Haringey manager draws on positives after spoils shared at Enfield
Tom Loizou looks on from the touchline at Haringey Borough (pic: George Phillipou/TGS Photo). - Credit: George Phillipou/TGS Photo
The Coles Park club go into Friday’s FA Cup clash with AFC Wimbledon with no injury concerns and in better form than the Dons
Haringey Borough beat Poole Town to reach the FA Cup first round (pic: George Phillipou/TGS Photo) - Credit: George Phillipou/TGS Photo
Haringey Borough manager Tom Loizou is pleased his side go into Friday’s big FA Cup tie in better league form than AFC Wimbledon.
The two London clubs will do battle in front of the BBC Two cameras at Coles Park in the first round of the FA Cup.
Last weekend, Borough hit back from a 2-1 deficit to pick up a point at Enfield Town in the Bostik Premier after a bad run in the division.
FA Cup opponents the Dons suffered a disappointing loss, however, as Shrewsbury Town proved too strong and won 2-1 to extend Wimbledon’s run without a win in League One to seven matches.
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“We go into this game with a draw more than Wimbledon because they have been doing terribly in the league as well,” Loizou said
“Out of the two clubs, we go into it with more points from the last few matches.”
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Borough’s recent form in the Bostik Premier has not been great, but the 2-2 draw at Queen Elizabeth II Stadium on Saturday ended a losing streak of three league games.
Rakim Richards headed the visitors in front after just four minutes, but Enfield replied through Billy Bricknell and Sam Youngs to lead heading into the interval.
Haringey responded well after the restart, though, and Richards grabbed his second in the 51st minute and it was enough to clinch a point.
After the draw, Borough are 18th in the table following 11 league matches with 12 points to their name.
Loizou admitted: “We really should have taken all three points on Saturday, but the way we have been playing in the league recently, every point counts and every point is appreciated.
“In the second half we hit the outside of the post and the crossbar in the last minute, so we should have walked away with a win, but on the other hand, our goalkeeper (Valery Pajetet) has pulled off a lovely save as well.
“Before the game, if anyone would have offered me a point at Enfield I probably would have said okay.”
Another key thing Loizou wanted from Saturday’s game was to come through it with no injury concerns.
Fortunately it went that way and on the plus side, Anthony McDonald and Georgios Aresti managed to come off the bench following recent injuries.
“We come away with no knocks and I was able to give Anthony McDonald the last 10 minutes and Georgios Aresti a similar amount of time,” Loizou said. “I think they will declare themselves fit now for Friday.”
If the FA Cup tie between Borough and Wimbledon is settled on the night, the north Londoners will be back in Bostik Premier action on Monday (November 13) when leaders Tonbridge Angels visit Coles Park.
