Bognor Regis Town preview

Wingate & Finchley welcome Bognor Regis Town to the Harry Abrahams Stadium on Saturday afternoon in search of their first win under newly assigned manager, Keith Rowland. After the League Cup quarter-final against Enfield was postponed for a second time in a week, the Blues squad will be coming into this game having had a much needed break. You wouldn't have argued with any Wingate fan who thought it was a guaranteed home win with Lewes coming to visit in their last outing, however the spectacle didn't turn out that way after Rowlands side needed a late Billy Healey penalty to secure a point in a 1-1 draw with the bottom placed team. However, after losing three consecutive games beforehand, the point could be a vital stimulus for the North Finchley outfit as they look to continue their push for a play-off spot. The away side travel to Summers Lane in full confidence, having won both of their respective fixtures since the Blues last played. A 2-1 FA Trophy win over Altrincham in midweek followed a 2-0 victory against VCD Athletic, both coming at Nyewood Lane. Sitting just one place outside of a play-off position in sixth, and with games in hand over the teams above them, the visitors should prove to be a dangerous test. From 26 games, The Rocks have accumulated 47 points, and hold a record of fourteen wins, seven defeats, and five draws. Going forward, there is not much between the two sides, as the visitors have scored 47, which is only one more than their hosts. However, it is defensively where Bognor have been stronger, having conceded eight less than Wingate. As so many games in this league have proved so far this season, this game will be decided on which defensive unit remains more resolute. Five of Bognor's seven defeats have come on the road this season and Rowland can be confident of his side keeping up their own strong home record. Wingate find themselves in 10th, however the table could show a very different reading come 5pm on Saturday, as a win will see them climb within just one point of their opposition. Last seasons results between the two sides saw both home fans go home delighted. Wingate fell to a 3-2 away defeat at the Nyewood Stadium, before a dominant display in Finchley saw the Blues hit Bognor for four, in a 4-1 win. A player who needs no introduction in this league, and who scored in both fixtures, is Tommy Tejan-Sie, who will be looking to add to his tally against Jamie Howell's side. With both teams eager to get a psychological edge over the other in the heated race for a play-off spot, both sets of supporters should be in for an intriguing and entertaining game. Preview by Khalid Karimullah