A full football season has plenty of twists and turns for any team. The rollercoaster of emotions is what makes it such an intriguing game; the Blues will want the track to level out soon however following two defeats, going down 3-0 to Dulwich on Tuesday following Saturday’s defeat to Cray.
They will have also wanted to start Tuesday evening’s contest quickly, after allowing an early goal on Saturday that they were not able to overcome. They were disabused of that notion after only 3 minutes, however, as Anthony Jeffrey took advantage of a misplaced header in defence to bear down on goal and fire the ball low and hard and under Fergal Hale-Brown, starting in place of Goode in goal.
The Blues grew into the game from there, but were pegged back again by another ferocious strike, this time from Jerome Binnom-Williams, who lashed a strike across Hale-Brown and into the far corner of the net. His 23rd minute strike was the antidote to the pressure that was building on the Dulwich goal thanks to some fantastic chances.
Carvalho’s 20 yard strike was scooped off the line by the keeper diving away to his left, before Loic Hernandez (who later limped off injured) saw his attempt smothered as he advanced towards to goal.
Long and Carvalho combined really well in midfield, causing trouble for the Dulwich players, and looking a real threat on the quick break. After a few more half chances, the best Blues chance came on the stroke of half-time, as Chuks tried to backheel a cross slightly behind him into the net. It rebounded to an unmarked Elliot Long 6 yards out, but his shot was well saved by the keeper who made himself very large.
2-0 down at half-time, you felt there was still something to be gotten from the game, such was the quality of the chances that were being created. But changes made by the home side allowed them to sit on their lead for the second half. They were stronger, and able to control the game in the final 45, despite the toil of the men in Blue.
Neither side created too much, with the one chance falling to Manny Parry from a corner. He rose highest and extended the lead, putting to bed any idea of a comeback in one stroke.
Dulwich pick up the league double over the Blues this season, just as Cray did last week, with Tuesday’s result. Wingate will have the chance to complete their own double, as Lewes visit the Maurice Rebak Stadium on Saturday. It is an important game in the context of the season, and one you can be at. We’ll see you there!
Wingate & Finchley: Hale-Brown; Solomon (Seager 54’); Cracknell; Frimpong (Bani 60’); Frempah; Achuba; Garrett-Douglas; Carvalho; Chukwu; Long; Hernandez (Biler 30’)
Unused Subs: Newton; Krabbendam