Kingstonian preview

Wingate & Finchley host Kingstonian on Tuesday evening off the back of securing a late, dramatic 1-1 draw with Saturday’s opposition, Lowestoft Town. As aforementioned, a Sean Cronin header in the 89th minute helped The Blues to a share of the spoils, whereas Kingstonian will themselves be coming into the game on a high following taking all three points against Canvey Island at the Prospects Stadium. Aaron Lamont followed by a match-winning goal by danger-man Pelayo Pico Gomez saw The K’s overtake Wingate after nine games played each – though both team’s have the same amount of points, sitting with 11. It’s still too early in the season to be concerned about where you currently find yourself in the league table, though both will know the competition is tough and will want to start as they mean to carry on. You can’t separate either side with both having a turbulent start. Three wins, two draws and four defeats each, with the visitors only sitting above due to their better goal difference of only two goals. They’ve had somewhat indifferent results away from their Kingsmeadow home ground. From six games in all competitions they’ve won two – their other coming against Staines Town. Subsequently, losing four with their only draw coming in a 4-4 to early front-runners, Leiston. Keith Rowland will be able to call upon Ahmet Rifat again following his suspension which denied him to play at the weekend, and will bring a huge boost as the North Finchley outfit look to get back to winning ways – as they go on the trail to pick up some home form. From five games, the home faithful have only been able to celebrate one win, taking the bragging rights against Hendon. Last season Kingstonian took the majority of the victories - a 2-1 loss in the league followed a heartbreaking 2-2 draw, 4-2 penalty shootout defeat in the league cup semi-final when striker, Rob Laney, had to go in goal for large periods of the game. Nevertheless, a double from last season’s top scorer, Billy Healey, helped Wingate secure all three points in a 2-1 win at the then named Harry Abrahams Stadium. With the likes of Healey and Cronin on form scoring goals, and with nothing to separate the two teams, the fixture has all the makings of a thrilling 90-minutes of football. By Khalid Karimullah