curtis receiving a yellow card in the 32nd minute for repeated fouls. David Burke followed suit just before the interval, also cautioned for persistent infringements, as the referee maintained firm control over the match.
At half-time, the scoreline stood at 1-0 in favour of Castle Villa FC, setting up an intriguing second period at Flomax Park. Enfield Celtic 2nds came out with renewed vigour after the break, their 4-3-3 formation encouraging quick transitions and wide play. The breakthrough came in the 61st minute when Brandon Tait delivered a precise cross into the box, allowing Darragh Curtis to expertly finish with his right foot and level the match. This goal sparked a flurry of tactical changes by Enfield Celtic 2nds just two minutes later, with Stephen Maher replacing Brandon Tait, Robbie Fagan coming on for Stephen Kane, and Nick Foster substituting Charlie Fagan, all intended to inject fresh energy and tactical flexibility.
Despite the reshuffle, the intensity remained high and Jack Maher was booked in the 65th minute for persistent infringements, adding to the disciplinary woes of Enfield Celtic 2nds. However, the home side’s efforts were rewarded again shortly after when Sean Mcphillips played a short pass inside the box to Darragh Curtis, who coolly slotted home his second goal of the afternoon in the 67th minute, putting Enfield Celtic 2nds ahead for the first time.
The match continued to be fiercely contested, with Charlie Jordan receiving a yellow card in the 74th minute for persistent infringements, reflecting the physical nature of the encounter. Yet, Castle Villa FC were not to be denied and struck back swiftly in the 75th minute to restore parity, ensuring the game remained finely balanced as the clock ticked down.
The remainder of the match saw both sides pushing for a winner, but neither could find the decisive goal, resulting in a hard-fought 2-2 draw. Darragh Curtis was deservedly named player of the match for his crucial brace and tireless work upfront, embodying the fighting spirit of Enfield Celtic 2nds throughout the contest.
