However, Dulwich had their fair share of chances early on in this encounter only to see the magnificent goalkeeping of Ben de la Fuente, keeping the scores level. After around twenty five minutes Wingate were rewarded for their good start, as a fine five man passing move, culminated in Charlie Cannell sliding a perfectly weighted ball into the path of LEE ROSAMOND, who coolly slotted home to put Wingate into a well deserved lead. Ten minutes later, the scores were level after a set piece was only partially cleared by Wingate, and the ball fell on the edge of the area to a Dulwich player, who struck the ball seemingly against a team-mates’ arm and beyond the reach of the helpless de la Fuente to bring the home side level in dubious fashion, as the Wingate appeals were turned down by the officials.

The Wingate and Finchley youth side ensured that they would go in ahead at the interval, when, after 40 minutes another fine Wingate move down the left hand side, with some good play between Jimmy Lawler and Alfie Bartram, resulting in the latter whipping in a brilliant cross into the box for JAMES GERSHFIELD to coolly strike the ball beyond the Hamlet goalkeeper. Wingate continued where they left off in the second half producing some quality football in the process, with the defence coping ably with the threat of the Dulwich strikers. Sam Kaye in particular at the heart of the defence was outstanding whilst making only his third start in Wingate colours.

Wingate then added to their lead ten minutes into the second period when a super ball from Joe Killingback, released Gershfield, whose shot was saved by the Dulwich goalkeeper, only for the rebound to fall to LEE ROSAMOND, who again showed his composure in front of goal to place the ball into the back of the net and add to his impressive goal scoring record of five goals in just three games. The home side then began to inflict a fair amount of pressure on the Wingate goal, and on one such occasion from a corner, the ball fell to the Dulwich striker who slot across goal into the far corner to reduce the deficit by making it 3-2, ensuring a tense and nervy last 15 minutes for the away side.

Wingate were able to hold on, with some more fine goalkeeping from Ben de la Fuente, who saved multiple goal bound efforts in that period, along with some equally important defending from the brilliant Kaye. This was an extremely encouraging performance from the young Wingate side, as they put in a marvellous team performance, which showed massive amounts of potential for the future. The Wingate youth team are next in action on Tuesday 14th November at the Abrahams Stadium against Ruislip Manor in the Middlesex Youth Cup at 7.45 pm.

Team: 1. Ben de la Fuente, 2. David Cohen, 3. Jimmy Lawler (sub 75 mins Joe Rickwood) (, 4. Myles Beerman (capt), 5. Sam Kaye, 6. Danny Glaude, 7. Joe Killingback (sub 65mins Lee Flavin), 8. Charlie Cannell, 9. James Gershfield (sub 85 mins Daniel Green), 10. Lee Rosamond, 11. Alfie Bartram. Unused sub: Sean Daly.