Report:

Thanks to manager Dave Normans’ associations with North Wales, Wingate and Finchley travelled the furthest they have ever been in recent years, for a match with Welsh Premier League side Prestatyn Town, and came away with their heads held high having controlled the middle of the park particularly in the second period.

Considering the four hour journey in the morning of the game from North London, and no competitive game for almost three months, they proved that once again, they will be a force to be reckoned with this season in the Ryman North Division.

After a quarter of an hour, Mark Weatherstone sent a lashing thirty yarder inches over the bar from his right wing position, and three minutes later keeper Gavin King stuck his foot out to stop a powerful drive having had little to do up to then.

In the very windy and sometimes wet conditions Prestatyn, used to the north Wales weather, gradually came good and again attempted to test Gavin King and, with only the Blues keeper to beat, the ball was scythed over the bar.

Again, a Weatherstone cannon drive, having picked up a cross field pass from Joe O’Brien, recently re-signed from Potter Bar, and fed on by Leon Smith.  Alfie Bartram was excelling on the left and supplied many balls forward for the two front runners, Smith and Chris Chase.

Just before the break a stupendous save from Gavin King from a three man Welsh break, followed by yet another attempt at the target from Weatherstone  which went over, courtesy of Jordan Fowler and James Edgerley.

Minutes into the second half, Leon Smith hit the post from a forward pass from Ahmet Rifat, and again Leon Smith sent the ball just wide from Chris Chase, during which time Wingate were dominating. On the hour Keeper Gavin King made a brilliant save punching the ball behind from a thunderbolt attempt.

Again the forward duo of Chase and Smith came close, Chase hurtling down the left, on to Smith – again wide.

Newly signed Australian Jack Petrie, who has been with Kilmarnock, also fired wide.

The boys thoroughly deserved their night on the town in Chester, none the worst for wear the following morning.

Well done Dave Norman, for organising this ‘away weekend’, and ably helped by Wingate & Finchley’s new coach, Andy Zeller, who has joined us from Potters Bar.

.

Saturday 17th July 2010

Pre-Season Friendly

Prestatyn Town 0  Wingate & Finchley 0

HT 0-0

Attendance: 96