New manager Keith Rowlands Wingate and Finchley side face local rivals Enfield Town for the second time in as many weeks, with the pair meeting on Tuesday in the quarter final of the Ryman League Cup. Claudiu Vilcu secured a 2-1 win for Enfield with the last kick of the game when the sides met at the Harry Abrahams Stadium two weeks ago to the day. The first of three local derbies in the space of a month for the Blues, Billy Healey opened the scoring before two goals without reply in the second half from Enfield meant all three points went back with the Town. And Saturday 2nd of Januarys loss at Hendon followed a similar pattern. Storming into an early 2-0 lead, the Blues quickly took their foot off the gas and found themselves level at the break. And despite Dan Browns first Wingate goal giving them an early second half lead, a brace from Kezie Ibe condemned Simon Lanes men to a second successive derby defeat. Despite a constant flirtation with the playoff spots this season, Wingate have managed just one league win since the start of a turbulent December and it was announced on Sunday 3rd January that manager Simon Lane had left the club by mutual consent. Former Northern Ireland International defender Keith Rowland was swiftly drafted in to take the helm, but with Tuesdays fixture postponed and to be played this week, his first task was to oversee Wingates home tie against bottom placed Lewes on Saturday. Despite seeing his side concede early on and being treated to an impeccable display of goalkeeping from visiting stopper Chris Winterton, a late Healey penalty meant both sides left the game with a point, meaning Wingates search for a first win in 2016 continues. Enfields loss at Dulwich Hamlet means the teams head in to Tuesdays fixture level on points in the league but, as a cup match between local rivals, form will almost certainly go out the window.
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