| Wingate & Finchley’s hopes of a run in the FA Trophy were ended by near neighbours and Southern League Premier Division side Northwood.
It was the visitors who dominated the opening ten minutes with Wingate & Finchley struggling to make an impact on proceedings but then the Blues took a stranglehold on the game and an excellent move involving Daniel Stanton and Jirka Houdek ended with debutant Joe O’Brien blazing his effort over the bar before on 18 minutes Mark Nicholls who joined Northwood after spells at Uxbridge and Chelmsford after his time at Chelsea crossing to YIADOM YEBOAH who controlled the ball before turning his marker and firing a shot beyond the reach of Matt Davis in the Blues goal.
The Blues had a chance to level just before the break when a Guy Morris header went wide of the post but the visitors went in a goal to the good.
What the first half lacked in action the second half more than made up for as with five minutes of the restart Warner battled his way into the Wingate & Finchley area but the Blues defence cleared the danger whilst at the other end the returning Watson was able to deal comfortably with a Limbrick effort as the Blues surged forward for an equaliser. Fifteen minutes from time Matt Davis made a fine low save to deny Dean Clark after a ball into him from Warner. The last ten minutes saw Northwood on the back foot as a Craig Ellis shot went inches wide before good work from Dean Williams allowed Chris West an effort that went over the top.
Seven minutes from time Peter Dean for Northwood tried to walk the ball into the net but Billy Amartiefio dealt with the danger and his clearance allowed Dean Williams a run on goal which was ended by a trip but the Blues wasted the resulting free kick. The goal hero from Wingate’s last game at the Abrahams Stadium, Jirka Houdek tried from distance but as had been the story of the game the ball would not go into the net, thus it’s Northwood who progress whilst the Blues can concentrate on their league form.
Wingate & Finchley:- Matt Davis 7; Jirka Houdek
7; Guy Helman 7; Guy Morris 7, Craig Ellis 7 (Captain); Billy Amarteifio
7; Daniel Stanton 6 (Leon Osei 66 6); Joe O’Brien 7; Dean Williams
7; Jamie Hazell 6(Chris West 66 6); Anthony Limbrick 6 (Leon Wilson 66
6). Subs not used; Jonathan Ellis; Danny Berg.
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