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With a new managerial team of Michael Stone and Lionel Morgan taking charge of Wingate & Finchley for the first time, the Blues played their first game in a fortnight against local rivals Potters Bar Town. Potters Bar had made a satisfactory start to the season and were sitting four places above the blues in the table.
The visitors created the first chance of the game as Danny Charge found himself in space in the Wingate area and struck a shot first time but David Lovell spread himself well and excellently saved with is outstretched foot.
The game looked to be very open as the hosts carved out a golden chance at the other end in the 10th minute. A cross from the right was flicked on by Hussein Isa right at the feet of Lee Jay. He sent a first time volley heading straight for the top corner but Ashlee Jones leapt well and tipped the ball wide at full stretch.
The game was very even and competitive as both sides defended solidly and stuck to the rigid formations, determined not to give anything away cheaply at the back. Both sets of defences were successful at this as the score was goalless at the break, although Getro Kilapi could well have given Potters Bar the lead when he blazed wildly over from 10 yards.
The second half was extremely stagnant as both sides struggled to get any fluid attacking movement together. The defences stuck to their jobs well and chances were few and far between. James Gershfield was brought on for the home side to add some pace to the Wingate & Finchley wings, and Daniel Clarke was brought on to add some strength up front.
Having scored two long range goals already this season, Joe O’Brien attempted a spectacular 40 yard effort, however Ashlee Jones was equal to the task and held onto the fierce shot.
Wingate & Finchley were enjoying playing the tactic of two up front, with the taller striker heading a crossed ball down to the other. This came close to reaping rewards for the second time in the game when Craig Faulconbridge set up Isa perfectly but he could not connect with the shot on his left foot and Jones gathered easily.
The Blues laid siege on the Potters Bar defence for the final 5 minutes but could not create any further chances and the game ended in a fair stalemate.
Wingate & Finchley: David Lovell, Marc Weatherstone, Billy Amarteifio, Shola Oyadele, Bobby Aisen, Dan Stanton (Daniel Clarke 66), Joe O’Brien, Danny Berg (Elvis Balic 78), Lee Jay (James Gershfield 46), Craig Faulconbridge, Hussein Isa. Subs: Denis Paratusic, Ahmadou Seye. |