In a fiercely contested league match at Flomax Park on 22 June 2025, Enfield Celtic 3rds secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Newtown Celtic. The match, which kicked off at 3:00pm, saw both teams battle hard, but it was Enfield who emerged triumphant thanks to a late goal from Dean Gill.
Enfield Celtic 3rds lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, designed to provide both defensive stability and attacking flair. Eoin Cross occupied the goalkeeping position, while the back four consisted of Peter O'Sullivan on the right, Mark Halvey and Stephen Kane as central defenders, and Brandon Tait on the left. In midfield, Charlie Fagan and Ger Farrell operated as the central duo, tasked with controlling the tempo and linking play. Ahead of them, Rimas Drobinin and Sean McPhillips flanked Keith Silvester, who played centrally as the attacking midfielder, with Ashton Hughes leading the line as the lone striker. The substitutes for the match included Sean Ryan, Yemi Adewolu, Jody Campion, and Dean Gill.
The first half saw both teams struggle to find their rhythm, with Enfield Celtic 3rds showing promise but unable to break through Newtown's resolute defence. The match took a turn in the 22nd minute when Ger Farrell had to be substituted due to injury, making way for Sean Ryan. This change slightly altered Enfield's midfield dynamic but did not diminish their determination to find the back of the net.
As the first half wore on, both teams continued to probe for openings, but neither could convert their chances into goals, leading to a goalless stalemate at half-time. The referee, Derek Herarty, signalled the end of the first half at the 45-minute mark, with both sides needing to regroup and reassess their strategies.
The second half commenced with a renewed sense of urgency from Enfield Celtic 3rds. In the 54th minute, a tactical substitution saw Ashton Hughes replaced by Yemi Adewolu, aiming to inject fresh energy into the attack. Shortly after, in the 58th minute, Stephen Kane made way for Jody Campion, as Enfield sought to bolster their defensive solidity while still pushing forward.
As the match progressed, Enfield continued to apply pressure on Newtown's defence. In the 65th minute, another tactical switch occurred with Brandon Tait being substituted for Dean Gill, who would soon make a significant impact on the match.
The breakthrough finally came in the 82nd minute when Dean Gill, having just entered the fray, scored the decisive goal. A well-timed short pass from Brandon Tait found Gill inside the box, and with a composed finish using his right foot, he slotted the ball past the Newtown goalkeeper, sending the home fans into raptures.
With the clock ticking down, Enfield Celtic 3rds held firm against a late surge from Newtown Celtic, who desperately sought an equaliser. However, the Enfield defence, marshalled by Halvey and Kane, stood resolute, ensuring that the scoreline remained unchanged.
As the final whistle blew, Enfield Celtic 3rds celebrated a hard-fought victory, with Charlie Fagan earning the accolade of Player of the Match for his influential performance in midfield. The win not only secured three vital points for Enfield but also showcased their resilience and tactical acumen in a tightly contested league encounter.
