Wingate & Finchley bounced back from Saturday’s defeat with a fully deserved win over Ilford, a win which means the Blues have taken 9 points out of the last possible 12. The game started at a frantic pace, and after Ilford keeper James Marrable had made an excellent save from a fierce Mus Dumbuya shot in the opening stages, the Blues took the lead in only the 7th minute. Craig Ellis played a low ball from the half-way line up to Daniel Clarke. He turned so that he was side-on to goal and from 18 yards sent a rasping shot across the helpless Marrable. Clarke was sent through again in the left side of the area and had a golden chance to double his tally, but hooked shot wide from 10 yards when he seemed certain to score. Wingate & Finchley continued to dominate the proceedings through the half, as the midfield controlled possession of the ball and the defensive unit refused to allow Ilford’s lone striker a chance to keep the ball. However for all of the home side’s possession, Ilford came extremely close to a shock equaliser five minutes before the break - when Richard Simpson sent a free header powerfully over the crossbar from a corner. The second half continued in the same manner as the first as the home side created another good chance. When Clarke broke free from the defence, Marrable came off his line well forced him wide. Clarke lost his shooting chance and was only able to square the ball to Joe O’Brien who set up Craig Ellis but his side-footed effort was low and wide. As they did in the first half, the Blues then scored early in the second period. A free kick was lofted into the box and not cleared. The ball fell kindly to centre-back Shola Oyedele who lashed it home from 15 yards out. Almost instantaneously the victory was seemingly sealed as the hosts scored a third goal. A quick counter-attack across the field left Marc Weatherstone in acres of space down the right flank. He crossed low and Clarke was on hand to tap in at the far post to secure his brace. The Blues were now deservedly three goals clear, and began to ease off the pedal and instead of taking risks and going for further chances, started playing neat passing football to keep the ball. Substitute James Gershfield sent a drive from the edge of the area but Marrable stood firm and parried the ball away to safety. Ilford pulled two goals back in the closing stages with a double from Moses Jjunju. In the 80th minute a Julian Edwards cross from deep found Jjunju and he volleyed the ball home first time. He scored again four minutes later from the penalty spot after Gavin King was harshly adjudged to have brought him down with an outstretched arm. After a nervous closing six minutes the Blues managed to hold on to the fully deserved win. Wingate & Finchley: Gavin King, Marc Weatherstone, Guy Helman, Craig Ellis, Shola Oyedele, James Cole, Mus Dumbuya, Ahma Seye (Elvis Balic 75), Daniel Clarke (James Gershfield 55), Tashan Bradshaw-Brown (Hussein Isa 63), Joe O’Brien. Subs: Bobby Aisien, Calvin Petrie.