Wingate & Finchley played their best football of the season in a game that even at this early stage of the season was a six pointer and were rewarded for their football with a deserved victory which but for the heroics of visiting keeper Darren Gould would have been by a greater margin than three.

From the off the Blues were dominant with Joe O’Brien and Craig Ellis dominating the midfield, from an early Craig Ellis pass Daniel Stanton whipped in a low cross which Gould grabbed off the toes of Chris West minutes later Gould was in the thick of the action as Leon Wilson crashed a fierce drive goal wards but Gould made the save. On 19 minutes Wingate & Finchley thought they had the lead as from a Limbrick lay ball Joe O’Brien fired goal wards unfortunately the ball came off Guy Helman in an offside position and the goal was ruled out. Six minutes later and it looked as though Maldon were going to take the lead as a cross from the right reached Steve Wareham who low headed seemed destined for the bottom corner until Ed Thompson produced a save reminiscent of Gordon Banks in the 1970 World Cup to push the ball over the top.

Two minutes before the break Chris West who is fitting into the side really well cushioned the ball to JOE O’BRIEN who controlled and turned before rifling the ball beyond the reach of Gould for his first goal in Wingate & Finchley colours. Where the first half had been hectic the second half took time to get going and Ed Thompson was the first into action saving a Steve Wareham shot before on the hour mark the Blues got the second goal they deserved as a Daniel Stanton cross found Chris West who laid the ball back to ANTHONY LIMBRICK who exquisitely lobbed Gould from the angle of the area. Wingate substitute Dean Williams then showed his marker a clean pair of heels and his cross dipped onto the roof of the bar but Maldon were able to clear.

The scoring was completed for the Blues seven minutes from time when a Jirka Houdek throw allowed Danny Berg to surge into the area, his run was ended when he was hauled down allowing DEAN WILLIAMS to drill home the penalty and seal a well deserved Blues win.

Wingate & Finchley:- Ed Thompson 8; Jirka Houdek 7; Guy Helman 8; Craig Ellis 8(Captain); Darren Assiamah 7; Guy Morris 7; Daniel Stanton 7 (Danny Berg 78 7); Joe O’Brien 8; Leon Wilson 8 (Dean Williams 64 7); Chris West 8 (Kevin George 80 n/a); Anthony Limbrick 8. Subs not Used - Stephen Badu; Leon Osei