Ilford boss Richard Ponsford admits they cannot wait for their FA Cup preliminary round tie with Enfield at Cricklefield Stadium on Saturday.

The Foxes experienced mixed fortunes in the Essex Senior League over the past seven days, losing a nine-goal thriller to White Ensign at the weekend but beating Barking 2-0 on Monday.

Islington Gazette: Harry Rawlins scores the first goal for Ilford against BarkingHarry Rawlins scores the first goal for Ilford against Barking (Image: ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468)

And Ponsford says that derby success has significantly improved the mood as they change focus back to knockout football.

Islington Gazette: Ilford's Harry Rawlins celebrates scoring against BarkingIlford's Harry Rawlins celebrates scoring against Barking (Image: ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468)

"We want to make Cricklefield a bit of a fortress and that is now fresh in our minds for Saturday, with confidence fully restored," he said.

"August has been huge from my point of view, unrelenting, but we're creating an environment at home. We've had five games on the trot in a short space of time and sometimes it's nice to go away and take the pressure off.

"But we can't wait for Saturday. Enfield are big spenders, very fancied and a very strong outfit and we're under no illusions it will be very tough, it's a huge game."

Islington Gazette: Caleb Adomako-Mensah (right) celebrates scoring Ilford's second goal against BarkingCaleb Adomako-Mensah (right) celebrates scoring Ilford's second goal against Barking (Image: ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468)

Ilford had won their first two matches under Ponsford, at Stanway on the opening day of the league season and against Sawbridgeworth in the last round of the FA Cup.

But they were brought back down to earth by Ensign.

"I made changes with one eye on Monday and the FA Cup but they shouldn't weaken us. It took away from our rhythm," added Ponsford.

Islington Gazette: Joe Lilly of Ilford goes close to a goal against BarkingJoe Lilly of Ilford goes close to a goal against Barking (Image: ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468)

"It wasn't particularly bad in an attacking sense but defensively, there were too many errors and it was a bit of a freak that we gave them five chances and they scored five.

"There were a couple of good goals and fair play, they had a good game plan, slowed us down and caused problems."

Islington Gazette: Mitchell McCabe wins a header for Ilford against BarkingMitchell McCabe wins a header for Ilford against Barking (Image: ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468)

Joe Lilly netted from the spot to open Ilford's account, with Mitch McCabe grabbing their second just before the break to raise hopes.

"To go 3-0 down, but get back to 3-2 at half-time I said 'nothing away' and still fancied us," said Ponsford.

"But we went 4-2 down five minutes later, an error at the back post, lazy defending.

"The water break came at a handy time and we hit the bar, the post and had three good chances from eight yards go over. On another day we scored seven!

"Then in the 92nd minute we get to 4-4 and look like we've got a point and you want to be more alert from the restart than to concede a corner and not mark at the near post."

Harry Rawlins and Caleb Adomako-Mensah, with a last-minute header, looked to have snatched a point but the visitors won it with virtually the last kick of the game.

Ilford bounced back 48 hours later, though, as first-half goals from Rawlins and Adomako-Mensah proved enough to see off Barking.

"Saturday was the kick up the backside we needed and on Monday we had that defensive mindset and were exemplary the whole game," said Ponsford.

"We showed resilience, strength and our mentality collectively was sensational, we were faultless.

"Barking could have been out there all night I don't think they would've scored."