| With both these sides having been out of action for well over a month fitness was always going to be the telling factor at The Abrahams Stadium where Alan Mitchell had worked hard to get the game on.
The Blues began strongly and took the lead on 12 minutes when JAMES GERSHFIELD who has been scoring for fun this season ran on and drove in a hard drive beyond the reach of Ladyman in the Northwood goal.
This goal stung Northwood into action and from a diagonal ball Chris White drove an effort that De La Fuente who was the busier of the keepers saved well as he did on numerous other occasions in the first half to keep the Blues in the game. De La Fuente was able to keep acurling effort from Chris White then on 44 minutes an exquisite flick from Ben Trout released Chris White for what looked like a routine finish, but unfortunately Chris lost balance at the crucial moment and the ball was scrambled clear. One minute later and another driving run by Ben Trout through the right channel ended with a quality cross. Jack Bennett was unlucky when the keeper saved his well struck side-foot volley,
Thirteen minutes into the second half LEE ROSAMOND beat the visiting offside trap and rifled an effort beyond Ladyman to double the Blues lead but then disaster for the Blues as a series of substitutions by the visitors completely changed the course of the game as on 72 minutes STUART ONSLOW left De La Fuente standing with a fierce drive, this goal deflated the Blues and six minutes later the scores were level as BEN TROUT fired home from 25 yards. There was now going to be only one winner and when MICKELE THOMAS showed the Blues defence a clean pair of heels he gave the visitors the lead and the final goal came with seconds remaining from BEN TROUT who slammed the ball in of the bar. Northwood progress to the semi-finals where they will play Staines Town and the Blues return to League action against Cockfosters next week.
WINGATE & FINCHLEY:- Ben De La Fuente; Samuel Kaye; James Lawlor (Josh Newman 83); Myles Beerman (Captain); Myles Anderson; Daniel Glaude(Lee Flavin 70); Joseph Killingback (Greg Lautman 56); Charles Cannell; James Gershfield; Lee Rosamond; Jeremy Julius.
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