Outfield player Guy Morris was therefore appointed to guard the goal, an ominous task given the circumstances. Based though on our two previous performances, three points from each, the team approached the game full of confidence. The game started at a tremendous pace with Wivenhoe forcing the first free kick after one minute which was well cleared by Wingate and Finchley. In the third minute the Blues, in all yellow, pressed forward and after good work by Daniel Clarke a well produced cross from him was well cleared by the home defence. The first corner of the game fell to the Essex side, and well punched away by stand-in keeper Guy Morris. In the eighth minute Joe O’Brien fed the ball through to Daniel Clarke wide on the left. His shot was parried on to the post by home keeper Ollie Sanders who then collected the rebound. Seconds later good tem work from Danny Berg and Matthew Batt resulted in a great last ditch tackle on Berg resulting in a corner for Wingate.

In the 12th a poor goalkick from Guy Morris straight to a home forward whose shot lobbed over keeper Morris and over the bar. Wingate continued to pile on the pressure and in the 16th a cross swung low in to the box by Joe O’Brien found Matthew Batt whose shot went inches wide. Then followed a long hopeful shot from Wivenhoe well saved by Guy Morris. Then some poor defending by Wingate with a Billy Amarteifio header going just wide of his own keeper. The game now swung from one end with chances falling to both sides. Finally the deadlock was broken. Dreadful defending by the Blues and with Guy Morris well off his line Stafford Browne coolly lobbed in to an empty net from twenty-five yards for Wivenhoe to open their account after twenty seven minutes. Wingate continued to pressurise with Daniel Clarke taking a poke at the target which was deflected for a corner.

Further pressure from Wingate led tp Guy Helman shooting well over in the 35th. The game continued to swing back and forth and Daniel Clarke continued to be a danger up front. Just before the break Clarke played a beautiful through ball to Matthew Batt who continued racing in to the home half only to be pulled down in the box. A penalty was awarded to Wingate – keeper Guy Morris coolly placed the ball to the right of keeper Sanders to level the score.

In to the second period and Mark Gradosielski replaced Danny Berg from the start. Wingate went close in the 53rd – Mark Gradosielski delivered over to captain Craig Ellis whose header went wide. Three minutes later Joe O’Brien battled well to win the ball, fed it to Daniel Stanton whose shot was deflected for a corner. Nothing resulted but at the other end Guy Morris made a great blocking save, the ball having been cleared upfield. Wivenhoe went close in the 58th as keeper Guy Morris missed a cross with a header going wide. In the 71st the hosts went close again with a shot rebounding off the bar. Despite the heat the game continued at a fast pace and credit to both sides. With thirteen minutes remaining Wivenhoe regained the lead.

The Blues only half cleared and Stafford Browne put the ball in the net from close range. In the 79th Chris West and Leon Osei replaced Matthew Batt and Danny Berg and in the last ten minutes Wingate dominated proceedings searching out the equaliser with Chris West, Leon Osei and Joe O’Brien going close but to no avail. The better side lost – Wingate creating far more chances.

Wingate and Finchley ;- Guy Morris, Mark Weatherstone, Guy Helman, Craig Ellis (c), Billy Amarteifio, Darren Assiamah, Daniel Berg (Mark Gradosielski 46), Joe O’Brien, Matthew Batt (Leon Osei 79), Daniel Clarke, Daniel Stanton (Chris West 79).