After a quiet start with the sides testing each other out but without troubling either keeper it was the visitors who thought they had scored twice in a minute but both times the post denied them. It was with four minutes of the half to go when James Tatham struck a low effort only for Thompson to divert the effort onto the post and to safety, then from the very next attack Thompson was beaten again as Owen Paynter saw his curling effort slam back off the inside of the post across the face of goal and to safety. Seconds later and Jirka Houdek freed Dean Williams who was played onside by the Bury fullback and his cut back found CRAIG ELLIS who drove home.

Wingate & Finchley continued to surge forward at the start of the second half and by playing the ball on the ground were able to beat the fierce wind allowing Williams to create a chance for Joe O’Brien who was denied by Calton who then saved from Craig Ellis. With 63 minutes gone a superb passing movement combining one and two touch football saw the visitors cut the hosts to shreds but the final effort went just wide. With the wind gusting the Blues were finding the conditions working against them but still created chances with Williams rounding Calton but the ball ran away and from his cross George could only hit his effort at Calton who then gave Thompson a worry as a long drop kick carried on the wind and appeared to have caught Thompson out but an outstretched arm kept the Blues ahead. With the game into the last three minutes Thompson stood up well to deny Paynter before with the home fans baying for the final whistle Thompson dived to his right and turned a goal bound effort behind, this was a save worthy of the top keepers and ensured the Blues victory.

Wingate & Finchley: Ed Thompson 9; Jirka Houdek 7; Guy Helman 7; Craig Ellis 7(Captain); Ahmet Rifat 7; Billy Amarteifio 7; Mark Gradosielski 7 (Darren Assiamah 70); Joe O’Brien 7; Dean Williams 7 (Tashan Bradshaw-Brown 80); Kevin George 7; Leon Osei 7(Theo Davis 65 7). Subs not used: Daniel Stanton; Chris West.