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Wingate & Finchley entertained high flying Dartford today infront of a large crowd of 280 predominantly built up by the very large Dartford following. Conditions were perfect for football. Wingate & Finchley on the back of 4 wins from the last 5 matches entered the game full of confidence for a match against one of the favourites for promotion.
The first 15 minutes was predominantly played in midfield with no chances being created by either team.
In the 15th minute Dartford were awarded a throw in half way in the Wingate & Finchley half and for a split second the blues seemed to lose their concentration. From the throw in the ball was crossed finding the head of Dartford's CASS, who unchallenged, headed the ball into the net for the opening goal.
Wingate & Finchley increased their work rate and were now having the larger share of the possession and in the 24th minute after some fine work from Daniel Clarke on the right, who then found Joe o'Brien in space, unfortunately Joe's shot was well off target.
Wingate & Finchley continued to dominate, but were almost caught out in the 29th minute when another cross came over which was headed in but disallowed for offside.
In the 32nd minute a wonderful weaving run from Mustapha ended with his shot being deflected for a corner.
In the 34th minute Daniel Clarke was found with a lot of space but his fine shot was well saved by the Dartford keeper and went for a corner. From this corner Mustapha was found in space but his first time shot just went wide.
At this stage it looked odds on that Wingate & Finchley were favourites to score the next goal but in the 44th minute disaster struck. Dartford whom had hardly been in the Wingate & Finchley half for the previous 15 mins, were awarded a free kick on the left half way into the Wingate & Finchley half. The ball was beautifully floated into the area and Dartford's MAY rose well to head the ball into the net for Dartford's second.
HALF TIME: WINGATE & FINCHLEY 0 DARTFORD 2
Wingate & Finchley now had their work cut out in the 2nd half to recover from a 0-2 deficit but noone could fault them for effort. In the 49th minute after some early second half pressure from Dartford, Wingate & Finchley were awarded a cornerthat produced a goal mouth scramble, but the ball would just not run Wingate's way and finally was cleared by the panicked Dartford defence.
The game was becoming a very open affair with Wingate now throwing many bodies forward in search of a goal that would bring them back into this match. Even though there was a lot of attractive football being played by both sides few chances were were being created.
In the 65th minute after further fine work from Mustapha on the right, Joe o' Brien received the ball but his firm shot was well saved by the Dartford keeper.
Game continued to be played at a fast pace with Wingate & Finchley winning the possession stakes in this 2nd half. Tashan went close in the 82nd minute and in the 89th minute after some very neat work by Daniel Clarke a further goalmouth scramble ensued but the ball was finally cleared by a very relieved Dartford defence.
Final whistle blew, Dartford had won on the day. Wingate & Finchley though had no reason to be down after this defeat. Dartford will be at least in the play offs at the end of the season in my opinion, but I am also confident that Wingate & Finchley will be up there challenging also.
1 GAVIN KING
2 MARK WEATHERSTONE
3 GUY HELMAN
4 CRAIG ELLIS
5 BOBBY AISEN
6 JAMES COLE
7 MUSTAPHA DUMBAYA ( JAMES
GERSHFIELD 67 MINS)
8 AHMADOU SEYE ( DALE ARCHER
55 MINS)
9 DANIEL CLARKE
10 TASHAN BRADSHAW BROWNN
11 JOE 0' BRIEN
SUBS
12 DALE ARCHER
17 HUSSEIN ISA
14 JAMES GERSHFIELD
15 ELVIS BALIC
16 DANNY BERG | |