It was a mixed few days for Enfield Borough as the joy of reaching their first ever cup semi-final with a 2-0 victory over Bovingdon last Wednesday was followed by an out-of-character 4-2 league loss to Brimsdown Rovers at the weekend.

The Panthers eventually managed to break down a stubborn Bovingdon defence in their Spartan South Midlands League Challenge Trophy tie with second-half goals from Tage Kennedy and Thomas Opoku.

Borough almost gained the lead after just 30 seconds when Kennedy intercepted a poor pass across the back but his snapshot from the edge of the area went wide.

Bovingdon’s first chance of the game came after 20 minutes when Stephen Dodd latched onto Frank Chandler’s under-hit backpass but it was saved by the feet of the goalkeeper.

After the break, substitute Mohab Madkour picked the ball up on the right and advanced to the halfway line before sliding a pass in for Kennedy to slot home.

The game opened up in the latter stages with the visitors going in search of an equaliser but their risk didn’t pay off as Borough made the game safe in fortunate circumstances.

Jamiah Plentie-Lawrence’s through ball went through to the Bovingdon keeper but he slipped trying to clear, leaving Opoku to walk it into an unguarded net and send Borough to the semi-final.

There was to be no such fortune for Shaun Reece’s side on Saturday though, as the Panthers were downed by Brimsdown.

The afternoon got off to a positive start for Enfield when they took the lead inside five minutes through Richard Ennin, but the game was turned on its head within 10 minutes following two defensive lapses.

There was no further score in the first half but it didn’t take long for Brimsdown to add to their tally after the break, only for Kennedy to reduce the deficit to 3-2.

However, as Borough threw men forward, they were caught out and another goal for the hosts saw it finish 4-2 in their favour.