Wingate & Finchley made a swift return to league action after their long trip to Bury Town on Saturday welcoming Ryman League newcomers Canvey Island to the Abrahams Stadium and the Blues picked up their first point of the season which in the first half seemed highly unlikely but a much improved second half saw the Blue collect a point. On the back of their four goal victory over Flackwell Heath on Saturday Canvey Island were quick to show their ability and after only five minutes Ryan Edgar pounced on a loose ball and forced Ed Thompson into action, two minutes later and yet more pressure from the “Gulls” resulted in a succession of corners and an effort that went just wide of the post.  It took until just before the midway point of the half for the Blues to launch a telling attack which resulted in a corner swung over by Daniel Stanton to John Nichols whose shot was blocked by the Canvey defence and then Stanton freed Dean Williams who sped away and was about to shoot when excellent covering defence snuffed out the chance. 

However, Canvey were soon back in control and Thompson was forced into a fine block and then the follow up effort ricochet behind for another corner which the massed ranks in Blue dealt with comfortably.  Nine minutes from the break a Wingate & Finchley played route one football with a long Thompson clearance flicked on by Simon Patterson to Dean Williams who lifted his effort over Wiseman but onto the roof of the net. Whatever Adam Lee and Michael Stone said during the break had the desired effect on the Blues who came out and dominated the second half.  It took only six minutes for Ahmet Rifat to paly a great ball into the feet of Dean Williams but Wiseman in the visiting goal was able to smother the effort. 

The Blues sensed a goal was coming and a well worked corner between Daniel Stanton and Darren Spinks ended with Wiseman making a smart save at his near post.  Dean Williams now back to his best after a series of injuries last season was causing havoc in the visiting defence and when a Jonathan Ellis throw was helped on by Patterson it was Williams who was on the end but again he found the roof of the net.  With under 20 minutes left Canvey surged forward but were denied by brilliant defensive work from Jonathan Ellis, Billy Amarteifio and Ahmet Rifat. Before with 12 minutes left the home fans were getting ready to celebrate as Dean Williams found Craig Scotcher whose cross allowed Adam Stolerman to rise above the full back and direct his header against the cross bar with Wiseman beaten but at the final whistle a draw was the outcome and the Blues can look forward to welcoming Aveley to the Abrahams Stadium on Saturday.

WINGATE & FINCHLEY:- Ed Thompson 8; Jonathan Ellis 7; Joe Faulkner 6 (Jirka Houdek 46 7); Craig Ellis 7; Billy Amarteifio 9; Ahmet Rifat 8; Daniel Stanton 6; John Nichols 6 (Adam Stolerman 68 7); Dean Williams 7; Simon Patterson 6 ( Craig Scotcher 70 6); Darren Spinks 6.  Subs not used:- Darren Assiamah; Danny Berg.